Poetry in protest

Join award-winning poets Professor Jackie Kay Hon FBA, Dr Kadija George and Monika Radojevic as they delve into the more political side of poetry. They will be sharing their own words and the words of those who have inspired them; exploring poetry’s role in challenging norms, fostering resilience and bringing about change.

We will also be taking a moment celebrate and pay tribute to the late Professor Benjamin Zephaniah Hon FBA.

Speakers

Professor Jackie M Kay Hon FBA

Jackie Kay Hon FBA is a poet, novelist and writer of short stories. She has enjoyed great acclaim for her work for both adults and children. Her novel, 'Trumpet' (1998), won the Guardian Fiction Prize. She has published three collections of stories with Picador, 'Why Don’t You Stop Talking' (2011), 'Wish I Was Here' (2006), and 'Reality, Reality' (2011); three poetry collections, 'Fiere, Bantam and May Day'; and her memoir, 'Red Dust Road' (2011). From 2016-2021 she was the third modern Makar, National Poet for Scotland. She lives in Manchester, is Professor of Creative Writing at the University of Salford and is an Honorary Fellow of the Academy.

Dr Kadija George

Dr Kadija George (Sesay) a scholar and literary activist. She is the editor of several anthologies, founder of SABLE LitMag, co-founder of Mboka Festival of Arts, Culture and Sport, founder of the International Black Speculative Writing Festival and founder of the ‘AfriPoeTree’ app. Her poetry collection 'Irki', is published by Peepal Tree where she is also the Publications Manager for the Inscribe Writers programme. Her forthcoming collection is 'The Modern Pan- Africanists Journey'. Fellowships and honours include Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Literature. 'Black Radical', the anthology that she was co-editing with Professor Benjamin Zephaniah Hon FBA at the time of his passing, will be published by Dialogue Books.

Monika Radojevic

Monika Radojevic is an award-winning poet and writer and the founder of Feminist Invoicing. She released her first book of poems 'Teeth in the back of my neck' in 2021, and is currently writing a short story collection and her debut novel under Penguin Random House.

Chair

Ritula Shah

Ritula Shah is a journalist and broadcaster with one of the most recognisable voices on speech radio.

Ritula was the lead presenter of the news and current affairs programme 'The World Tonight', on BBC Radio 4 for 15 years. She is also an experienced panel chair, including on the BBC’s weekly panel discussion show, 'Any Questions?' and 'The Real Story' on BBC World Service. She regularly leads major public debates for universities and think tanks.