I am the founding member of Kwanzaa Collective UK, an association of artists, activists and academics of colour based in Newcastle-under-Lyme. I am the lead for Artist Empowerment. I work with a wide range of artists of colour helping them to collaborate, work with a range of organisations and know other local artists. I have curated exhibitions and programmes for artists locally, nationally and internationally.

In Kwanzaa Collective UK, we are passionate about young people having a voice. We support groups of young people to realise their artistic and activist dreams. We have had two cohorts . We work with young people at a range of events and in schools. We will be piloting a Six Towns Saturday School in 2024.

Check out 'Our Future Hopes' project with PICL

Nom Ncube is our 2023 lead for Young People’s Empowerment.

Kwanzaa Collective UK recognise the importance of health and wellbeing rituals for people of colour. We’ve run online and in person wellbeing, social sessions and walks. We’ve held gardening sessions. We’ve held programmes in May for Mental Health Awareness Month and have explored Men’s mental health. Creative Arts Therapist Monica Cru-Hall is the lead for 2023.

Based in Staffordshire, the Roaming Poets are a group of writers who take to the streets to share their passion for poetry. Founded in 2016, we’ve appeared as part of range of indoor and outdoor events. We’ve performed at Etruria Canal Festival, Festival Stoke, at bus stops and on buses. We’ve performed at light switch on events and as part of tours. We were instrumental in Stoke’s 2021 City of Culture bid.

Hosted by me, poet Gabriella Gay, eight of the regions best and bravest poets went head to head armed only with Haiku. It was a poetry talent show and an appreciation of Japanese haiku rolled into one fun filled night. This event happened as part of The Mitchell Arts Centre poetry programme in collaboration with Appetite Stoke's Big Feast Festival.

I have hosted several Mixed Scratch Nights (an idea I developed with writer Isla Telford) —a night of new work from the most exciting artists in the region. In this scratch night, a mix of performers, writers and theatre makers have the chance to try out new ideas in front of a receptive audience. I have hosted these nights as part of a programnmes at The Mitchell Art Centre and Arts Keele (under Luke Jerram’s Gaia art installation )

In 2017 I helped produce the first STOKE SLAM in association with Appetite Stoke, Paines Plough's pop up theatre and The Roundhouse, London. I continue to produce Slam events and poetry nights. I have been part of Art Slam and won the poetry category.

The Roaming Poets presented the (Un) Offical Tour of Stoke - a ramble* around the town of Stoke sharing curious stories of fact, and possibly fiction, along the way.

There were two tours: 12noon and 1pm and each tour lasted for 45 minutes.

The idea was hosted and devised by me as part of my Festival Echoes residency.

Lost Haiku (Idea by James Josiah)

I'm writing Haiku

Leaving them out in public

Share if you find one

Have you ever found a Haiku poem lost in the wild?

Would you like to release a Haiku in Hanley for someone else to find?

Hanging from a street signs, tied to railings, or dangling from trees -find these thoughtful poems lost in unexpected places. Stop to read them, take a snap, Will you find them all? I’ve led many workshops encouraging people to join myself and poet Leanne Cooper to create their very own haiku or haibun poem. Participants also hide a Lost Haiku for someone else to find. We have led the workshops in schools, at university wellbeing events, at libraries and outdoor events.