Mixing Roots Programme
Programmes closed – (schools programme planned) but do get in touch if you’re a young woman of colour age 14-25. We hope to have an opportunity for you soon.
About Mixing Roots
The Mixing Roots project was set up in 2019 by poet Warda Yassin with the support of Hive. It exists to encourage and support the creative development of young women writers of colour – new, aspiring and emerging. Over the last few years, several Mixing Roots programmes have been delivered and several pamphlet publications produced.
Warda Yassin is a British Somali poet and English teacher. She was Sheffield Poet Laureate 2020-2022 and was awarded the Women Poets’ Prize 2020/21. Warda often writes about her experiences as a British Somali and about her heritage and community and in 2018, her debut pamphlet Tea with Cardamom was a winner of the New Poets Prize (The Poetry Business). Warda has been a part of the South Yorkshire writers network (now Hive) for many years and knows firsthand from her own experience, how writing networks can support young writers to reach their potential.
Danae Wellington is a Jamaican British writer and Sheffield Poet Laureate 2023-2024. She advocates for healing through the creative arts, specifically through the fusion of poetry, storytelling, music and theatre. She’s been published in several anthologies and has performed widely at places like the Ted Hughes Poetry Festival and Sheaf Poetry Festival. Danae is passionate about leading projects aimed at supporting young people from African Diaspora backgrounds to tell their stories and use their voices.
Sile Sibanda is a British Zimbabwean poet, spoken word performer, and BBC radio presenter. As well as being an active part of the Hive community, she has hosted open mics and events for Hive over the last few years and is loved by everyone for her warmth and encouragement of young voices. Sile hails from Rotherham and in 2019 she won the BBC Radio Sheffield ‘This is Me’ presenting competition and subsequently became the host of The Vibe on BBC Radio Sheffield.