What Lies Beneath....  Elizabeth Uviebinené

Elizabeth Uviebinené is not one to follow a prewritten script. Whether she's co-authoring bestselling books that spark cultural conversations or building digital tools to help others connect with their inner voice, her work consistently explores identity, ambition, and the power of intentional living.

Best known as the co-author of Slay in Your Lane, the genre-defining book that gave voice to the realities of Black British women, Uviebinené has become a cultural commentator of quiet power. Her writing doesn’t just reflect the world—it interrogates it, offering space for self-discovery and systemic questioning.

At a time when the world demands speed and spectacle, Elizabeth Uviebinené invites us to pause. To listen. And, most importantly, to come back to ourselves. She is quietly reshaping how we define success, expression, and identity; not with declarations, but with deliberate, thoughtful presence.

TSB – Your work has previously explored the intersections of identity and ambition. How has your Nigerian heritage and Peckham upbringing shaped your sense of self and the way you navigate life?

Elizabeth - I always make this joke that I was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and then moved to mini Lagos – Peckham. There’s a deep-rooted belief in possibility that comes with being Nigerian. Ambition is expected; it’s not a question of if, but how far you’ll go. And from early on, there was this strong sense of knowing who you are – that you come from something. That your name carries stories.

At the same time, growing up in Peckham was vibrant, creative and chaotic, but it taught me resilience and resourcefulness. It helps me through life now – how to adapt, how to hold my own, and how to keep dreaming, even when the blueprint isn't clear.

TSB – In Slay in Your Lane, you gave voice to the experiences of Black British women. When you look back at your time writing it, were there any layers of your own identity that you feel you were uncovering?

Elizabeth - Writing Slay in Your Lane was the personal development course I never knew I needed to go on, tbh. Through the process of researching and interviewing some of Britain’s most successful Black women, I began to notice a quiet awakening within myself – particularly around ambition. It made me question how I was navigating the different aspects of myself: the friend, the dreamer, and the sister.

I began to see that so many of us are constantly shifting between roles, and for the first time, I was making sense of how those parts intersect within me. Writing the book wasn’t just about giving voice to others; it was also about giving myself space to understand the complexity of my own story.

TSB – A central essence around your book The Reset was to explore big ideas that shift culture. How does that mindset influence how and where you choose to focus your energy today?

Elizabeth - The world is noisy, and if you’re not careful, you can end up building a life based on someone else’s blueprint. The Reset was my way of pressing pause and asking: What do I actually want? What am I building towards?

Now, I’m very intentional about energy. I don’t say yes to everything, even if it looks good on paper. I want to be part of work that shifts how we see ourselves and what we believe is possible. Whether it’s through technology or books, I’m drawn to ideas that help us pause, step back, and rethink the systems we navigate – especially the stories we tell ourselves but rarely challenge.

TSB – How do you approach your personal expression and cultural responsibility in the way you present yourself, be it through fashion, writing or public speaking?

Elizabeth - One of my life mottos is: Take life seriously, but don’t take yourself seriously. I think that sums up how I move through the world. I’m not someone who wakes up thinking, “How do I present my cultural responsibility today?”

For me, it’s more about being intentional without being heavy. I like to bring levity into everything I do, whether I’m on a panel, writing something, or just hanging out with friends. Because life is serious enough.

Even with fashion – I enjoy getting dressed in a way that feels joyful and expressive. That in itself can be powerful. I think we often downplay the role of play as we get older, or we reserve it for children – but play is a form of freedom. And in a world that can sometimes box you in, choosing to be playful is its own quiet kind of resistance.

So yes, I care deeply about the work I do, and I’m conscious of the spaces I’m in, but I always try not to take myself too seriously. The right people get that energy. And the right people respond to it.

TSB – In the world of tech, with your journaling app Storia, you’ve moved into a space often lacking in emotional nuance. What was the personal spark or story behind creating the app, and how does it reflect your own relationship with introspection and identity?

Elizabeth -  There wasn’t one big “aha” moment that sparked Storia – it was more of a quiet, persistent feeling that I couldn’t stop thinking about. I’d just published my fifth book, and from the outside, things looked like they were going well. But inside, I felt like I was on autopilot.

I was at this turning point where I knew I’d achieved a lot, but I also felt like I didn’t want to chase someone else’s version of success just because that’s what people expected of me.

I’ve always seen myself as a bit of an underdog – someone who’s quietly building in the background. But suddenly, I was being perceived as an inspiration or role model, and with that came a different kind of pressure. I needed something to help me stay connected to my own story and my own truth.

Storia came from that need to anchor myself, emotionally and mentally, in a way that felt honest. I’m not someone with a perfect morning routine or a bullet journal aesthetic – I’m quite chaotic, if I’m honest. But I knew I needed something every day that would help me come back to myself – something that made space for reflection and a space to return to myself, day by day, as I figure out who I’m becoming.

TSB – When do you feel most fully yourself – like all of your layers are in flow with each other?

Elizabeth - In moments of quiet joy. When I’m cooking for my friends. When I’m deep in conversation – because I love to yap – and we’re talking about everything and nothing at once.

When I’m walking through London with headphones on, listening to music. And also, when I’m dancing!

TSB – As someone who has found journaling to be a transformative tool for navigating life, what one piece of advice would you give to someone who is starting out with the practice?

Elizabeth - Don’t overthink it.

I built Storia for people who have never journalled before, because most of the people who use the app daily weren’t journalling before they found it. We’ve made it feel playful, easy, and human.

Even if you can’t write what you’re feeling, you can voice it. Everyone has a voice, and everyone has something to say. That’s what Storia helps you uncover. So if you’re starting out, just start with Storia. Let it meet you where you are, and trust that showing up just for five minutes a day can shift so much more than you think.

TSB – Finally, we love good recommendations from people we admire. Can you share three things that you’re currently excited about or that have inspired you in some way? Could be a book you’ve read, play, restaurant, beauty product – anything!

Elizabeth - One of my favourite restaurants in London is Papa L’s – it’s honestly such a vibe. The food’s amazing, the atmosphere is warm, and I always leave feeling like more people should know about it.

In terms of products, I’ve been loving the Koba Nourishing Body and Hair Oil. It’s such a treat to use every day – feels like a little moment of luxury before I start the day.

And I have to shout out The Steam Bars’ conditioner. My hairdresser is obsessed with it – every time I bring it to the salon, she gets excited to use it. It smells incredible and gives brilliant results. I’ve been using it for almost a year now, and it’s a firm staple in my routine.