rapper and mercury prize winner for her debut album ‘speech therapy’

Now with 4 albums under her belt.

she has a passion for fishing, cooking, writing, and lives by the sea.

an author, model, speaker and trainee psychotherapist. check out her debut book ‘feeling myself’

builder of communities.

Dreams of one day living by the sea and growing vegetables with her kids and a bunch of animals.

Corynne Elliott

Corynne Elliott

Corynne Elliott (she/her) aka Speech Debelle:

On my 33rd birthday I booked my first fishing lesson with an Englishman whose name I can't remember. He taught lessons in his spare time for a little extra money. I sat next to him on a riverbank on some camping chairs with a holder for your drink, and he walked me through the setup of a rod. He avoided eye contact. We spent most of the time sitting, watching the tip of the rod for some 'action,' and talking about the different fish in this river. We discussed why fishing isn't what it used to be and why getting older seemed to be a contract he did not remember signing. Still, we never made eye contact. I enjoyed this time with the man, whose name I can't remember, more than most social activities I had most of my life engaging in. Before this day, I had never fished, but my God, did fishing enter my life and stay. Here’s what I now believe to be true: My need to find myself and be back in my body led me to fishing.

Over the last year, Alexis and I have fished at beaches and off piers along the English coast, on small and deep-sea fishing boats, and in the waters of other continents. Each time, we spoke about how we—and others—need this. I was confused about how I was meant to 'teach anyone how to fish when I'm still learning myself.' She responded that I didn’t have to; community is about learning together. Like the classic line all anglers come to understand: 'It’s called fishing, not catching.' Fishing and coming alive by the water is for life. 

Alexis Lee

Alexis Lee

Alexis Lee (she/ her) also known as Style Me Sunday:

I used to go fishing with my dad. He says he remembers taking me when I was in a buggy. Once I remember he asked me to hold his rod whilst we went to the shop, we been staring at it for a couple of hours with no bites. Suddenly the tip bent over and the rod shook. I’d caught an eel. I ended up putting it in a big coke bottle as I was so excited i’d managed to catch this thing on my own and it was all I had to put it in. He certainly wasn’t as impressed as I was.

I’ve always been fascinated by the sea. When I was a kid I used to want to be a Marine Biologist. I was particularly intrigued by sharks. Scared shitless of them but also spellbound by these fabulous, huge, ancient creatures that roamed our seas. Similarly, I LOVE crystal clear waters but I’ve also never been able to completely shed my fear of being in the ocean especially when I don’t know what’s underneath me. That being said I rarely pass up the opportunity to get in it, whatever the temperature. I’m inexplicably drawn to water and always have been.

Meeting Corynne got me back in touch with fishing. I’ve always wanted to get back into it but didn't have anyone to go with and I felt silly going on my own when I didn’t have a clue what I was doing. Corynne gave me the confidence to just give it a go. It doesn't matter if you don’t know what you’re doing or if hook a seagull whilst casting and don’t look like a typical fisher person. if you feel like there’s something you’d like to try, give it go - who knows you might even become obsessed. There’s so much satisfaction in being able to catch some fish for your dinner and it’s bloody tasty too.

I have a keen interest in our ancestral history with water and how our skills and access have to impaired, thwarted and colonised. We’ve not only lost touch but many of us have trauma around water, maybe a lack of experience, a bad experience or something that lives in our DNA from generations before us.

Black Fish is here to build back our confidence with the water - learn to catch and forage delicious food for our pans and our plates. Have fun and benefit from the tranquil and restorative nature of being by vast wide stretches of our beautiful and mysterious seas.

  • Ana Pryor (she/her)

    Board Member

    Is a UK-based packaging and branding consultant who believes in the power of design to do more than make things look cool but to create solutions that make a difference. A Creative Director on brands like Ouli's Ointment and lead for companies like Equaino Rum she brings creative expertise to our community.

    “Being asked to serve as a board member for Black Fish is truly a privilege. I have the utmost confidence in both Speech and Alexis, as well as their vision for Black Fish—community, inclusivity, and education, all while helping to preserve our waters all strongly resonate with my own beliefs. Having the opportunity to contribute my creativity and experience in building brands and non-profits to support the free fishing movement is an honour. The mantra across my own work is "Don't just do good design, do good," and this opportunity allows me to continue doing just that. I'm very excited to get started with this incredible team!”

  • Melissa Sinclair (she/her)

    Board Member & Chair

    Is an experienced board member and committee member for well-known organisations like Soho House and New World Housing Association. Currently adding to her multi-hyphenate resume, she is studying at Cambridge University. With an eye for detail and complex problem-solving skills within community building, Melissa sits as chair of our board.

    “I joined the Board at Black Fish because I deeply resonate with their mission to disrupt the current narrative and transform fishing into an inclusive community experience for underrepresented groups. Whilst fishing in the UK is exclusive and competitive, most of us who are excluded are directly connected to fishing through our lineage. As a British-Jamaican with roots in fishing and farming, I’m excited to help shape their vision of reconnecting people with the ocean, improving mental health and fostering a sense of belonging within our community.”

  • Tom Harfleet (he/him)

    Board Member

    Is a strategist that has worked across several sectors, from managing the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the UK’s leading gardening charity's largest event, to Head of Nature at pioneering drinks start-up Seedlip. Tom brings strategic expertise to building our community.

    “I’m excited to be working alongside Alexis, Speech, and the other board members to build community and foster connections with nature.

    We are living in a time when our disconnection from each other and the natural world is leading us toward environmental crises.”