Announcing Rooted: Curating Black storytelling in the North

Black storytelling and culture will be showcased in Yorkshire from next month as part of a high-profile events programme entitled Rooted.

The stellar line-up includes iconic dub poet Linton Kwesi Johnson, giant of Brazilian poetry Conceição Evaristo and internationally acclaimed T S Eliot Award-winner Roger Robinson and Sunday Times bestselling author Candice Brathwaite as well as a children’s festival of Black  literature called Likkle Lit.

Rooted begins in Black History Month and runs until Spring 2026 across Leeds with more events in the wider region to be announced and comes following demand from local communities; the first event featuring Linton Kwesi Johnson, Conceição Evaristo and Roger Robinson is entitled Sound System: Music & Poetry of the Black Atlantic and takes place at Royal Armouries in Leeds on Wednesday 8 October and is in partnership with the National Poetry Centre. Talking: Candice Brathwaite takes place at Leeds Playhouse on Tuesday 11 November with a host of other events already scheduled. 

Rooted is the brainchild of community interest company Out of Many People which was awarded £60,000 through Arts Council National Lottery Project Grants to bring the dynamic events programme to life. It sees exciting programming of icons and international names and local talent with equal respect.

Out of Many People was founded in 2024 by Susan Pitter and Dawn Cameron, whose work and collaborations over decades in the arts and culture scene have been widely acclaimed.

Their vision will see the CIC building on the hugely successful 2022/23 Out of Many Festival of Culture, conceptualised by Susan and Dawn and directed by Susan for the Jamaica Society Leeds.

Out of Many People will illuminate Black British, Caribbean and African diaspora storytelling and narratives via arts, heritage and cultural programming in the North.

It, like the festival before it, takes its name from Jamaica’s national motto reflective of the island’s diverse make up: “Out of Many, One People.”.

National Lottery Project Grants is the Arts Council’s open access programme for arts, museums and libraries projects. The fund supports thousands of individual artists, community and cultural organisations thanks to National Lottery investment.

National Lottery players raise over £30 million for good causes each week, funding arts, heritage, sports, voluntary and charity projects around the UK. Over £43 billion has been raised for Good Causes since the National Lottery began in 1994.

Susan Pitter, Out of Many People co-founder, said:

“Black culture’s impact is undeniable.  Here in the North we deserve more opportunities to experience exceptional programming rooted in authentic Black British arts, culture and heritage without having to travel hundreds of miles to London.

“Rooted will give audiences in Leeds and the wider Yorkshire & Humber something we know our audiences are crying out for – quality programming highlighting the storytelling, diversity and excellence of Black culture.

“From literary giants and inspirational children’s authors to influential voices and community talent, we can’t wait to release our full Rooted programme made possible thanks to funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England.”

Dawn Cameron, fellow Out of Many People founder, said: “Our experience demonstrates that there is a strong demand for quality programming that reflects audiences’ experiences, narratives and heritage.

“Through Rooted, we’ll work with partners and stakeholders to bring high-quality, engaging events to the north of England.”

Pete Massey, Director Yorkshire, Arts Council England said: “We want everyone to be able to access and take part in arts and culture that is representative of the community where they live so I’m really pleased that we have been able to support Rooted which will bring some big name authors, writers and illustrators to Leeds as part of its ambitious programme. It’s great to see Rooted working with libraries and local people, as well as running workshops and the children’s Black writing festival. I’m sure that Rooted will inspire both the community and visitors to think about how they can tell their own stories through literature and poetry.”

Rooted’s full list of events can be found here.