The Black at Sussex programme, in partnership with the Library, held a celebration event on Wednesday 8 May to mark Jenny Mitchell’s Poetry Residency as it draws to a close. View more photos from the event.

Jenny, an award-winning poet and Sussex alumna, returned to Sussex as Poet-in-Residence during spring 2024, facilitating The Wicked Problems Series, a set of roundtable discussions with students, staff and members of the public. During the sessions she opened up conversations around ‘race’, identities and experiences within higher education. The series was followed by creative workshops, led by Jenny, that brought together the themes of Black resistance and agency through the power of language.

Hosted by Gavin Mensah-Coker, co-founder and steering committee member of the Black at Sussex programme, the celebration event on 8 May focused once again the power of poetry to tackle the ‘wicked problems’ of our time. Professor Allan Lester, Dr Alice Corble and Nadia Pattenden joined Jenny in reflecting on the residency, before Jenny shared some of her poetry and invited others to take part in an open mic. A Q&A session also gave the community the opportunity to share their thoughts and questions.

Following the event, Jenny said: “The closing celebration was a complete joy, especially because the Library organised it so well, and the people who read in the open mic were overwhelmingly good. I loved hearing their amazing poems on the theme of ‘wicked problems’, and the packed audience were also quick to show their appreciation.

“As an alumna, it was wonderful to perform three of my poems and to get such generous feedback. I couldn't have asked for a better end to my residency.”

Professor David Ruebain, Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Culture, Equality and Inclusion) said: “It was an honour to welcome Jenny to campus as Poet-in-Residence and we were delighted to celebrate her work at the celebration event. Over the past months, through creative and powerful roundtables and workshops with our University community, Jenny has helped us explore how poetry and language can support understanding and dialogue around ‘wicked problems’, helping to mitigate their impact.”

Hear more from Jenny Mitchell about why poetry matters on the Culture Matters website.

View photos from the event by clicking on the image below. 
Photo credit: Diensen Pamben.

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