Black Poetry Lectures

A series of lectures exploring the rich canon of Black poets in Africa, the Caribbean, the UK and USA.

The function of freedom is to free someone else.” – Toni Morrison

“'The Black Poetry Lectures are a series of conversations with the Black canon across four regions, delivered by contemporary Black poets. It's about building a living poetry collection across time. This is a space for the poet, the academic, the student and for readers, listeners, elders, and young people alike, anyone drawn to the depth and possibility of Black poetry”
Dr Nick Makoha Founder of Obsidian Foundation

African Poetry
Dzifa Benson

Black British Poetry
Anthony Joseph

Black American Poetry
Karen McCarthy Woolf

Caribbean Poetry
Jason Allen Paisant

African Poetry
Ama Asantewa Diaka

Poetry Of The UK & Europe
Victoria Adukwei Bulley

Black American Poetry
Roger Robinson

Caribbean Poetry
Lorna Goodison

Introducing the Black Poetry Lectures Series

After a successful pilot in 2023, Obsidian Foundation is excited to partner with Arvon to co-host The Black Poetry Lectures 2026. Fortnightly in June, July, September and October 2026, four award-winning poets will explore four distinct areas of the Black poetry canon, looking at Black writers past and present from Africa, the US, the Caribbean and the UK.

Join us for a deep dive into the Black poetry canon, equipping you to explore what a decolonised poetry canon might look like and future-proofing the names of Black poets at risk of being forgotten. Each session is £10 with half-price concessions and fully funded places available. The series is not-for-profit and open to all. If you’re able, we encourage you to pay it forward by paying the full price. All proceeds will go directly towards a bursary for Black writers to attend an Arvon course in 2027, supporting the next generation of voices and ensuring this work continues beyond the lectures.

The Black Poetry Lectures:

• 75 mins duration

• A lecture/talk series on 2-3 Black poets from a region as an online talk, followed by a Q&A

• Each tutor will lead two lectures on a specific region (Africa, America, Caribbean and UK)

• Thursday lunchtimes 1.3.00-14.00 BST, followed by 15 min Q&A

• Recordings will be available to watch afterwards if you aren’t able to attend live

Testimonials

“It was so good! I learned so much, still sitting with the fruitful wisdom and discussion!”
Angel GriotAnti-disciplinary creative practitioner

“Stunning, brilliant and so generous, I loved poems all over again.”
Labeja KoduaWriter

“I was able to view the two hour seminar on African poets presented by the excellent Dzifa Benson, and it truly was a masterclass. Now, I have a month to review these poems over and over before Part II, and each poem is worth contemplation and study. As an emerging black woman poet, Obsidian’s offering is a treasure trove.”
Ellen WrightPoet, retired English teacher

“This was a wonderful overview of African poetry! I leaned a great deal about how poets from the continent confront socio politics in their work and reclaim the sheer beauty of their humanity. Thanks again to Djifa for this well-done masterclass!”
Amanda T. McIntyreWriter