Creative writing workshop inspired by David Oluwale's story, exploring migration, identity, belonging and cultural crossroads.

A Remember Oluwale & Chapel FM event

With Emily Zobel Marshall and supported by Leeds Beckett University as part of the Being Human Festival

We invite you to join us on a unique writing journey. Bring your ideas, pens and an open heart to a poetry workshop facilitated by the Remember Oluwale anti-racist charity and Chapel FM community radio and arts centre and supported by Leeds Beckett University.

Using David Oluwale's story as a starting point, this creative writing workshop explores themes of cross-cultural fusion, migration, identity and the cultural crossroads that shape our lives and communities.

Through creative writing activities and shared discussion, participants will reflect on belonging, memory, place and the stories we inherit and create. The conversation will continue over a themed meal inspired by ideas of fusion and migration, before participants are invited to share their writing as part of a live radio broadcast from Chapel FM, or simply enjoy the experience as part of the studio audience.

Inspired by humanities research into David Oluwale's legacy, migrant communities in Leeds, race, social justice, folklore, memory, the Black Outdoors and marginalised voices, this welcoming workshop is suitable for anyone with an interest in creativity, local history and contemporary culture.

Attendees can choose to join the writing workshop, the live broadcast or both. Please select the appropriate tickets in the booking link.

No previous writing experience is needed. Please note that some of the themes discussed may be challenging; the workshop is recommended for ages 12 and over.

How to book

Workshop: book via this page.

Radio broadcast: if you would like to book for the radio broadcast either as an audience member or to share your creative writing from the workshop, please book seperately here. (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1997971531635?aff=oddtdtcreator)

Meet the facilitator

Emily Zobel Marshall is a poet, literary activist, and Professor at Leeds Beckett University. An expert in African diasporic cultures, she’s published Anansi’s Journey: A Story of Jamaican Cultural Resistance (2012) and American Trickster: Trauma, Tradition and Brer Rabbit (2019). She co-edited Oluwale Now: An Anthology of Poetry, Prose and Artwork (2023) with Sai Murry and has written two poetry collections published by Peepal Tree Press, Bath of Herbs (2023) and Other Wild (2025). Her work explores folklore, cultural resistance and 'othered' perspectives on the natural world.

What to bring

As our workshop will be focused on the theme of thresholds and belonging please bring in a (small) object which you feel connects with one or both of these themes. We will ask participants to explain how the object resonates with them at the start of the session. We look forward to seeing what you bring in!

Trigger warning

We'll be discussing sensitive topics and how we can find hope in the darkness. Themes surrounding David's life and death include mental ill-health, homelessness and racism. Please feel free to contact us before the workshop if you have concerns.

With thanks to

This event is part of Being Human Festival, the UK’s national festival of the humanities, taking place 5-14 November 2026. Led by the School of Advanced Study, University of London, in partnership with the Arts and Humanities Research Council and the British Academy. For further information please see beinghumanfestival.org

Description supplied by the event organiser.