BESTOFKENT
MAGGIE HARRIS
BERNARDINE EVARISTO
MOSES MCKENZIE demographics are now changing and diversity is beginning to flourish more, his work feels both timely and essential.
Literature
Kent is no stranger to literary talent and its Black writers are enriching the cultural conversation with stories that resonate far beyond the county’ s borders. These voices bring fresh perspectives, weaving heritage and identity into narratives that challenge, inspire and uplift those that read them.
Maggie Harris – Poetry Rooted in Place and Memory
Maggie Harris, originally from Guyana, has long been a literary powerhouse in Kent. Having lived in Thanet for many years, she studied at the University of Kent, gaining a BA in African and Caribbean Studies and an MA in Post-Colonial Studies. Her award-winning poetry collections, including Limbolands and Sixty Years of Loving, explore themes of migration, belonging and love. Harris also won the Commonwealth Short Story Prize for her story Sending for Chantal, cementing her place on the international stage.
For all her accolades, however, Harris’ s contribution to Kent is deeply local: she has nurtured budding writers through creative writing courses in Broadstairs, inspiring many to find their own voices. Additionally, her return to Thanet after a decade in Wales marked a homecoming for both the poet and the community that she continues to enrich.
Bernardine Evaristo – A Booker Winner with a Kentish Connection
While primarily based in London, Bernardine Evaristo OBE – Booker Prize-winning author of Girl, Woman, Other – has forged a meaningful link with Kent by opening her Ramsgate cottage as a retreat for writers. This generous initiative underscores Evaristo’ s lifelong commitment to mentoring underrepresented voices and creating pathways for the next generation of writers.
Her decision to offer a quiet Kentish haven for creativity places her firmly within the county’ s cultural story, reminding us that literature thrives where opportunity is nurtured.
Moses McKenzie – A New Voice for a New Era
Though based in Bristol, Moses McKenzie represents the exciting future of Black British literature and his influence is fast rippling across the South East. His debut novel, An Olive Grove in Ends, won the prestigious Hawthornden and Somerset Maugham Prizes, while his second, Fast by the Horns, continues his exploration of identity and belonging against the backdrop of Britain’ s social history.
McKenzie’ s stories resonate strongly with Kent’ s growing audience of diverse readers and writers, holding up a mirror to the Black British experience that feels as poetic as it does necessary.
What unites these artists, musicians, designers and writers is not only their individual brilliance but also their shared commitment to community. Whether it’ s Michi Masumi’ s workshops for grassroots artists, Greg Bunbury’ s advocacy through design, or Maggie Harris’ s nurturing of new literary voices, each of these creatives is building a legacy of inclusion and empowerment.
Events like The Black Art Trail and cultural festivals across Medway and Canterbury provide spaces where the wider community can celebrate these contributions. By turning art galleries, streets and stages into places of storytelling, these initiatives are helping to transform our progressive county into one where creativity is both inclusive and accessible, adding another layer of depth and excitement for the future.
Black History Month is not only about looking back, it is about recognising how history is still being written today. The contributions of Black creatives in Kent are proof of this living history, reminding us that culture is not static, but that it evolves with each story told, each song sung and each piece of art created. Supporting these artists means more than applauding their work. It means attending exhibitions, buying books, going to gigs, commissioning design work and sharing their stories to help build a cultural economy in Kent where everyone’ s creativity has the space to thrive.
As the spotlight shines on Black History Month, Kent has much to celebrate. From the soulful melodies of Omar and the bold visuals of The Black Art Hub to the lyrical power of Maggie Harris and the trailblazing initiatives of Bernardine Evaristo, Black creatives are ensuring that Kent’ s cultural scene is vibrant, inclusive and future-facing. Their stories remind us that creativity is not just about self-expression, it is about connection, empowerment and community. In celebrating these voices, we celebrate Kent itself; a county enriched by diversity, proud of its talent and open to the stories still to come. www. insidekent. co. uk • 19