all about Paula
Mary Joel founder and author, Paula Bolanle Sofowora, is a barrister with a passionate interest in education, inclusion, diversity, equality, corporate social responsibility, social justice, and giving back to the community. She started life in the UK with both her biological Nigerian family and white foster family. She attended a private boarding school in Sussex aged 6 before moving to Nigeria aged 10. Her childhood has significantly influenced the woman she is today, especially her interest in inclusion, equality, and giving back.
While employed by Zurich Insurance (UK), a multinational insurer, in addition to providing her primary legal services, Paula was involved in several initiatives. She is most proud of two in particular: establishing and coordinating a lunchtime reading scheme at a local primary school in Tower Hamlets and establishing Zurich UK’s first multicultural employee resource group. Paula is married with two adult sons and, amongst other things, enjoys travelling, trekking, birdwatching, volunteering, reading, and writing. She has self-published six multicultural children’s books.
“Mary and Joel were my parents’ Christian names. Our business name had to be meaningful to us, easy to pronounce, and have a nice ring to it. Mary and Joel are biblical names. We also like the fact that our business name conveys something entirely different from what one would normally expect – which is exactly what Mary Joel is about. Sometimes, it will simply not do to judge a book by its cover!”
— Paula Bolanle Sofowora
The Challenge
The 2019/20 population in UK state-funded primary schools was 4,714,771.[1]
35% or 1,650,169.85 of these were from a minority ethnic background.
Of the 6478 children’s books published in the UK in 2019, only 10.5% featured Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic characters.[2]
And in only 5% of these books were they the main character.
The three-year average of children’s books published in the UK featuring a BAME character is a paltry 7%.
[1]https://explore-education-statistics.service.gov.uk/find-statistics/school-pupils-and-their-characteristics
[2] Centre for Literacy in Primary Education (CLPE)2019 Reflecting Realities Report
[3] Rethinking Diversity in Publishing Report, June 2020
The solution
Mary Joel believes that access to more books that reflect our diverse society will ensure that:
No child ever feels isolated or alone.
Children of BAME descent can embrace their cultural heritage as well as the culture where they live.
Children of non-BAME descent can gain an understanding of BAME countries and culture.
Business leaders have the power to influence the culture of their respective organisations and communities around the world.
Where and how you do business will determine the path of all your stakeholders, employees, customers, trustees, shareholders, and beneficiaries.
Have you reflected on the issue of diversity and inclusion within your organisation?
Are you challenging previous assumptions in this regard?
Are you changing behaviours?
And are you ready to take action?
If the answer to the above is YES, Mary Joel can help you, and at the same time, address the shortage of diverse books.
How you can make a difference
Become a Corporate Partner of Mary Joel, and support its mission to publish books for children and young people promoting BAME social and cultural diversity. Contact us to find out more.