“Community is bringing people together for the same cause, that cause can be anything. It can be sports, politics or social issues. I think there has to be a cause and there has to be a common theme between the people that can bring people together. ”

Habiba Katsha is an influential writer, journalist and book lover. She can be described as a voice of a generation, as she doesn’t shy away from tackling important topics around race, gender, beauty and internet culture ,always with impact and depth. Habiba is one of the most authentic, transparent and bold journalists working today, consistently diving into conversations that many would avoid. With a 6-year journalism career under her belt, she has been featured in major publications such as British Vogue, Refinery29 UK, HuffPost UK, The Independent and ELLE Magazine, to name a few.

She’s gone viral on Twitter (formerly known as X) for her takes on Black culture and recently launched Congolese Roots - a community initiative that celebrates her heritage while building space for learning, connection and empowerment. In this conversation, Habiba takes BLK Brit on a journey through what first inspired her to pursue journalism, how she keeps her voice authentic, her approach to rising above criticism, the importance of community and how she writes the kind of articles her younger self would have loved to see.

What got you into journalism and what inspires your writing?

Funnily enough, when I was younger I wanted to be an actress, I just wanted to be an actress because I was so dramatic. I actually went to drama school and that was really hard. However, I've always been interested in the news and media. My mum literally said to me, you’re either going to be a journalist or a police officer because you ask me too many questions. When I was 15 she basically forced me to do a photo journalism course and I really enjoyed it. I didn’t initially want to go but that essentially sowed the seed. I then went to sixth form and studied communications, which is a study of media. In communications we learned about this theory called post colonial theory which is basically the way that black people have been represented post colonialism, which obviously wasn’t great. I said to myself I want to change this, or do something around that but I didn’t know it would be writing. So I studied International Media and Communications at University of Nottingham and I did everything from writing and also TV. I really wanted to do TV but that didn’t work out, so I started a blog and then I started writing for my student magazine and that’s how it all started.

That’s amazing. Your headlines and topics are very thought provoking and captivating, how do you remain authentic in regards to perspective?

That's an interesting question. I don't know how to write without being authentic. I think it comes natural to me, I really don't hold back. I just can't write without being authentic.

I like that answer short and sweet. Why do you think it's important for the stories that you are telling to be told?

I don’t feel like there’s enough people telling them. Also whenever I write, I always like writing things when I know that younger me would’ve been happy to see them. That’s my biggest thing, I'm like 'oh yeah she would’ve loved this'. When people come up to me saying 'thank you for writing this' or 'i’ve never seen this before' it reaffirms how there aren’t enough Black voices writing about gender, particularly Black women in the way that I do. I think it’s rare.

I really love how you mentioned your younger self. When I think about the media landscape back then compared to now, the change has been incredible, and it really shows just how important voices like yours are. So, You discuss very important topics particularly around issues with Black women; are you ever worried about the aftermath or any backlash you could possibly face?

Yes all the time, it's funny because there are so many topics I haven’t written about because I'm scared of receiving backlash, which is really bad, I have to push myself out of that mindset. However, for the most part, I haven’t received much critique, likely because of the nature of what I write, which often comes from personal experience and really, it would take a certain level of ignorance to disapprove. For example, my piece on Christianity and rape, if you have a negative opinion on that it says more about you. Another example was when I wrote two pieces on Diane Abbott last year, I got so much backlash for that particularly from white people which made me think this is crazy, many people came out of the woodworks and that’s never happened before. So yes, I do think about the aftermath and backlash of my writing a lot, as people can be very critical but you just have to think about the impact of the story even if people are going to criticise you.

How much does your faith impact your writing? Do you think it influences it at all?

Sometimes, well, actually a lot. Sometimes I think I could write about sex, but I'm not actually going to do that. But even that piece about Christianity and rape, I was really scared to post it but then it goes back to one of those pieces where I wish my younger self would have written or read. So many people came up to me and thanked me for that piece which made me underestimate the impact that my words can have.

Definitely! Describe what it's like being a Black British journalist in three words.

Powerful, exhausting, overlooked-

Okay, I mean, I love how you started with powerful. That was positive. You're keeping it real. What would you say are the key elements of curating a good, compelling story?

I would also bring a unique perspective, that's number one. I would also say a strong line, there has to be something in it that catches people's attention.

What does community mean and what does it look like to you?

Community is bringing people together for the same cause, that cause can be anything. It can be sports, politics or social issues. I think there has to be a cause and there has to be a common theme between the people that can bring people together.

As a society, do you think we could be more community driven? Or what areas do you think we're lacking in? Sometimes it feels like everyone has a little bit of an individualistic mindset. So I'd love to get your thoughts on that.

I agree. We always talk about how we don’t really have the kind of community our parents once had. I think a big part of that is the recession and the ongoing cost of living crisis, both of which can impact the community in so many ways. I do think we could be doing community better, but it’s hard to be more community-driven when people are being pushed into individualism by the government and the economic pressure we’re under. So yeah, it’s hard!

Yeah, no, I definitely agree. How would you describe the Black British experience, and what does it look like for you?

I would describe the Black British experience as an amalgamation of different communities coming together who have a firm sense of identity. Like being Black British is, I just made Jollof rice whilst listening to an Afrobeats mix, it’s speaking patois with your Jamaican friends, or saying Wallahi because you grew up with Somalis. I think that's what being Black British is.

I really loved how you put that because it’s so true! So moving on to your heritage, what inspired you to create Congolese Roots?

So many reasons, first of all I didn't grow up in a Congolese community, my family isn’t here it's just my mum and my sister. I don't have a whole lot of family here at all, so I've never really grown up around Congolese people. There are so many Congolese pop culture references that I don’t understand because I just wasn’t there. Number two, there’s an on going genocide in Congo and I felt like I wasn’t doing anything. My last reason is that the Congolese community don’t really come together unless it's for parties or dancing.

So when you posted your first event on TikTok did you anticipate that response, did you think it would reach so many people, were you nervous at all?

I was so nervous. I do still feel imposter syndrome sometimes because I don't feel Congolese enough, which is why I do it. I'm scared that people look at me and think 'Why is she doing it?' Because there are so many others that are probably more qualified. But what's that phrase? God doesn't call the qualified, He qualifies the called. I didn't expect it to blow up that way. I was even a bit exhausted. I said, What is going on here? But I feel like that just kind of shows that it is important, because we don't have many of those spaces. Someone even messaged me saying we need this in Australia. I said, well…

Do you ever feel like you underestimate your impact? Because sometimes when you say you're surprised I'm like, how?

I don't like to think of myself as, I guess, the person that I am. That would make me overthink the way that I post. If I realised over 800 people watched my story, it would prevent me from posting. Even when people come up to me I don’t want to make myself out to be a big deal, but I am starting to realise I need to own that a bit more because I realise I'm saying things and people are taking my word for it and I’m like, ‘Oh… yeah.’

The work you do is so needed, especially because Black journalists have traditionally been put into one box - so it’s genuinely inspiring. What more do you think the community could be doing to raise awareness about Congo?

I think it’s a difficult question because I think they have been doing it. It’s been happening for 30 years, people have been raising awareness. As the younger generation we need to do more to mobilise as a community, I think we need to come together and start organising and start reading and actually coming together and posting things outside of free Congo, as it sometimes can be quite generic.

What would the ideal landscape of the diaspora or even the way Congo is perceived look like for you?

Nuance, I don’t think there is any nuance. It’s either we are struggling, dying or dancing. There is no in between.

Wow the way you put that, struggling, dying or dancing-

There's nothing in between… It's weird. I don’t know if you feel like this, but I am a lot of my friends first Congolese person they’ve ever met, which kind of feels like a burden. I’ve had questions like what do Congolese people even eat? And I can’t believe we’re having those conversations because I would never ask a Nigerian this, because I know. So just more nuance as people don’t know anything about Congo. They don’t. But that’s not on us, that’s on them.

That's so profound, you said struggling, dying or dancing I can literally see those limiting categories. I think the work that you're doing for our generation especially, can definitely help. What pieces are you looking forward to, or what are you currently working on?

I have my day job as a tech reporter at POCIT, where I’m usually writing about Black businesses, seed funding and mostly American politics. I haven’t written freelance in a while, but I do want to eventually write something about why I left Black Twitter. Separately, seeing more Black women speak out about their abusers has really made me reflect. It's made me think a lot about how I wish I had reported mine. I also want to explore how often Black women end up protecting Black men.

I think that’s so interesting. I’m really looking forward to reading those pieces when they go live. I'd love to read it. So the next question coming at you quick and random is what’s one item or thing you absolutely couldn’t live without?

A lip product. I think it’s an OCD thing, I always have to have moisturised lips.

Any specific brand?

I actually started using Topicals but sometimes you can’t go wrong with Vaseline.

How was the shoot and what made you say yes to working with BLK Brit?

The shoot was great. I had so much fun. It was really nice meeting Buxley and Que and seeing what other people are doing in the community. I said yes to this feature because BLK Brit embodies who I am. I am a Congolese person but I'm still a proud, very proud Black British person and I feel honoured that you guys reached out. It was so weird being on the other side of an interview, but this was so much fun!

INTERVIEW: Jonifa Ewanga - @jonitrill
EDITOR-IN-CHIEF: Raissa Coulibaly - @therealraissa
ART DIRECTOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER: Tobi Sobowale - @shobo_photography
CREATIVE DIRECTOR: Charlene Haylette - @charlenes_media
SET DESIGNER: Vanessa Koranteng - @brantuostudio
STYLIST: Tele Awo - @teleolaaa
HAIRSTYLIST: Jamique Webb - @jaamique
MUA: Mia Bolaji - @flawlesstouchbymia

Issue 003: Cover Story With Habiba Katsha

Issue 003: Cover Story With Que the Wolf