BSN City/Linklaters: Inspired to Succeed – Black History Month through the Arts

Black History Month is an annual observance that commemorates the history and achievements of members of the Black community and takes place in the UK in October. Linklaters and the Black Solicitors Network (City Branch) present “Inspired to Succeed: Black History Through The Arts”.

Guest speakers:

George the Poet

George the Poet is a London-born spoken word performer of Ugandan heritage. His innovative brand of musical poetry has won him critical acclaim both as a recording artist and social commentator and seen his work broadcast to billions of people worldwide. In summer of 2018, he opened the Royal Wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle with his poem ‘The Beauty of Union’, and in 2019, his audio offering ‘Have You Heard George’s Podcast?’ won a prestigious Peabody Award (the first series to win outside of the US) and 5 Gold British Podcast Awards, including the highly-coveted Podcast of the Year. The podcast was described by BBC R4 as “a story that could change the world”.

George is a proud ambassador to Sentebale (the charity founded by Prince Harry which helps support young people affected by HIV & Aids in southern Africa), and is a trustee of Arts Council England.

Kwame Kwei- Armah OBE

Kwame Kwei-Armah is British actor, playwright, director, singer and broadcaster. In 2018 he was made Artistic Director of the Young Vic Theatre, where he has directed Twelfth Night and Tree. From 2011 to 2018 he was the Artistic Director of Baltimore Center Stage where his directing credits include: Jazz, Marley, One Night in Miami, Amadeus, and Dance of the Holy Ghosts.

As a playwright his credits include Tree (Manchester International Festival, Young Vic), One Love (Birmingham Repertory Theatre), Beneatha’s Place (Baltimore Center Stage) Elmina’s Kitchen, Fix Up, Statement of Regret (National Theatre) Let There Be Love and Seize the Day (Tricycle Theatre).

Kwame was an Associate Director of the Donmar Warehouse and has served on the boards of the National Theatre, Tricycle Theatre, and Theatre Communications Group. He is Chair of the 2019 Bruntwood Prize for Playwriting, was Chancellor of the University of the Arts London from 2010 to 2015, and in 2012 was awarded an OBE for Services to Drama.

We hope you will join us for what will be a thought provoking session with George and Kwame as they share their stories. We’ll also be using the Opinia app, so that you will have the opportunity to ask questions.

If you have any queries about this event, please e-mail us at enquiries@blacksolicitorsnetwork.org