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About Me — Clare Xanthos
A scholar, writer, author and researcher whose writing is informed by racial equity and health justice
I have never been one to fit into society’s boxes. Those who have met me or viewed my videos may have been puzzled by the combination of a white British accent, a Greek surname, and the visual markers of my Black ancestry. Let me explain: I was born to a white mother (English and Greek) and Black father (Nigerian). They married in Ibadan, Nigeria, remaining together until their divorce 26 years later. Shortly after their divorce, I decided to change my surname to Xanthos, my mother’s maiden name, for two reasons: 1) to permanently sever ties with a spiritually toxic father following years of emotional and physical abuse, and 2) to protect myself from the discrimination I was facing in the UK due to my Nigerian surname.
Early Years
I was born in the UK in a small city called Stoke-on-Trent and grew up in three countries: the USA (ages 1–5); Nigeria (ages 5–11); and UK (11–18). While my home life was overshadowed by my father’s physical and emotional cruelty, I feel fortunate to have lived in different countries growing up. Indeed, I have fond memories of the part of my childhood spent in Nigeria, where I attended an international Christian school called Hillcrest and was able…
