Latest news with #BenjaminZephaniah
BBC News
19-07-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
'Emotional' Benjamin Zephaniah mural unveiled in Birmingham
A mural of Benjamin Zephaniah has been unveiled in Birmingham, with the late poet's brother describing it as "emotional". Tippa Naphtali said he had attended "so many" events for his brother since his passing in 2023, but admitted each one got easier because "we recognise that people loved him so much".The new artwork is located at Acorns Hospice and was shown for the first time on Friday afternoon. Speaking at the event, Mr Naphtali said: "It's such a wonderful location that does such wonderful work." He added: "It's been fantastic today and really enjoyable."The team at Acorns have been wonderful. We have been working with them for about a year."They have been supportive, they supported the artist and gave him access [to the site] and we're here today, a culmination of a year's work." Asked how his brother would have reacted to the mural, Mr Naphtali said: "If he was here he'd probably have been jigging about, making up a poem on the spot and insisting on seeing some of the children. "He would have loved it. It's such a shame we didn't do this when he was still with us." It comes after a similar piece of art was painted over in 2024. Birmingham City Council issued an apology after a sub-contractor painted over the mural in an underpass in Hockley. Mr Naphtali praised the city council for addressing the problem "very quickly". He said: "We met literally weeks after here, at Acorns, to talk about how we would move forward and relocate the mural to these gardens. "It all turned out well in the end." Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
BBC News
19-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
University names building in honour of late poet Benjamin Zephaniah
A university has renamed one of its buildings in honour of the late poet and activist Benjamin from Handsworth in Birmingham, was a Brummie legend whose career spanned poetry, literature, music and acting. He died in December 2023, aged City University (BCU) has now renamed a four-storey building, formerly known as University House, as the Benjamin Zephaniah Vice Chancellor David Mba said Zephaniah had strived to "give a voice to the voiceless" and to show that education must be inclusive. Zephaniah, the son of a Barbadian postman and a Jamaican nurse, was dyslexic and unable to read or write when he left school aged he went on to have a career that included performing dub poetry, writing novels and children's books, and appearing in the BBC series Peaky awarded him an honorary doctorate in 2005. Zephaniah died eight weeks after being diagnosed with a brain tumour, sparking tributes across his home city that have so far included an open-air exhibition, a mural, and a commemorative blue also launched a poetry competition last year in his honour. The contest launched its second edition last week and is open for entries until 21 wife Qian, Birmingham poet laureate Ayan Aden, and Baroness Mary Bousted, former joint general secretary of the National Education Union, attended the BCU building's official opening last building, which is on the university's city centre campus, has science labs, a space for design and technology, an art room, and general teaching rooms. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Benjamin Zephaniah given first city medal honour
The late writer and poet Benjamin Zephaniah will be the first recipient of a medal created to honour Birmingham residents. The Handsworth-born actor, whose work often addressed themes of racism, inequality and human rights, died in 2023 aged 65, after being diagnosed with a brain tumour. The city council has now approved proposals to posthumously confer upon Zephaniah the City of Birmingham Medal, in a move to celebrate his achievements. Sharon Thompson, deputy council leader, said he was a "proud Brummie and a man of compassion who never forgot the community that shaped him". The council created the medal in April 2023. Ms Thompson told Tuesday's full council meeting that when Zephaniah died, she made a promise to his family the city "would honour him in a significant way". "It's fitting he is the first recipient of this medal because he spent his whole life breaking new ground." The authority agreed it should consult with Zephaniah's family to make arrangements for awarding the medal within 12 months. Giving a statement on behalf of family this month, his brother Tippa Naphtali said following Zephaniah's death, his family were approached by "many individuals, organisations and institutions who wanted to stage events or initiatives in his memory". The family worked with more than 45 such parties nationally in the year following his passing, he added. "Such was the strength of feeling in Birmingham, we have worked (and are still working) with third parties on a number of legacy projects." Mr Naphtali said up to his death Zephaniah remained committed to doing everything he could to promote the city "on a national and international stage". The poet was "passionate about giving the city the recognition and national profile" it deserved, he added. Conservative councillor Darius Sandhu said Zephaniah "was a force that never forgot where he came from". And Roger Harmer, Liberal Democrat leader at the council, stated the poet grew up in a time of huge challenges, such as racism, inequality and the struggles of working class life. "He turned them into fuel for his art," he said. "His poetry reflects the rhythms of Birmingham's streets." Green Party councillor Julien Pritchard said he had been inspired by Zephaniah's sense of hope and justice. This news was gathered by the Local Democracy Reporting Service which covers councils and other public service organisations. Follow BBC Birmingham on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram. Black Sabbath and Zephaniah considered for city honours First tree planted in memory of Benjamin Zephaniah Benjamin Zephaniah Day to honour poet and activist Blue plaque honour to poet and activist unveiled Local Democracy Reporting Service Birmingham City Council
