00:00, 22 October 2024
Words by Cheyanne Bryan, Editorial and Campaign Marketing Executive, London
A blue plaque honouring Birmingham poet and activist Benjamin Zephaniah has been unveiled in his hometown, celebrating his extensive contributions to poetry and activism both locally and globally.
Commissioned by the Nubian Jak Community Trust, which recognises the historical achievements of Black and minority ethnic individuals in Britain and beyond, the plaque is co-sponsored by The National Trust and The Black Writers Guild.
Nels Abbey, Co-founder of the Black Writers' Guild said: "In an October 2020 piece for the Guardian titled ‘Black people will not be respected until our history is respected’, Benjamin wrote: “I might be old. I might be history myself. But I am trying to play my part in the creation of the Black Writers’ Guild, to make sure our history is told by us, and our future is visualised by us.” Those words have become our vision and mission statement at the Black Writers’ Guild. We work to ensure we live up to the dreams and ethos Benjamin set for us.”
The plaque is installed at the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, which will also feature Zephaniah's typewriter as part of its phased reopening on Thursday 24th October 2024, when several galleries will be accessible to the public.
Born and raised in Birmingham, Zephaniah, who passed away in December, fondly recalled his early experiences of writing poetry. His work was deeply influenced by Jamaican music and poetry, as well as what he termed "street politics." He made his public debut at the age of 10 in a church setting, and by 15, he had garnered a significant following in Handsworth, establishing himself as a young poet adept at addressing both local and global issues.
Zephaniah was dedicated to making poetry accessible to all, engaging audiences through readings, publications, and his musical endeavours. He played a pivotal role in popularising Dub Poetry, bringing it into British homes via television and inspiring countless individuals to explore poetry themselves.
At Smiley Movement, we like to elevate the work of charities across the world. Here are three charities whose causes align with the themes in this article.
Poetic Unity. This is a Brixton-based charity that uses poetry to support young people's mental health, education, and personal development.. Find out more.
the Nubian Jak Community Trust (NJCT). This charity collaborates with a wide coalition of organisations and individuals to raise awareness about important transatlantic figures who are too often lost to the history books. Learn more here.
The Poetry Society. This is a charitable foundation that provides a safe space for Black poets to write without the burden of identity, while also providing lifelong networks and development opportunities. Support them here.
