Blue plaque unveiled for Benjamin Zephaniah
A blue plaque commemorating Birmingham poet and activist Benjamin Zephaniah has been unveiled in his home city.
The prestigious plaque honours the poet for his decades of work in Birmingham – and across the world.
It was commissioned by the Nubian Jak Community Trust which memorialises the historic contributions of Black and minority ethnic people. It’s been co-sponsored by The National Trust and The Black Writers Guild.
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 called ‘street politics.’
‘Benjamin’s words and actions worked tirelessly to bring the histories, struggles, and triumphs of the community into the light,’ explains Qian Zephaniah, Benjamin’s wife.
‘I believe Benjamin’s passion for truth and equality will continue to inspire future generations in Birmingham and beyond.’
The plaque 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.
Friends, family and peers attended the unveiling of a plaque dedicated to Benjamin Zephaniah at Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery on Wednesday, 16th October, 2024.
From left to right: Lemn Sissay, Pogus Caesar, Qian Zephaniah, Kadija George Sesay and Jak Beula.
Photograph: James Beck. Copyright: National Trust.
‘Benjamin, you are a voice that roars with the rhythm of resistance, a poet who moves to the beat of justice,’ says Fellow poet Lemn Sissay.
‘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.’
Taking poetry everywhere
Benjamin’s first real public performance was in church when he was just 10 years old. By the time he was 15 he had developed a strong following in his area of Handsworth.
He quickly 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.
‘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,’ says Jak Beula of the Nubian Jak Community Trust.
‘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, the co-founder of the Black Writers’ Guild recalls how Benjamin once wrote that he was trying to play his 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,’ says Nels.
‘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!’
Photograph: James Beck. Copyright: National Trust.
‘A unique voice speaking out for so many communities’
‘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.’
‘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,’ says Emma Hawthorne, Assistant Director of Consultancy at National Trust in the Midlands and East of England.
‘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.’
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. He also inspired many to take up writing poetry themselves.
‘Benjamin was a proud Brummie, an icon of the City of Birmingham and his voice reached around the world,’ says Toby Watley Director of Collections and Estate for Birmingham Museums Trust.
‘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.
