ABOUT SHANIQUA

I'm Shaniqua Benjamin – a poet, writer, professional coach (Level 5 EMCC accredited), mentor, curator and consultant. I am also a trustee for Talawa Theatre Company. Making a difference and spreading love, while empowering and amplifying the voices of others, is at the core of everything I do.

Between 2014-2021, I ran Young People Insight CIC (YPI), a platform to empower young people through creativity, conversation and writing, which is where my poetry and mentoring journeys began.

My poetry has been published by Ink, Sweat & Tears, Magma, and RRB Photobooks as part of Ameena Rojee's photobook Crocus Valley. I have performed at numerous events, including the Trinity College Cambridge Black History Month Formal Dinner, and as part of Apples & Snakes' immersive spoken word show, Rallying Cry.

In 2019, I was longlisted for the Out-Spoken Prize for Poetry in the Performance category, and also named to The Blacklist - GUAP’s 30 Under 30 for Black Creatives and Professionals.

In 2022, I was awarded the Investing in Equality scholarship by The Black Fund to attend the One Young World summit in Manchester. I was given the opportunity to speak on a panel with Leigh-Anne Pinnock and share a specially written poem, We, to empower black women and girls. This led to me writing a poem for Leigh-Anne's first headline show in 2024.

I was chosen to be Croydon's first Poet Laureate from 2020-2024, engaging with the local community through projects, workshops and poetry readings. As a Caribbean Croydoner, a significant moment was collaborating with the National Portrait Gallery and Museum of Croydon on the exhibition Citizen UK: Croydon's Caribbean Influencers.

Facilitating workshops and conversations is where I thrive, which has led to me working with numerous schools and organisations, including Spread The Word, Central St Martins, Writerz & Scribez, Total Insight Theatre and Crisis.