The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures
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The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures

‘The Black Poetry Lectures are a series of conversations with the Black canon across four regions, delivered by contemporary Black poets. It’s about building a living poetry collection across time. This is a space for the poet, the academic, the student and for readers, listeners, elders, and young people alike, anyone drawn to the depth and possibility of Black poetry.’

— Dr Nick Makoha, Founder of Obsidian Foundation

A series of lectures exploring the rich canon of Black poets in Africa, the Caribbean, the UK and USA.

After a successful pilot in 2023, Arvon is excited to be partnering with Obsidian to co-host The Black Poetry Lectures 2026. Fortnightly in June, July, September and October 2026, four award-winning poets will explore four distinct areas of the Black poetry canon, looking at Black writers past and present from Africa, the US, the Caribbean and the UK.

Join us for a deep dive into the Black poetry canon, equipping you to explore what a decolonised poetry canon might look like and future-proofing the names of Black poets at risk of being forgotten. Each session is £10 with half-price concessions and fully funded places available. The series is not-for-profit and open to all. If you’re able, we encourage you to pay it forward by paying the full price. All proceeds will go directly towards a bursary for Black writers to attend an Arvon course in 2027, supporting the next generation of voices and ensuring this work continues beyond the lectures.

The Black Poetry Lectures:

• 75 mins duration

• A lecture/talk series on 2-3 Black poets from a region as an online talk, followed by a Q&A

• Each tutor will lead two lectures on a specific region (Africa, America, Caribbean and UK)

• Thursday lunchtimes 1.3.00-14.00 BST, followed by 15 min Q&A

• Recordings will be available to watch afterwards if you aren’t able to attend live

Jun 25

Online

Poetry

The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures: Session One

American poetry with Roger Robinson

Roger Robinson

Jul 9

Online

Poetry

The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures: Session Two

Poetry of the UK & Europe with Victoria Adukwei Bulley

Victoria Adukwei Bulley

Jul 23

Online

Poetry

The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures: Session Three

Caribbean poetry with Lorna Goodison

Lorna Goodison

Aug 6

Online

Poetry

The Obsidian Black Poetry Lectures: Session Four

African poetry with Ama Asantewa Diaka

Ama Asantewa Diaka

The Black Poets Masterclass Series (2023)

In 2023, Arvon partnered with Obsidian, RSL, The National Poetry Library and The Authors’ Licensing and Collecting Society to host The Black Poets Masterclass Series.

The series brought together four award-winning poets, Dzifa Benson, Anthony Joseph, Karen McCarthy Woolf and Jason Allen-Paisant, each exploring a distinct region of the Black poetry canon. Across eight months, the lectures examined writers past and present from Africa, the Caribbean, the UK and the United States, opening up conversations around literary heritage, influence and visibility.

The series also contributed to a bursary fund that supported Black writers in attending an Arvon Residential Course in 2024.

This inaugural programme laid the foundation for the continued development of The Black Poetry Lectures, which returns in 2026 with a more international focus.