One of the most important voices in Caribbean literature, Lorna Goodison, leads a special online exploration of the Caribbean Black poetry canon as part of The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures 2026.
Presented by Arvon in partnership with Obsidian, the series has been created to explore, preserve and celebrate the work of Black poets from Africa, the Caribbean, the United Kingdom and the United States.
This October session turns its attention to Caribbean poetry, with Goodison introducing a new selection of poets and questions designed to deepen understanding of the region’s extraordinary literary tradition.
Goodison is a major figure in contemporary world literature. The Jamaican poet and writer served as Poet Laureate of Jamaica from 2017 to 2020, becoming the first woman to hold the role. Across poetry, memoir and fiction, her work has explored family, history, migration, womanhood, memory and the legacies of colonialism.
The lecture offers audiences an opportunity to look beyond the most familiar names and consider how generations of Caribbean poets have recorded the experiences of Black communities through language, rhythm and storytelling.
The wider Black Poetry Lectures programme asks what a genuinely decolonised poetry canon might look like and seeks to protect the names and work of important Black writers from being overlooked or forgotten.
Sessions are designed for everyone from poets and academics to students, readers and people simply interested in discovering more about Black literary history.
The event consists of approximately one hour of discussion followed by a 15-minute Q&A. A recording will also be available afterwards for those unable to attend live.
Tickets are £10, with concessions and a limited number of subsidised places available.
The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures: Caribbean Poetry with Lorna Goodison takes place online on Thursday 22nd October 2026 from 1:00pm to 2:15pm.
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