Celebrating young black creatives: stories of belonging, resilience and creative power

This Black History Month, at Artswork, we wanted to celebrate the voices, stories and creative brilliance of young Black creatives and changemakers who are shaping culture and community in powerful ways. 

The significance of the historical Black experience is so important, but as a charity that empowers young people through creativity, we wanted to take this moment to celebrate young Black creatives and look to the future – a future shaped by their voices, visions, and vibrant contributions to culture and community. 

We asked our Breakthrough trainees to share black creatives or initiatives that inspire them. One young trainee chose to spotlight Melanin Skate Gals & Pals, a BPOC skateboarding collective that creates inclusive spaces for people of colour and the LGBTQIA+ community. They shared how discovering the group came at a time when they were searching for belonging in spaces where they often felt like a minority. Inspired by the collective’s vision, they found hope in the idea of a community where people could feel at ease, connect through shared interest and be themselves. 

We are also highlighting a range of young Black creatives across disciplines – from poetry and music to visual art and literature – whose work is rooted in identity, storytelling, and change: 

• Maureen Onwunali, a Dublin-born Nigerian poet and two-time national slam champion, uses spoken word to explore heritage, emotion, and empowerment.

• Kokoroko, an Afrobeat collective born out of London’s jazz scene, blends Highlife rhythms with diasporic storytelling, creating music that resonates across generations.

• Joke Amusan, a German-Nigerian artist based in London, creates immersive installations that explore Black womanhood, migration, and identity – inviting women to share their stories and embrace their authentic selves.

• Caleb Azumah Nelson, a British-Ghanaian writer and filmmaker, has been widely celebrated for his debut novel Open Water and his short film Pray, both of which explore love, vulnerability, and Black British identity.

These young creatives remind us that creativity is not just a tool for expression – it’s a force for connection, healing, and change. Their stories reflect the resilience and brilliance of young Black voices, and we’re proud to celebrate them this month and beyond.