24 Sep 2025
We ask a different figure from the local community to choose 10 questions to answer from a list of 50. This week: Aisha Adi, co-curator of the new exhibition, ‘Our Stories; Tracing Black Histories in Hertfordshire’ which runs throughout October at St Albans Museum + Gallery, chair of St Albans Museums’ Black History Research Group and founder of The Collective Gallery on Hollywell Hill.
What’s the first thing you do after you’ve woken up in the morning?
Make my bed! They say it’s an easy win at the beginning of the day. It’s positive, makes you feel good and helps with routine.
What items do you always carry with you?
Lip balm and a small notebook and pen. Sometimes an idea pops into my head or I remember that I need to do something so the notebook comes in handy to jot things down.
How often do you check your phone?
Too often. The end!
What object would you save first if your house was on fire?
It would have to be my phone. Not only to contact emergency services but also because there is so much information on there that I have been meaning to back up on a cloud somewhere. I will make a note to do that…
Are things getting better or worse?
I really enjoy everything that I do in my life and I am grateful to have the opportunities that I do and work with amazing artists so personally I would like to think, in my bubble, things are always getting better. That being said, I know that there are many difficult things happening in the world right now and I hope that we are able to find a way to make things better for all.
CD, vinyl, download or streaming?
I recently bought a record player so definitely vinyl. I remember as a child observing how important record collections were to members of my family. There is something special about reading the sleeve to see which tracks are included. Then you have the process of taking the record out of the sleeve, giving it a quick wipe to remove any dust. The magical part is when you carefully place the record on the turntable and hear the first notes of the song playing. It is an extremely soothing and tactile experience.
If you could travel back in time and offer your younger self some advice, what would it be?
Believe in yourself, never stop trying and don’t be afraid of hearing the word no.
What’s your favourite meal?
Anything with tofu. I am vegan and it’s a great source of protein. Bua Thai restaurant on St Peter’s Street make an amazing tofu green curry which I have with coconut rice.
What’s your favourite hidden gem in the district?
Heartwood Forest- I love to go on long walks there.
Where do you buy your coffee in St Albans?
I am not a coffee drinker but I do love a hot chocolate from Knoops on Market Place.
