Join us to celebrate the launch of Black History Month 2023 with Rum Punch and Poets.  Local and international wordsmiths join force for a reasoning of reflections, social political commentary and expressions of Black joy.

Ty’rone Haughton is a Jamaican born, Leicester based poet, freelance practitioner, advocate and former looked after child.  Haughton’s writing style is gentle yet brutal.  He has performed across the UK on tour supporting artists such as Akala and John Berkavitch.  Haughton’s international work has seen him produce writing retreats in The Gambia, Valencia and Europe.  Haughton recently founded Literati Arts, which seeks to use the art of poetry to bring people together.

Carol Leeming MBE FRSA is successful Leicester published poet, playwright and author.  A Writer for Writers Mosaic, a division of the Royal Literary Fund (RLF Leeming was recently appointed as Lector, for the RLF Reading Round Programme.  Leeming is the founder Dare to Diva, was established over a decade ago, based in Leicester.  As Artistic Director of Dare to Diva and as a multidisciplinary artist, Leeming works individually or with specially recruited culturally diverse arts creative teams, or partners, to collaborate on successful diverse arts, commissions and projects including heritage projects.

Christian “Cubs The Poet” Davenport started typing custom poems for people in the New Orleans French Quarter as Cubs The Poet in 2010, and this is where he honed his expression of freedom and expanded how he communicates.  Through poetry, he has worked with brands such as Crown Royal, Southern Comfort, Go Daddy, US Climate Action Network, The Four Seasons and Le Labo.  He has also given a TED Talk, discussing pivotal moments in his life. He was named the inaugural Poet Laureate of Baton Rouge from 2019-2020, and self-published his first book of poems and art, What I Did With My Free Time, in July 2020.

Ticket price includes a complimentary glass of punch.  There will also be the opportunity to browse a small collection of artisanal stalls, artwork and books celebrating creativity, connection and resilience.  Be the first to purchase your copy of BlackInk Issue Four and a number of other new publications including Souls and Solos, Duets and Dreams by Cubs the Poet and Uncovering the Dance Within: Origins and Authenticity.