London celebrated the life and legacy of Benjamin Zephaniah with a vibrant festival of music, poetry and unity at Brunel University—marking the first-ever Benjamin Zephaniah Day just days before what would have been his 67th birthday, according to standard.co.uk.
The beloved dub poet, actor and activist, best known for his role in Peaky Blinders and his fierce advocacy for racial justice, passed away in December 2023 after a battle with a brain tumour. But on Saturday, his spirit lived on through performances, workshops and heartfelt tributes.
Brunel’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Andrew Jones, called the event a fitting homage to a man who “gave voice to the voiceless.” The festival featured global artists, the Royal Society of Literature, and the Black Writers Guild, with themes echoing Zephaniah’s passions—social justice, veganism, Windrush and mental health.
His widow, Qian Zephaniah, shared his simple wish for his legacy: “Love.” She thanked the crowd for embodying that vision, saying the day reflected “what was close to Benjamin’s heart.”
A Bafta-winning poet and one of The Times’ top 50 post-war writers, Zephaniah rejected an OBE in protest of the British Empire’s colonial past. His words still resonate—”stand for justice, speak with kindness”—a call to action as powerful today as ever.
With plans to make this an annual event, his revolutionary voice continues to inspire.
•Featured image: Benjamin Zephaniah, who died at the age of 65 in December 2023/Ian West/PA
