Acclaimed poet, editor and literary figure Kwame Dawes reflects on the development of Black poetry in Britain in this special event exploring the legacy of the Afro-Style School and the creative communities that grew around it.
Dawes looks back at the pioneering workshops he helped organise with Bernardine Evaristo, which created space for Black writers at a time when the British literary and publishing worlds offered far fewer opportunities to writers from African and Caribbean backgrounds.
The event explores how those workshops, collectives and informal networks helped nurture new voices, build confidence and create a stronger sense of community among Black poets and writers.
It also considers the importance of literary kinship: the relationships, collaborations and support systems that allow writers to develop their craft and continue producing work even when institutions do not initially make room for them.
Dawes is one of the most respected figures in contemporary Caribbean and international poetry. Born in Ghana and raised in Jamaica, he has written extensively across poetry, fiction, criticism and memoir, and has played a major role in championing Black and Caribbean writers through his work as an editor, teacher and literary organiser.
He has also served as Poet Laureate of Jamaica, further cementing his place as an important voice in Caribbean literary culture.
For Black History Month audiences, this event offers a valuable opportunity to look at Black British literary history not only through published books and celebrated names, but through the communities, workshops and networks that made those careers possible.
It is a story of creativity, persistence and the importance of Black writers building spaces for themselves and for the generations that followed.
Kwame Dawes: Afro-Style School & Kinships takes place at the Southbank Centre on Thursday 22nd October 2026 at 8:00pm.
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