New development scheme for northern poets of colour launched

A new mentoring and creative development scheme for emerging poets of colour in the north of England, entitled the Poets of Colour Incubator, has been launched, with poets including Roger Robinson, Malika Booker and Kit Fan confirmed as mentors and advisers.

A collaboration between Words of Colour and Manchester Poetry Library at Manchester Metropolitan University, the year-long scheme aims to provide support for talented poets of colour to build sustainable careers amid racial inequity, with three successful poets to each receive a £6,000 Creative Action Bursary to innovate their practice and create dynamic new work in “poetic response” to a global challenge they want to explore.

Starting in September 2023, the three Incubator poets will access creative wellbeing and creative entrepreneurship mentoring, masterclasses and support to test, develop and perform their poetry through artistic co-production. Poets will also work with the public on idea development through Incubator drop-ins and scratch performances, and co-develop a live, end-of-programme showcase.

An additional five shortlisted poets will also receive career signposting, professional guidance and be part of a community of practice.

Joy Francis, Words of Colour’s executive director and the Poets of Colour Incubator co-lead, said: “There are enduring gaps facing poets of colour due to a colonial legacy and racial inequity which undermines their ability to have sustainable careers and the confidence to develop work that speaks to their lived experience and authentic selves. The Incubator will help us amplify Northern-based poets of colour’s presence to counter the London-centric poetry narrative and increase their contribution to the poetry canon.”

Becky Swain, director of Manchester Poetry Library and the Poets of Colour Incubator co-lead, added: “We’re excited to be collaborating with Words of Colour on such a fantastic new programme that will offer invaluable support to talented and emerging poets of colour from the North.

"We know from research and experience that mentoring and support for talented poets of colour early in their career can be critical to enabling the development of creative work in a supportive environment. We’re looking forward to welcoming the three Incubator poets onto the programme, as well as supporting five shortlisted poets.” 

Funded by Arts Council England’s National Lottery Project Grants programme, the Incubator is supported by partners including Contact, HOME, Manchester UNESCO City of Literature and New Writing North.

Writer, educator and T S Eliot Prize winning poet Roger Robinson will be the Incubator’s professional mentor with masterclasses led by Brunel International African Poetry Prize winner Nick Makoha; poet, resilience and success coach Shamshad Khan; BSL interpreter and digital access specialist Nakisayi Musungwa and change agent specialist Suzanne Lyn-Cook.

More can be found out here.