After one year of collectively sharing writing, thoughts and performance WriteB4TheMic has become more than a monthly drop-in poetry night. It’s become a movement. We were there to celebrate with this creative, diverse and energising collective.
WriteB4TheMic, in collaboration with Metxwork, brought together an eclectic group of dreamers for an inspiring evening of activities at the Advocacy Academy in Brixton to celebrate one year of collaboration and creativity. But it wasn’t just a birthday party, the event was also fundraiser for Prostate Cancer UK which raised £400.
Billed as a “Creative Carousel”, Starlight and her team of "Creative Catalysts" including Tifany MarSah and Grace Gachoki, hosted uplifting spoken word performances. Accompanied by an immersive experience of poetry, screenings of past WB4TM sessions and silent reading time. Then, downstairs in a separate space, established poets, Ley Speaks, Kofi Achina ,The Lantern Carrier, as well as up and coming poets Poetic Parabells and Clementine Marlow-Hunt, spoke about their work and process with small groups of attendees in “Scratch This” sessions.
Evenings at WriteB4TheMic often start with a word, such as “love”. Then, Starlight and her family of supporters gently curate activities that pull on that thread. Allowing attendees to explore what that might mean to them by way of writing, sharing thoughts and then performing what they have just written to a diverse, welcoming group. Safeguarding and mental health is central to the experience and you’ll often see resident counsellor Nikki, sitting quietly with someone as they work though something that has moved them. Therapy through poetry and community.
Spending time in the WriteB4TheMic space removes one from the world for a while. Sweeping you into an energy flow of feelings, possibility and creativity. You feel like you are part of something transcendental. A kind of antidote to AI environment that creatives are currently craving. An opportunity to sit and think, to visit with oneself and others.
We sat down with WB4TM leader Starlight, who many simply refer to as “Mum”, to talk to her about what this year has meant, why it matters and what’s coming next.
What was the moment when you decided that you needed to create this space?
When I came back into the poetry scene after taking a break, I was looking for a sense of community and belonging - not just a space to perform. I felt there was a need for open safe spaces to welcome those wanting to experience writing and performing. Whether independently or collectively and in a workshop setting, I wanted there to be room for new creatives and seasoned creatives to develop their expression, both on and off the page. I wanted to bring back community connection to collaborate and create. Developing ways to connect, debate and engage with one another, to build on human connectivity was essential for me. The aim was for anyone who came through the door to feel they could respectfully speak in a calm, comfortable space and share work by choice, so we could learn, develop and build together.
"Write B4 The Mic has shown me what community crafted in creativity looks like. I feel like I can connect with others, authentically. Every time, I’m surprised at how home like and relaxed the vibe can be, whilst nurturing a space to explore themes and topics that deeply resonate" - Grace, WriteB4TheMic Creative Catalyst, poet.
How did you approach it all from the beginning – what were your first steps?
Intuitively. I followed my gut, driven by purpose and the hope of building a community. Reflecting on the events I'd been to and developing a 6 month plan for workshops and themes.
Was there a moment when it all came together – where you felt like “this is it. This is where we are all meant to be”
The beginning was a blessing - new faces, and continuous support from poets.
Getting to the 6 month mark around Christmas was special, I felt like a home had been established and a community. In a time where many struggled and with little to celebrate, we came together for a beautiful workshop and a terrific Open Mic as people celebrating life. It was a beautiful day of connecting, playfulness, singing and dancing. I saw community and witnessed healing. It was beautiful to see how many people had developed positive connections through being in this space - smiling, laughing everyone was blooming individually and together. People who had come and never performed, performed feeling welcome and at ease knowing everyone could be themselves. There were no expectations, just a respectful space to be expressive.
"WriteB4TheMic gives me a place where I can feel and belong to a community and reminds me that I have a heart and brought back my child-like spirit." - Duncan the Sage, WriteB4TheMic Creative Catalyst and Photographer, Poet and Co-Founder of NeuroHeart platform for Neurodiversity.
Did you come up against any challenges or obstacles? How did you overcome them?
I faced many challenges within myself - would I be able to create a community space I knew was needed?
It is challenging finding suitable spaces that are safe and inclusive to all, accessible and easy to travel to and from connecting all over London. Especially in a self funded situation.
I prayed, manifested and believed in the purpose, that no matter what, with my intention a solution will be revealed. Having a supportive small network in community, advice and help (including you Tim - thank you ) was given in finding solutions to move forward.
What drives you to keep on going?
A sense of bringing people together, connection, belonging and community in a safe space. I love seeing people connect, surprising themselves in self-discovery and playfulness which has often been forgotten with day-to-day life. Being able to facilitate, host and hold space to see this and watch people bloom in their becoming is a humbling experience. My dream is being actualised by every soul that comes to Write B4 The Mic and I feel driven to continue through the purpose of building and supporting the community.
WB4TM Attendees, and Nikki WB4TM Resident Therapist. Image copyright: Tim Foley: @writespeakrecover
What have been the standout moments or performances over the past year?
Honestly there've been so many epic moments. The birthday of ideas and seeing them come to reality is so meaningful to me. For example, “Creative Cocktails” where two poets come together to deliver a collaborative performance in a specific time frame. The energy is always wild with those! Watching ideas like this come to life makes me feel honoured and proud. My ultimate highlight is creating a space where we can all go back to the playful side in us, creating space for the child in us that has been forgotten and really begin to use our voices again just to express not deliver, where we soothe, heal and recover.
How have you seen your community grow – in numbers,
We started with around 13-15 people, now numbers can sometimes go up to 40, averaging at 20 -25 monthly, however it is quieter in the Summer. For the anniversary with the Creative Carousel, we had about 50-55 people in circulation.
What advice would you give to someone wanting to engage with their community?
Take the step to find out what's going on, whatever you are interested in, there will be something for everyone and if there isn't - think about how you could create that and include people you know - your network is your net-worth.
Come and speak to us, happy to see if I can help.
Celebrating the 1 year anniversary of WriteB4TheMic was beautiful! Starlight’s care and attention was evident in how magically curated the whole evening, each space presented a new experience of poetry and flowed nicely. The talent showcased across the evening and energy received from the audience was a lovely interaction. A sense of strong community is always felt here, especially this evening, between older and newer members alike.- Eugenie, WB4TM attendee.
Looking back over the year, with all you have learned, what would you have done differently?
Everything happens when it's meant to, we are where we are meant to be... Maybe I would have taken the steps to create and facilitate this space sooner, challenging and believing in myself to set aside FEAR.
Everything is a learning curve. Everything positive or negative has taught me something in growing and developing my way of moving forward.The journey is so important in challenging our mindset, learning and moving forward for ourselves and helping others where we can.
"The space you held was truly incredible & your energy was so powerful & grounding. I’m really looking forward to what else you create. The vibe, the creatives & your energy. I resonate with it all." - Poetic Parabells.
What does the future hold for WriteB4TheMic?
To keep building belonging in the community. Connecting, collaborating and creating. Involving the next generation with a Young People's Ambassador, where we recognise a lot of young people do not have creative spaces to explore their world. Developing Writers Workshops with suggestions given over the year and to include more attendees in the process.
For our poets to facilitate and become Thematic leads , hosting the events. More collaborative works are in the pipeline delivering workshops to help human engagement and team building in the wider community.
More awareness and open mics focused around well-being and internal dialogues to open layers of discovery to develop our relationship with creativity and how we connect with our place in the world.
The Creative Carousel has so much potential to be something never seen in our community yet. It was an event layered in warmth from start to finish. - Tifany MarSah, WriteB4TheMic Creative Catalyst, poet.
Any final words?
Simply thank you. Thank you everyone who has come through the doors of WB4TM and has been changed and has changed me. Thank you to my closest supporters, you all know who you are and how much you matter to me. What we have built wouldn’t be possible without your energy, advice, commitment and belief. As I watch you work, write and perform it propels me onwards – to keep expanding this community and developing my own artistic journey. It’s so wonderful to be on this path with you all.
In closing, "It felt good to be a part of something special in the community, where new ideas are introduced and explored, the Carousel delivered an amazing night" - The Metaphorest, WB4TM collaborator, poet.
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