Aya Poetry and Spoken Word Group was launched in April 2021 with 2 Activist Poets Grace Akuba Quansah & Ngoma Bishop. Brother Ngoma is an Afrikan from Barbados who has lived in the UK for several decades.
The theme for the Launch Event was The Language of Protest. It was interesting hearing about Sister Grace’s work with young people, getting them to explore their creativity through writing, acting, poetry & publishing. We also heard about her campaigns against injustice and had the pleasure of listening to some of her poems. Brother Ngoma is part of an Afrikan Writers Collective and was recently involved in a programme titled Rebirth of the Griot. He is leading Ethical Name Change, a grassroots campaign to change the name of Leopold School in the Borough of Brent, North West London as the association with the Butcher of Belgium is unacceptable especially in an area where Afrikan children are the majority in schools.
We chose the Adinkra symbol Aya for our poetry and spoken word group because it denotes endurance and resourcefulness, qualities needed in activism and campaigning. Aya Poetry and Spoken Word Group was blessed to have Dr Velma McClymont share poems and even run an impromptu workshop on writing haikus which we all enjoyed.
More Online Events Listings MORE
Emancipation Day | Jamaican Slaves Who Abolished Slavery
While researching his ancestors who witnessed Emancipation Day, Paul Crooks uncovered the remarkable story of his great-great-great-grandfather, who…
Black History Blueprints: Adapting with Integrity and Navigating Change
Adaptability isn’t just a skill—it’s the mindset that turns uncertainty into opportunity. In today’s rapidly changing world, learning…
The Sankofa Code: Unlocking Black History to Build Your Inner Strength
What if the key to thriving in today’s world lies in looking back? Rooted in the Akan concept…
Black History Blueprints: Redefining Your Potential
What if the key to your next big move lies in the boldness of those who came before…
Black History Blueprints: Inclusive Leadership at Every Level
What does inclusive leadership really look like? For centuries, Black leaders have shown us. In this insightful talk,…
Black History Blueprints: From Chains to Change
Black history is more than a series of past events—it’s a powerful blueprint for personal growth and transformation….
Black History Blueprints: Turning Struggles into Strength and Growth
Paul Crooks is a pioneering genealogist and storyteller who’s been tracing Black ancestry since the 1990s. This Windrush…