And Still I Rise brings an inspiring evening of new Black creativity to Midlands Arts Centre, showcasing emerging artists of Black, African and Caribbean heritage from across the Midlands.
Presented by 2Funky Arts, the event brings together music, poetry and other forms of live performance, giving developing artists an opportunity to transform personal experiences into bold new work. The pieces have been created to explore questions of prejudice, power, resilience and Black Lives Matter, placing the experiences and perspectives of Black artists firmly at the centre of the evening.
Rather than presenting Black history solely through the past, And Still I Rise looks at how contemporary artists are responding to the realities of life today. Personal stories become the starting point for performances that address identity, inequality and the social forces that continue to shape Black experiences in Britain.
2Funky Arts has developed the programme as a platform for new and emerging Midlands talent. That regional focus is particularly significant for Birmingham and the wider West Midlands, where Black communities have played an important role in the cultural life of the region for generations.
The multidisciplinary nature of the programme means audiences can expect different creative voices and approaches throughout the evening. Music may sit alongside spoken word and poetry, while individual experiences are given room to develop into performances that are personal without losing sight of wider questions about society and belonging.
The title And Still I Rise carries its own message of determination and resilience. Through the work of a new generation of artists, the evening considers what it means to confront prejudice while continuing to create, speak and imagine something different.
Taking place at MAC at the very beginning of Black History Month 2026, the event offers an opportunity to discover emerging Black artistic talent while engaging with contemporary conversations around identity, power and social change.
For audiences interested in new music, spoken word, performance and the future of Black British creativity, And Still I Rise promises an evening of honest, thought-provoking and emotionally resonant work from artists developing their voices here in the Midlands.
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