Saying what needs to be said.

 
Who Is Carolynn?
An award-winning businesswoman, including British bookseller of the year 2023 and Brighton Business  2023.
Entrepreneur, speaker and event manager, Carolynn Bain has taken Brighton by storm. Her passion to see diversity in a city she loves dearly, and to change the narrative for many black and brown children, led her to create the award-winning bookshop Afrori Books in 2020, a store that specialises in books by black authors. Carolynn has featured as a pioneer on news channels like Sky, ITV, and the BBC, as well as creating Brighton’s first Anti-Racist Kids Club (ARK), which she delivers to schools across Sussex. 

Services

CONSULTING

CONSULTING

Working closely with organisations across the country including social services, educations bodies, health trusts, charities and corporations, offering advice and consultation services.

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HOSTING

HOSTING

Carolynn has delivered talks, workshops for adults and young people. She regularly covers issues such as racism, feminism, entrepreneurship, publishing, equity, leadership and anti-racism. She has hosted a variety of corporate and social events including Brighton’s black networking events and Shabaka’s international hackathon, She is also a freelance facilitator for anti-racist training and a panel member at several festivals and conferences.

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SPEAKER & PANELLIST

SPEAKER & PANELLIST

Carolynn has interviewed scores of authors and creatives and is praised for her ability to make guests feel welcome and not shy away from tough topics. In 2022 she collaborated with Resolve Art Collective and put on an exhibition based around black women in Brighton, hosting 2 nights to packed audiences. The show was a great success. Carolynn works closely with Picturehouse Cinema, Brighton & Sussex University, and Brighton Council, as well as delivering workshops and hosting events for The Pension Regulator, Brighton Book Festival, and national and international corporations. Carolynn is passionate about young people and equity for all and uses her voice and platform to speak out on injustice.

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Contact

  • Brighton, England, United Kingdom

Want to be a part of change? Let us help you on that journey. To find out how we can work together, contact us to set up a meeting.


Testimonials

     

 Carolynn Bain’s remarkable work serves as a reminder of how bookselling is not just a commercial enterprise but a powerful force for social justice and good. 

The Bookseller: Organisation  |  Find Out More
     

 Carolyn's workshops really grab students' attention. She brings a lot of positive energy to each session, making it enjoyable and engaging. Carolyn creates a comfortable space for students to discuss important topics openly. Many students have mentioned how much they've learned during these sessions and have even shared their experiences 

Maria: Teacher
     

 Carolynn is our local celebrity and the kids are engaged from the moment she begins the workshop. Carolynn has a wonderfully interactive, dynamic and captivating delivery style. We learn, we laugh, we love and we explore in a safe space. 

Teacher
     

 It is so important for children to learn about race and privilege - Carolyn's workshops are engaging and effective in showing how the publishing industry needs to do better, while also encouraging children to take solution-focused approaches to these issues. 

Teacher
     

 Carolynn has been an integral part of our Primary programmes this Autumn term. She has supplied engaging, fun and informative workshops and even an exciting trip to her shop. The young people have left inspired and motivated by the imbalances in the publishing industry Carolynn highlighted. Students who visited her shop were amazed by the space and by all the amazing books Afrori has to offer. Many of the students and teachers who worked with us mentioned Carolynn in their feedback. 

Jasmin: Into University
     

 For her tireless dedication to literary inclusivity, community engagement, and the celebration of diverse voices, Carolynn is deserving of the highest accolades. She is not just a bookseller; she is a vital force for positive change and an invaluable asset to our community. 

Adriana Lord: Multidisciplinary Artist
     

 Carolynn is a role model for the combination of community and business and will hopefully influence change around creating welcoming spaces everywhere for Black communities and authors. 

Althea Wolfe: Community partner