to make waves wherever she goes!” Given her extraordinary commitment and energy, it’s no surprise that Cherise was named one of The Bookseller’s Rising Stars in 2021. “It meant a lot to be recognised for the work that I’ve done. So many sleepless nights and weekends and overtime poured into the many books and initiatives I’ve worked on – it’s all done behind closed doors and so you don’t really expect any kind of recognition. I think I’ve also carried some insecurities from coming into publishing in such an independent and circuitous route – without the usual network and connections. It meant a lot that just putting my nose to the grindstone and focusing on the work somehow resulted in being recognised and celebrated!” Cherise applied to be children’s com- missioning editor with Tate Publishing. “It was an interesting time to do so as we were in the middle of the pandemic’s lockdown and at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement which meant that publishers were keen to commit to diversity and the bureaucratic red tape that usually ties up projects was suspended as we all adjusted to pandemic working arrangements. I immediately rewrote our mission and identity, looked to commission more inclusive books, and looked at what we could do to reach out to the community directly so we were not just publishing about them, but with them.” Cherise was also keen to try to encourage a more holistic approach within Tate. “I was able to work with different departments in ways we hadn’t been able to before – for example, working closely with Families and Learning to create Story Space – an inclusive library space within the gallery with books by people of colour from around the world. This had previously been a series of one off ‘Blast Off’ events, but together, particularly with Jean Tormey who led this project, we created the idea of developing it into a permanent space within the gallery so that communities could feel comfortable and feel an ownership over the space.” As Cherise has settled into the role, it has provided more opportunities for partnerships and collaborative working. “Overtime my scope in overseeing the Children’s list has also meant I’ve been able to create partnerships with the Free Books Campaign, and SAILFest, while also expanding our list to include books for all ages including Middle Grade, Young Adult, and soon Graphic Novels!” Cherise has achieved an extraordinary amount during her time at Tate. Are there any moments or initiatives she’s particularly proud about? “There have been lots of moments to be proud of… I’m incredibly proud of every book I’ve been able to acquire


Spring-Summer 2026


and edit during this time – particularly in expanding the list to ensure we are publishing for all ages, so that no child is left out. It’s been amazing to work with so many authors and illustrators who have come to us with their stories and ideas, and created whole new worlds – from Malola’s Museum Adventures to The Gift to Mahitha and the Dragon – it’s been an incredible journey!”


The gallery space is another real achievement. “It’s been really amazing to make a difference in the gallery space – to help create Story Space so that children of colour have a space just for them within the gallery, and even to be part of Story Space’s captions project where authors of colour responded to artworks


in the collection and created prompts for children who are viewing it as well.” Arising from such strong foundations, what are Cherise’s ambitions for the future? “I hope that as a community of creatives, we get the chance to rest as well as work together to push publishing into not just a semblance of representation, but hopefully a space in which we are filling the generationally empty bookshelves with story after story after story that has been waiting to be told. Not just raising the number of inclusive books published to a number that is representative of current population – but continuing to publish until all the stories that have been waiting to be told get to be told, now and onwards.” PEN&INC


PEN&INC. 11


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