WhatsOn Condolences:

We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Benjamin Zephaniah, the legendary poet and writer from Birmingham.

Benjamin was a powerful voice for social justice and equality, and his work inspired generations of readers and writers. His poems tackled themes of race, politics, and social justice with a unique blend of humor and passion. He was a true champion of the underdog and a tireless advocate for change.

He was awarded numerous accolades for his work, including the Commonwealth Poetry Prize, the Cholmondeley Award, and the PEN Pinter Prize. He was also made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in 2003.

Prolific Poem:

Windrush Child:

(Awarded the T.S. Eliot Prize in 2001)

A child of Empire, I
Born in the Caribbean sun
Came to England looking for fun
But what I found was more than one

I found racism and hate
I found prejudice and fear
But I also found love and hope
And the strength to persevere

I found my voice and my pen
And I used them to fight
For the rights of all people
And for a world that is fair and bright

So let this poem be a tribute
To the Wind rush generation
And to all who have fought
For a better world and nation