BROWN GIRLS WRITE
Friday 9th August 2024
Council Chamber, Newcastle Civic Centre, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 8QH
Introducing Brown Girls Write - a regular writing group for all women of colour who are interested in nurturing their creative writing skills or want to give it a go.
Back by popular demand for their second year at Novum, Brown Girls Write will share their poetry, stories and spoken word.
You will hear from -
Janna Ajmal @janna_j4nn4
A visual artist turned poet, Janna explores the intersection of creativity and expression through her work. Drawing on her background in visual arts, she brings a unique perspective to the world of poetry, using words as a canvas to paint vivid images and evoke powerful emotions.
Akiba Azad @kibwrites
Akiba Azad is a British-Bengali writer, born and raised in the North East of England. Her work explores identity, culture and love. She has been featured in Pseudokulture Edition 1, and posted on Renard Press' Third Space online platform. She has performed spoken word for several events including Poets in the City, Newcastle Fringe Festival 2023, and Novum Festival 2023.
Mymona Bibi @wordsbymymona
A Bengali-British writer, creative workshop facilitator, and ESOL teacher based in Newcastle upon Tyne. Her writing has been featured in the Ilkley Literature Festival, Corridor8 and Lumpen Press. She’s a core member of the collective Brown Girls Write and has performed spoken word at events such as Read Them Your Writes, Out of Your Head, Newcastle Fringe Festival 2023 and NOVUM Festival 2023. Mymona’s writing explores topics of identity, home and trauma. Currently, her community work investigates how multilingualism and language learning affect epistemology and communication styles in marginalised communities.
Safa Maryam @bysafamaryam
A poet and doctor from the North. Her work has been published by Dear Damsels, Mslexia, New Writing North, and Medical Women. She is a member of the collective Brown Girls Write, and has performed at Newcastle Fringe Festival, NOVUM Festival, Out Of Your Head and Waterstones Tottenham Court Road. She was a finalist in the 2022 Mslexia Poetry Competition judged by Helen Mort.
Ilisha Thiru Purcell @ilishadoespoetry
A poet from Newcastle upon Tyne, Ilisha is a dynamic force in the literary scene. She is part of the inaugural Poets of Colour Incubator Programme and was a Young Creative Associate with New Writing North. Ilisha won a commission to perform at the 2023 Newcastle Poetry Festival and was shortlisted for Nine Arches’ Primers Volume 7. Her work has appeared in publications such as Butcher’s Dog and Bi+ Lines Anthology. She is a member of Brown Girls Write who she performs with regularly.
Free, pre-booking essential
5pm - 6pm
This is a licensed venue and any under 14s must be accompanied by an adult.
No drinks are permitted inside the Council Chamber.
The venue and festival site are wheelchair and pushchair accessible.
There will be a break out / quiet space available.