From Directory Idea to 250+ Member Community: How Black and Being Essex is Building Belonging
Interview with Preen Chakadonha - Knowledge & Education Manager / Director of Black and Being Essex - by Shannon Kate Murray, Founder & Editor of High Flying Design (JULY 2025)When Preen Chakadonha founded Black and Being Essex (BABE), she wasn’t planning to lead a fast-growing community. It started as a simple online directory - a way to make black-owned businesses in Essex easier to find.
Two years later, BABE now brings together over 250 members through regular meetups, workshops, and events across Essex.
From hosting free picnics to securing local grants and planning a dedicated curly hair event in Essex, Preen’s journey shows how small beginnings can turn into something much bigger - especially when you step up and take action, even before you feel “ready.”
I caught up with Preen to learn more about how she started, what she’s learned along the way, and why Essex needs more spaces where everyone can feel at home.
How did Black and Being Essex get started?
Preen: I migrated from Zimbabwe when I was 10 years old and moved to Brentwood. For years, I struggled to find things locally - especially hair products and services. We’d always have to go into London.
One day I just thought, wouldn’t it be great if there was a directory? That’s how BABE started. The name came up on a night out in Malta! My friend said, “Black and Being Essex,” and we both just knew it worked.
Originally, I tried building the site myself, but it was harder than I thought. In the meantime, I set up an Instagram page - and that just blew up. People really wanted to connect.
Our first meet up was just six of us in a park in Chelmsford. From there, it’s grown into regular events, a free membership community, and now almost 250 members.
How did you secure your first grant?
Preen: I’d already been talking to Brentwood Council about access to resources, especially for black hair care. When their Community Fund opened, I thought: why not?
I’d never applied for funding before. But they ran drop-in sessions, which made it really approachable. We got it on our first application. That funding is helping us host Curl Up Essex - an event focused on curly hair care, with experts, workshops, and talks.
What’s surprised you most about running BABE?
Preen: Honestly, how much people wanted this. I just thought I’d create a directory. I didn’t expect the social side to grow so much.
Now we host monthly meetups all over Essex - picnics, sip and paints, hikes. We even have a gala every six months.
We use WhatsApp Communities to manage things, which has been a game changer. It’s made me grow too - I never used to be confident speaking publicly, but now I’ll welcome 30+ people to an event and lead the conversation.
I can’t believe I’m one of those people where I come up with an idea and it actually becomes a thing.
How do you keep everything running?
Preen: It’s still mostly voluntary. I’ve now got a team of six or seven helping with social media, events, and admin. I used to do it all myself, but eventually I had to ask for help. Delegating wasn’t easy at first - especially when it’s something you’ve built from scratch - but it’s been such a relief.
Long-term, we’re looking at introducing paid memberships or sponsorships to cover costs and pay our team fairly. We’ve recently launched a GoFundMe for ongoing running costs.
What’s been your biggest personal growth moment through building BABE?
Preen: I feel much more confident. I actually am hoping to do more speaker events. I just need to put myself out there.
I feel a lot more confident and I no longer see that as a bad thing. It sounds really weird. Maybe it's just the way women grow up. I feel like sometimes confidence just feels like - oh, you don't want too much of that, you know? You don't want to seem too confident. And especially as a Black woman as well, trying to be confident without wanting to fit a stereotype.
But this last couple of years with BABE, it’s like I’ve had to be confident. When people ask me what is BABE, I have to know what I’m talking about.
Where do you see Black and Being Essex heading next?
Preen: Last October, we registered as a Community Interest Company (CIC). It felt like the right fit - not quite a charity, not a typical business, but a structure that ensures whatever money we bring in goes straight back into the community.
I really hope we can take Curl Up Essex on the road following its kick-off this October - like a roadshow, starting in Brentwood, then Chelmsford, Southend or wherever.
The dream is that if at least one salon puts a curly hair expert chair in their space, we’ve made an impact. That’s really what it’s about - making sure people living in these communities feel like they can get the services they need locally.
Eventually, I want to also focus on health, finance, workshops on things like maternity health, savings - just all the things that affect Black women and their families.
What advice would you give to women starting out?
Preen: Honestly: just start.
You don’t need it all figured out. If I’d waited to feel fully ready, BABE wouldn’t exist.
Things will go wrong, you’ll pivot, but you’ll learn along the way. I used to be scared of failure, but now I know: action is better than sitting still.
Preen’s journey shows what’s possible when you take action before you feel ready. What started as a local directory idea is now helping hundreds of women across Essex feel more connected, confident, and seen - from finding haircare services to finding real community.
At its heart, BABE is about belonging - and as Preen Chakadonha puts it:
“I can’t believe I’m one of those people where I come up with an idea and it actually becomes a thing.”
