New plaque honours Birmingham poet and activist Benjamin Zephaniah

The prestigious plaque honours the poet and his decades of work and activism in Birmingham and across the world.

The plaque has been commissioned by the Nubian Jak Community Trust, that memorialises the historic contributions of Black and minority ethnic people in Britain and beyond; and has been co-sponsored by the National Trust and the Black Writers Guild.

It was being put up inside the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery which will have his typewriter on display as part of the next stage of the gallery’s phased opening from Thursday, 24 October 2024 when several galleries reopen.

Benjamin Zephaniah, who died in December, was born and raised in Birmingham, where his earliest memories include writing poetry. His poetry is strongly influenced by the music and poetry of Jamaica and what he calls ‘street politics’.

His first real public performance was in church when he was 10 years old, by the time he was 15 he had developed a strong following in his area of Handsworth where he had gained a reputation as a young poet who was capable of speaking on local and international issues.

He sought to take poetry everywhere, through readings, publishing and through his band. He sought to popularise poetry by reaching people who did not read books and is known for bringing Dub Poetry straight into British living rooms through television but also inspired many to take up writing poetry themselves.

Qian Zephaniah, Benjamin’s wife, said: “Benjamin’s words and actions worked tirelessly to bring the histories, struggles, and triumphs of the community into the light. I believe Benjamin’s passion for truth and equality will continue to inspire future generations in Birmingham and beyond.”

Fellow poet Lemn Sissay said: “Benjamin, you are a voice that roars with the rhythm of resistance, a poet who moves to the beat of justice. Your words rise like flames, lighting paths for those who seek truth and freedom. You’ve ignited fires of change and given countless people the courage to rise.”

Jak Beula of the Nubian Jak Community Trust said: "It's a tremendous honour to work with Benjamin Zephaniah's wife, family, friends and other supporters to honour him in the city of his birth. Benjamin was a national treasure and the plaque we are installing at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery will be seen by tens of thousands of people in the future. It will outlast all of us and remain in situ for as long as the museum is standing."

Nels Abbey, Co-founder of the Black Writers' Guild said: "In an October 2020 piece for the Guardian titled ‘Black people will not be respected until our history is respected’, Benjamin wrote: “I might be old. I might be history myself. But I am trying to play my part in the creation of the Black Writers’ Guild, to make sure our history is told by us, and our future is visualised by us.” Those words have become our vision and mission statement at the Black Writers’ Guild. We work to ensure we live up to the dreams and ethos Benjamin set for us. Baba Benjamin was never old – far from it. And he will never be history. He was and is eternal. He lives on in the best of all of us. As fearless creator, writer and thinker he represents the best of what we visualise for the future. And he continues to guide, shape and inspire the possibilities for our collective future. We miss you Benjamin. We thank you for your service, your wisdom, your integrity, your humour and even your militant veganism! As a Guild and as a collective of Black writers who seek to walk in your footsteps, we can only hope and pray that we live up to your expectations. Sun Re O Baba Benjamin. Rest in Power."

Emma Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Consultancy at National Trust in the Midlands and East of England , said: “This blue plaque will honour Benjamin’s work as a unique voice speaking out for so many communities not just in Birmingham but across the UK and the world. We were able to work with him on the Roundhouse Project in the city recently and the chance to help make this plaque possible is one we could not miss.”

Toby Watley Director of Collections and Estate for Birmingham Museums Trust said: “Benjamin was a proud Brummie, an icon of the City of Birmingham and his voice reached around the world.
“He was also a great friend to Birmingham Museums, and we are immensely proud to host this plaque at Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, the city’s main civic cultural building, where it will be seen by millions of people.”

The plaque will be able to be seen in the Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery after the reopening on Thursday 24 October.