Qian Zephaniah Joined Ealing Community to Remember her Husband, late Benjamin Zephaniah’s Legacy Through the Power of Words, Rhythm and Community!

Monday, 28th October, before a packed audience at Ealing Central Library performance artiste Akuba (aka Grace Quansah), artist and co-host, Anjan Saha, and the WAPPY collective together with Ealing Libraries hosted a child-centred free public event to celebrate the Life and Works of internationally acclaimed dub poet, actor, musician campaigner and professor of poetry and creative writing who passed away early December 2023.

Included in The Times list of Britain's top 50 post-war writers in 2008 and once said to be “Britain’s most identifiable poet”, young people ages 5 to 14 years, living Ealing and beyond, from diverse ethnic and cultural backgrounds, took part in a Benjamin Zephaniah-themed workshops shortly before the Final showcase.  Out of this workshop participants produced poetry, prose and artwork that wowed and moved their families, community supporters and invited guests including Qian Zephaniah, the late poet’s wife, Eric Huntley, co-founder of Bogle L’Ouverture Publications, UK Black History Month founder, Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, Mayor of Ealing, Cllr Yvonne Johnson and Consort, Brian Johnson, Cllr Blerina Hashani, Cabinet Member for Thriving Communities, Kadija Sesay, publisher, writer and literary activist and David Larbi, writer, creator, musician and WAPPY pioneer.  Apart from the young writers, there were guest appearances from David Larbi, a 2009 veteran member Writing, Acting and Publishing Project for Youngsters who return to talk about how the poet inspired him to write and to talk about his upcoming publication, ‘Frequently Happy’ by Penguin Books.  British & Jamaican Reggae artiste JC Lodge sang her 1980s hit, ‘Someone Loves You Honey’ and Leo ‘Acquaye’ McCalman of True Steel Band performed Bob Marley’s iconic ‘One Love’, both as tributes. Another memorable highlight was Akuba’s personal reading of her poem, BZ, My Pen Friend, which moved Qian amongst others.

Qian Zephaniah: “This celebration of Benjamin Zephaniah’s life in Ealing Central Library, filled with the voices of children, music, dance, was exactly how he would have wanted it. He believed in the power of words, rhythm, and community to bring people together. Here in the library, we were reminded that his spirit lives on in every poem, every beat, every drawing and every smile. It’s a beautiful tribute to his life and his love for connecting with others.”

Warda Mohamad: "I took Hakeem to a celebration writing workshop in honour of the late Benjamin Zephaniah, organised by my dear friend @akubaquansah Grace from WAPPY. Hakeem soaked up so much about Zephaniah's legacy and felt such a strong connection with his wife, Qian Zephaniah, that I ended up taking several photos of them together. He was the youngest and first to read his poem in front of a room full of legends, council officials, parents, and even the Mayor of Ealing. It was his first acrostic poem, written just an hour earlier without any rehearsal-and he delivered it beautifully. I couldn't be prouder."(Parent & CEO of Lasting Support Services: https://www.lastingsupportservices.com/).

Anjan Saha: "I was delighted to be part of this energising event and a poetry coach for the celebration of Benjamin Zephaniah. The works of Zephaniah allowed for specific prompts and voicing to be explored. The six teenagers I worked with, namely Sade, Lauryn, Niah, Sasha, Savannah and Zion worked on the theme of Autumn Days. They crafted strong short fictions which they performed to an appreciative audience.  His widow, Qian, warmly supported the presentations and gave the children confidence to continue down the creative path."

Benjah Pozi-Quansah: I’m immensely proud of my mother, Akuba Quansah, for her incredible event celebrating the life and achievements of Benjamin Zephaniah. Held at Ealing Central Library, it was the perfect venue for a packed, vibrant audience and an inspiring lineup of guests, including Benjamin’s wife. The interactive poetry-making session with children of all ages was especially moving, their creativity and the poems they shared, inspired by Benjamin and the day’s energy, were truly first-class. Volunteering at this event was a memorable honour, one that will stay with me for a long time.

(Benjah, Warner Bros. Discovery).