BBC Words First

The Artists

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  Aretha Ahunanya

  Born and raised in East London, Aretha is a 19-year-old student with a love for the arts. Through music, spoken word and storytelling, she began writing from an early age – finding the process therapeutic. Currently she studies Engineering and Architecture at university, and aims to promote diversity within the industry.

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  Arun Jeetoo

  Arun Jeetoo is a poet from London. His words are in The London Reader, a Black Lives Matter Anthology and The Best New British and Irish Poets 2019-2021. His debut pamphlet I Want to Be the One You Think About at Night was published under Waterloo Press (2020). Arun instagrams @g2poetry.

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  Ayo Olubode

  Ayo Olubode expresses himself in many mediums. Music, photography or spoken word, he uses his creativity to express his thoughts and more so the perspective of others on what goes on in the world. An economics student on a corporate career path with dreams of entering the creative space.

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  Bhumika Billa

  Bhumika is an Indian poet, Kathak dancer and legal academic based in Cambridge, UK. She has previously featured on Apples and Snakes, Toronto Poetry Slam, Airplane Poetry Movement and Button (forthcoming). She writes on privilege, heritage, and mental health to bring together languages, art forms, and people.

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  Carl Alexandersson

  Carl Alexandersson (he/him) is a queer writer and performance poet. He is pursuing his undergraduate degree in English Language and Literature at the University of Edinburgh. He was a finalist at the StAnza Poetry Slam 2021, Slambassadors Award winner at UniSlam 2020, and is published in Ink Sweat & Tears, Impossible Archetype, and more.

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  Catherine Wilson Garry

  Catherine Wilson Garry is a Scottish spoken word poet and writer based in Edinburgh. She has been commissioned for both page and stage by organisations including StAnza Poetry Festival, the British National Gallery, BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio Scotland.

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  Chloë Florence

  Chloë is a queer ex-homeless spoken word poet, actor, writer and activist based in London. ‘Diva Unsung Hero of the Year’ Award Winner 2021. Slam Finalist, previous Roundhouse Resident Artist. Her work’s been commissioned by Sky Arts 50, Lyrix Organix and Channel 4. Her debut show S.W.E.P.E. received 5-star reviews.

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  Georgina Wilding

  Georgina Wilding was crowned Nottingham’s first young poet laureate in 2017, Creative Director of Nottingham Poetry Festival in 2019 and in the same year was recognised for a ‘30 under 30’ award for her work in poetry. She has performed both nationally and internationally at places such as Edinburgh Fringe Festival & Milosz festival Poland and her debut collection is due out with Verve Poetry Press May 2022.

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  Lois-Amber Toole

  Lois-Amber Toole, an actor-writer, was awarded a scholarship, graduating from The American Academy of Dramatic Arts, where she wrote and performed her one-person show Skeleton Key. The show won her The UN Women Leadership competition; Lois will be starring as the lead in Blood Shore in 2021.

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  Princess Latifah

  Princess Latifah is a stay at home mum to a 1 year old. She lives in South London. She is a deep and passionate singer/poet and has been performing since she was a child. She believes in something called “Poetual Healing”, and that raw, honest expression is a potent medicine.

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  Maiya John

  Maiya John is a 22-year-old Creative Writing graduate who loves all forms of writing. She is heavily inspired by Maya Angelou, Maia Mayor and Benjamin Zephaniah. Maiya loves to perform her poetry at home and see’s Words First as an opportunity to build confidence in performing in front of others.

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  Nigeen Dara

  Nigeen Dara is a British-Kurdish writer and medical student. Her writing explores the themes of identity, immigration, trauma and femininity. She is currently working on her debut collection of poetry and prose due to be published in the near future.

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  NM

  NM is a poet from London, whose work explores identity and politics. Since penning her first poem in 2017, and her first performance in 2019, she has published her first collection collection one: growing pains, featured in literary publications, and performed her first feature with community group, Women 100.

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  Rue Collinge

  Tinker, painter, poet, spy… Rue Collinge is a storyteller, an editor, and most recently a UK Slam Champion! Raw and lyrical, she has performed across the UK and on the radio, and has been published in numerous magazines and anthologies. She helps people find their voice in an increasingly noisy world.

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  Seun Matiluko

  Seun Matiluko is an author, journalist, poet and researcher in law, race, politics and human rights. She has appeared on Times Radio and the BBC and has written articles for gal-dem, The Independent and The Guardian inter alia. Her debut pamphlet Identity is now on sale.

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  Tiffany Kew

  Tiffany Kew, 26, is originally from Dover, but now lives in Cardiff since completing a degree and masters in Music Engineering & Production. Tiffany’s passion for music and writing raps helps her overcome her daily struggles living with chronic illnesses.