I am a multidisciplinary writer, performer, visual artist, and artistic researcher whose practice spans poetry, fiction, spoken word performance, photography, criticism, and interdisciplinary storytelling. Over the past decade, I have developed a body of work rooted in African heritage, migration, spirituality, identity, memory, and contemporary cultural experience. My practice moves fluidly between text, image, performance, and research, often bridging literary craft with participatory public engagement and community‑centred creative development.
My work has evolved from individual artistic production into building creative ecosystems that support emerging writers and culturally diverse communities. Through workshops, mentoring, collaborative labs, and cultural programming, I create spaces where storytelling functions as both artistic expression and collective cultural dialogue. This commitment to community‑centred practice underpins my current direction and informs the development of Alkebulan Stories.
Major Projects & Creative Outputs
Alkebulan Art (Founder, 2024–Present)
A multidisciplinary creative platform supporting literature, film, photography, music, and visual arts. Through Alkebulan Art, I develop collaborative projects, publish creative work, and support emerging artists through workshops, mentoring, and creative development initiatives. The platform has become a home for Afrocentric storytelling, interdisciplinary experimentation, and community engagement.
Hymns of a Deepman (2024)
A hybrid literary‑visual project exhibited at the London Book Fair 2025, demonstrating my ability to produce work that resonates across literary and visual art audiences. The project explores spirituality, memory, and cultural identity through poetry and visual experimentation.
The Middlebelt of Enlightenment (2024)
A research‑driven literary project exploring cultural memory, identity, and philosophical reflection. This work deepened my engagement with narrative experimentation and informed my shift toward interdisciplinary storytelling.
Joe’s Collectanea (2023)
A collection of poems and short prose pieces published internationally. This project strengthened my editorial practice and expanded my readership across Africa, Europe, and the United States.
Editorial & Critical Projects (2016–2024)
I have edited and contributed to numerous literary and artistic projects, including:
• Behind the Viewfinder by Temilade Adelaja (2024)
• Omo Agosasa by Matthew Aderohunmu (2024)
• There Goes Life, Martha, and Everything Else by Tilewa Yussuf (2024)
• 48 Thoughts You Should Read by Echendu Chukwudi (2024)
• The Streets of London (2016)
These projects demonstrate my ability to support other artists, shape creative material, and contribute to the wider literary ecosystem.
Performance, Festivals & Public Programming
Since 2011, I have performed and facilitated events across the UK, Africa, and internationally. My performances integrate poetry, theatre, and audience interaction, positioning storytelling as a communal and participatory practice.
Key appearances include:
• Apples and Snakes — Jawdance, London
• Ubuntu Café readings at the London School of Economics
• Writing Our Legacy poetry readings
• Blackish International Festival
• World of Love Festival
• Yurt Café Poetry Sessions
• Bring Your Own Bars, London
• Lost Souls Poetry Night
• Bogobiri Poetry Nights, Lagos
• CORA Lagos Book & Art Festival programming
These engagements reflect my ability to connect with diverse audiences and contribute to cultural programming across multiple contexts.
Workshops, Mentoring & Community Engagement
A core part of my practice involves designing and facilitating creative workshops that build confidence, nurture emerging voices, and support artistic experimentation. My workshop practice includes:
• Creative writing and spoken word workshops (UK & international)
• Virtual facilitation at Pa Gya Literary Festival (2023)
• Creative sessions at Yurt Café, London
• Partnership workshops with Jimmy Asher Foundation (2024)
• Afrocentric Heritage: Immersive Africa — material development programme
• Writing retreats and mentoring with Writing Our Legacy
• Ongoing peer mentoring and artist support initiatives
Through these activities, I have supported early‑career writers, young creatives, and community participants, helping them develop their craft, build confidence, and access creative opportunities. My workshops often lead to new writing, collaborative projects, and sustained community engagement.
Collaborative & Venue‑Based Projects
Nude Words — In Conversation with Jude Speaks Da God (2024)
A poetry and book‑launch event held at Lesnes Abbey, featuring performances, readings, and community dialogue through literature and visual art. This project strengthened my relationship with both Jude Speaks Da God and Lesnes Abbey—two key partners in the Alkebulan Stories project. The event demonstrated my ability to activate cultural spaces, collaborate with other artists, and engage local audiences through participatory literary programming.
Collaborations with Artists & Facilitators
I have worked with a range of practitioners including:
• Jude Speaks Da God (author, performer, community storyteller)
• Talia Nizarane (visual artist and facilitator)
• Damilola Jegede (graphic designer)
• Henry Akubuiro (mentor and digital facilitator)
These collaborations have shaped my interdisciplinary approach and informed the structure of Alkebulan Stories.
Publications & Media Recognition
My writing has been published across Nigeria, Ghana, Uganda, Kenya, South Africa, the UK, the Netherlands, and the United States in platforms such as:
• The Guardian Nigeria
• The Nation
• Daily Monitor Uganda
• African Writers Magazine
• Spillwords Press
• Lagos Review
• Leeds Art Revue
• Modern Ghana
• NaijaTimes
• Poetry Potion
• Africanah
• WRR
• Muwado
My work has also received recognition from:
• Kirkus Reviews
• LoveReading UK (“Indie Book We Love”)
• The Independent
• Gazelle Africa
• The Mirror Ghana
• Poetry Reviews News
This international presence demonstrates the reach and impact of my creative practice.
Awards, Endorsements & Professional Recognition
• Arts Council England Global Talent Endorsement
• ARIBP Best Indie Writer Award (2nd Runner-Up, 2024)
• Creative Future Writers’ Award (Longlisted)
• Sahitya Sparsh Awards 2026 (Nominee)
These recognitions affirm the quality, ambition, and trajectory of my work.
Current Direction & Relevance to Alkebulan Stories
My practice is currently transitioning from individual authorship toward research‑driven cultural leadership, interdisciplinary development, and community‑centred creative facilitation. I am deepening this direction through recent approaches such as:
• MFA Creative Writing (York St John University, 2026–2028)
• Writing Our Legacy Covert Art Talent Development Programme (2026 cohort)
• Ongoing research‑led literary and visual projects
The Alkebulan Stories R&D project is a natural progression of this trajectory. It builds on my experience in:
• interdisciplinary storytelling
• workshop facilitation
• community engagement
• collaborative creation
• artist development
• cultural programming
It also draws directly from my long‑term partnerships with Jude Speaks Da God, Talia Nizarane, and Lesnes Abbey, ensuring the project is grounded in real relationships, lived experience, and established community trust.
