Empowering Black & Brown Creatives | Kwanzaa Collective UK

Kwanzaa Collective UK is a Black artist-led charitable company connecting, supporting and championing Black, Brown and Global Majority creatives in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire and the surrounding areas. Using creativity, we raise the visibility and profile of artists, empower young people and inspire Black and Brown people to prioritise their wellbeing.

We curate art and wellbeing programmes that place racially marginalised people at the core of arts, heritage and outdoor spaces as leaders, creatives, artists and audiences. Our programmes educate, entertain and celebrate, building bridges across communities whilst connecting people from different ethnicities, backgrounds and age groups. Our main strands of interest are Artist Empowerment, Young People’s Empowerment, and Health & Wellbeing.

Kwanzaa Collective UK – Through creativity, collective activism and collaboration we are striving to leave the community more beneficial and beautiful than we inherited it.

Since 2020 Kwanzaa Collective UK have championed supported and connected Black, Brown and Global Majority creatives - providing work for artists, developing and delivering cultural programmes, and advocating for appropriate representation and engagement throughout our regional creative sector.

As in the celebration of Kwanzaa, our growing creative community utilize their creative talents for their own expression and to make a social impact in Staffordshire and the surrounding areas.

Look at our artist directory, where you’ll be able to connect with the talented individuals in our creative community. Get a glimpse into their interests, experience and sources of inspiration

‘We believe in the power of art to celebrate diverse cultures, histories, stories and communities. We envision a Staffordshire where arts, culture, heritage spaces and programmes reflect the diversity of the area. Our organisation serves as a hub, safe space, and place of connection for Black and Brown artists from other parts of the country. It is a springboard for local Black, Brown and Global Majority artists to thrive in Staffordshire and beyond by gaining skills, community and expanding their visibility and reach to a wider audience.’

Gabriella Gay – Founding Member and Artistic Director

Poet Gabriella is responsible for the creative vision of Kwanzaa Collective UK and is its programmes

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Anderson J West – Creative Tech Director

Filmmaker Anderson merges technology and creativity, overseeing development of innovative solutions supporting Kwanzaa's artistic initiatives successfully

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