Photography by Adam Docker.
SATURDAY 12 APRIL 2025 | 11:00 AM – 6:30 PM Come and join us for an unforgettable celebration of art, poetry, music, and more, as we honour the life and legacy of the late Benjamin Zephaniah — a true icon of the arts and activism.
This vibrant festival coincides with his birthday weekend, marking the inaugural Benjamin Zephaniah Day. We've got an incredible line- up of events planned for you!
Stage Takeovers by Black Writers Guild, WritersMosaic & Apples and Snakes
Creative Workshops for adults and children, Exhibitions, and Film Screenings
Global Performances from poets, musicians, and artists Contributions from the Fellows of the Royal Society of Literature
A performance from Fire Choir
'Tai Chi taster session and demonstration' by Clive Spring - Black Dragon School of Martial Arts
Vegan Food Stalls available throughout the day!
This is Book Love will be selling in attendance with publications from the performers on sale as well as two new Benjamin Zephaniah publications
We are delighted to be working with The British Library to livestream part of our Liberation Stage to UK libraries. The following performances will be livestreamed.
"Former Open University lecturer, British Museum facilitator, educator, award-winning performance artiste, poet, writer, author-published in 24 collections.
Nelson Abbey is a British-Nigerian (Itsekiri) writer, broadcaster, media executive and satirist based in London.
Is an award-winning Yorùbá-Nigerian poet, writer, activist, lecturer and doctoral researcher. Her work champions social justice and celebrates our common humanity.
Sandra A. Agard is a professional storyteller, author, poet, playwright, literature consultant and cultural historian.
Atef Alshaer is a Senior Lecturer in Arabic Studies at the University of Westminster, an author, translator, and expert in language, literature, politics, and Middle Eastern cultural identity.
Author of poetry collections, 'To Sweeten Bitter' (2017) 'The Perseverance' (2018), 'All The Names Given' (2021) 'Signs, Music' (2024) and children's picture books 'Can Bears Ski?' (2020) 'Terrible Horses' (2024)
is an award winning writer, performer and educator, born and raised in Nechells, Birmingham, UK. Casey was the Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020 - 2022.0.
Siana Bangura (pronounced ‘see-anna’) is a multi-award winning playwright, writer, producer, and creative practitioner proudly hailing from South East London, currently living, working and creating between London and the West Midlands.
Francesca Beard is an internationally acclaimed poet who has written and performed nationally and abroad. She trained as a spoken word educator through the Apples and Snakes ‘Poetry in Education’ programme.
Is extremely passionate about autistic and otherwise neurodivergent people. His own journey has been very difficult, but he has had poetry and spoken word as his saviour.
Has written poems all her life, but only recently found the drive to perform publicly. Cancer, menopause, military wife life, disabled parents, motherhood, feminist rage and above all humour feature in her pessimistically optimistic writing.
A British Wheel of Yoga and Zen teacher at the Oxford Zen Centre, Director of the Prison Phoenix Trust (2000–2010), aiding prisoners with yoga and meditation. Benjamin Zephaniah joined as Patron.
Powerhouse vocalist, songwriter, innovative producer, host, heritage broadcaster and creator of Reggae Uprising Podcast.
DJKat the Katalyst has always been a rebel, demonstrating this through her unique style of poetry to her music she plays as a DJ, with influence from Miss Lou, Mutaburuka, Linton Kwesi Johnson and Benjamin Zephaniah
Is a creative writing undergraduate, a passionate advocate for mental health awareness, and an aspiring writer and poet. Published work includes satirical articles in the ‘Chatty Chimp’, under her pseudonym Lady Tamsyn Marie.
ECKOES, a British Nigerian ethereal electronica artist, dazzles with captivating music, live performances, and fashion, earning support from tastemakers like Radio 1, BBC 6 Music, and Clash Magazine.
Is a working-class South Asian award-winning poet, writer, producer, activist, community organiser and creative campaigner challenging British state violence, based in Leicester and London.
Fire Choir will be organizing performances for the BZ Day
Basil Gabbidon, founding member of Steel Pulse, is a legendary British-Jamaican reggae artist, performer, and composer, celebrated for his powerful contributions to music and theatre across the UK and Europe.
Julianne is a Filipino writer, spoken word artist and musician from London. She uses instrumentals and poetry to further explore her own in her work.
Kadija George Sesay is a literary activist and founder of the ‘International Black Speculative Writing Festival’, and the ‘AfriPoeTree’ app.
Has an MA in Creative Writing. Her work has been published in 12 poetry journals. She was one of winners of the Art Fund Prize 2023 where her poem ‘Triggered’ was displayed on billboards throughout the UK.
A London-born poet, performer, and writer with a diverse career spanning radio, TV, and arts projects, known for challenging stigmas, producing twelve books, and winning accolades like a Perrier Comedy Award nomination.
Jodie Hodges is a literary agent for children's writers and illustrators, representing Benjamin since 2011. She focuses on work that resonates with today’s children, inspiring future readers and thinkers.
Is a writer, speaker, educator, and self-taught artist. Her work draws upon lived experience, theory of race, identity, conflict, and healing power of nature and creative art.
Lola Jaye, an author and psychotherapist, writes historical novels exploring race, mental health, and life, with her latest book, *The Manual for Good Wives*, releasing in February 2025.
Jayce is a 6-year-old highly gifted and talented British author who began showcasing his literary skills at a very young age. He promotes diversity and inclusion in storytelling.
A designer and artist who loves playing with colours and creating cool things. She has worked on everything from brand designs to doodles, and she believes art should be fun, easy, and a little messy!
With over 1.4 million followers on social media, author, creator and musician David Larbi has been cementing himself as one of the country’s most exciting creatives, with a flourishing online community built on introspection and emotional connection.
Nomadic Libaax, which translate to Wondering Lion is a British Somali Rhythmic Assisted Poet, who uses the mediums of rhythm & rhyme to create cinematic experiences.
An award-winning journalist as well as an author and published poet. She loves travel but currently divides her time between caring responsibilities, writing, teaching and finding peace in nature.
Logic, a respected UK hip-hop artist and founder of Peoples Army, blends conscious rap with Afro-beats, delivering powerful messages through music, live performances, and collaborations with global icons.
George Lomas, a poet and aspiring journalist from Harrow, blends storytelling and rhythm to explore mental health and the humor in everyday life, inspired by Benjamin Zephaniah and Harry Baker.
Luthernist is a rap musician, songwriter, poet, performer, and producer from Redbridge, East London. Inspired by icons like 2Pac, Nas, and Kendrick Lamar, he has become a formidable force in the music scene.
Dr Nick Makoha is a Ugandan poet and playwright based in London and founder of Obsidian Foundation
Scottish born poet David McDonald lives in South London. He passionately believes in the power of spoken work as a tool for social change and liberation.
Is one of the six editors who created and published Borderless. Mira is currently working on her debut novel which made the shortlist for the #Merky Books New Writers Prize.
Sana is a British Iranian poet, translator and art historian based in London. Her writing includes a novel, short stories, and poetry collections Departure and O Delilah.
Is a British Indian writer living in London. She works in mental health and runs Creative Writing for Wellbeing Workshops. She completed a MA in Creative Writing at Brunel in 2024.
Laurie born to Caribbean expats and was raised in High Wycombe by her West Indian village. She has been writing poetry for over thirty years, with self-reflection as a recurring theme.
Nii Ayikwei Parkes is a renowned writer, winner of international awards and a laureate of Ghana's national ACRAG award, and a fellow of the Royal Society of Literature.
Annette is a British born and Canadian writer of African-Caribbean heritage. She grew up listening to African -Caribbean folklore told to her by her Jamaican parents. Annette is a qualified science teacher.
Is a poet and tree surgeon living in East London. His most recent publication is the short story ‘Beat Phase’, featured in the new adult anthology It’s Fine, I’m Fine (edited by Kat Gynn).
Nicole‘s work shines a light on life’s triumphs & struggles, inviting you to embrace authenticity & find strength in faith.
Is a 24-year-old Theatre Graduate and Creative Writing Masters Graduate from Brunel, that spends her time writing with the hopes of inspiring others.
Anjan Saha is a London-based poet, founder of London Literature Lounge, and a prominent figure in live literature, blending art, music, and travel in his widely recognized performances and publications.
Once upon a time, Smriti was a dentist, but after the plaintive beckoning of the Muse of Creativity became impossible to ignore, she moved from India to London to study Creative Writing.
The Pan-African Society aims to foster unity, cultural awareness, and mutual support among African descendants and those interested in African culture and history.
Is a political commentator and content creator specialising in providing critical analysis of key political and social phenomena by examining their systemic causes, intersectional impacts, and broader implications.
Vijey Vadivel, a digital artist who loves making things look cool and creative, he enjoys turning simple things into something amazing!
Mbeke Waseme, author of two anthologies, has been writing since childhood—crafting stories is as essential to her as air, a lifelong passion that began with a stapled, typed book.
Is a doctoral researcher in creative writing at Brunel. Having spent many years as a motherhood journalist, poet and teacher, she has returned to academia where Benjamin Zephaniah, her MA supervisor, inspired her to follow her dreams.
Ziba Karbassi is a renowned Iranian poet in exile, author of twelve books in Farsi, and a leading advocate for exiled writers, with works translated into over fifteen languages and widely performed globally.
Zohab Zee Khan, a performance poet and wellness coach, blends Urdu and Punjabi in his poetry, exploring heritage and family, with a best-selling collection and a National Poetry Slam title.
Register to attend the Festival
Professor Benjamin Zephaniah, Brunel Professor of Creative Writing
For more information about Benjamin and his legacy
To be announced