The Guardian Weekend has renewed its partnership with gal-dem to create a special annual conversations issue.

The publication covers conversations between leading black artists, activists, actors and sportspeople who meet each other for the first time. 

Olympian boxer turned Strictly star Nicola Adams chats with Spice Girl Mel B and model and activist Munroe Bergdorf speaks to comedian Lolly Adefope in the Weekend magazine released on Saturday (December 19).

The partnership follows a collaboration between the magazines’ editorial teams in an inaugural take-over edition featuring I May Destroy You actor Michaela Coel in August 2018.

The issue also features the winning entries from the winner and two runners-up of the Guardian and gal-dem’s memoir writing competition. Launched in October the publications invited UK resident black women and black non-binary people aged 16-21 to write on the theme of conversations.

In addition to having their work published in Weekend and on the publications’ respective news sites, successful writers each receive a fee for their work as well as mentoring from gal-dem and a 1-1 workshop with a Guardian journalist for the overall winner. 

The issue also features the work of black photographers, illustrators and designers.

Charlie Brinkhurst-Cuff, editor-in-chief of gal-dem, said: “It’s been a monumental year, sparking so many important conversations about anti-racism. What we don’t want now is for any of these to completely stop.

“The people we feature within this issue have not been limited to focusing on the stressors and strifes of this period, but also feature a lot of laughter; mutual fandom; recognition of shared experiences; and astute dissection of the ways in which their industries are evolving. Our collaboration with Guardian Weekend feels like a strong way to mark this extraordinary year.”

Ruth Lewy, deputy editor, Guardian Weekend, said: “Two years after our groundbreaking takeover issue, it’s been wonderful to partner with gal-dem again. From Mel B to Paapa Essiedu, all the people we approached to be part of this special were excited to take part, and the conversations themselves are frank, fun and powerful.

“The issue features illustration from new talent, and we’re also delighted to publish the winners of our memoir writing competition for 16-21 year-olds. We have uncovered some exceptional voices and I can’t wait to see what they do next.”