Benjamin Zephaniah is a performer, musician, actor, and one of the UK’s best-known poets. Born in Handsworth, Birmingham, Benjamin began writing and performing at the age of 11, and had his first collection of poetry published when he was 22. He has written more than 30 books for adults and children and is known all over the world for his powerful writing and performances. Benjamin was a founding member of Artists Against Apartheid, and in 1996 he hosted the President’s Two Nations Concerts at the Royal Albert Hall in London, at the request of Nelson Mandela. On August 29th 2007 he was the Master of Ceremonies at the unveiling of the statue of Nelson Mandela, again at his request, in Parliament Square. Benjamin is also a musician and was the first person to record with the Wailers after the death of Bob Marley. As well as writing poetry, novels, screenplays and stage plays, Benjamin has also written and presented documentaries for television and radio. His poetry show Life & Rhymes won a BAFTA for ‘best entertainment programme’ in 2021. He has been awarded 13 honorary doctorates in recognition of his work and a wing at The Ealing Hospital in West London has been named after him. As passionate about politics and poetry as he has ever been, Benjamin now lives in Lincolnshire.

Onyinye Iwu is a trained secondary school teacher and freelance illustrator. She was born in Italy to Nigerian parents and moved to the UK as a teenager. She has a first degree in Architecture, a Postgraduate Education certificate in Design Technology and a Masters degree in Culture Diaspora Ethnicity.

She pursued a career in teaching since 2014 with the aim of being a role model to young black people living in the diaspora and inspire them achieve greatness. With her experience of schooling in italy as the only black girl in the school and with facing daily racism and prejudice she made it her mission to create happy learning spaces for her students.