MELAN8 2025
MELAN8 2025 | ONLINE GATHERING, FESTIVAL & AFTER-PARTY | MARCH 2025
MELAN8 2025 | Black Artists, Arts Practitioners and Professionals from across the Midlands and UK
Last updated: March 5, 2025
More than 50 Black and Black-heritage artists and cultural leaders will convene at a 14th century Coventry venue in March as part of a new hybrid festival which invites all to celebrate the Black creative community.
Melan8, a festival of unique and shared heritages across Black cultures, will see creatives from across the West Midlands and beyond gather for a day of live music, dance, poetry and performances alongside a host of fascinating panels and workshops at St Mary’s Guildhall on Saturday, March 29.
The hybrid festival, which begins with a free Online Gathering on International Women’s Day (March 8), will bring together emergent and established Black talent and expertise from across the arts, cultural and creative sectors and platform performers, artists, writers, academics and community leaders.
The free gathering on March 8, The OG, will include workshops on yoga, mindfulness, somatic movement and sound healing, and be intersected with mini-interviews, poetry and reflections from 9.30am until 1.30pm.
Melan8 culminates on Saturday, March 29 with an eclectic arts and culture programme comprising of a festival (11am-7pm) and after-party (7.30pm-12am), taking up space and sharing culture at St Mary’s Guildhall in the heart of Coventry city centre, complete with karaoke, “Paint N Party”, and prizes to be won.
Professional development workshops in creative writing, theatre direction and publishing also feature as part of the March 29 programme, with film, comedy, DJs, painting and an Ethiopian Coffee Ceremony all in the spotlight at one of the city’s most historically significant venues.
An audio tour of St Mary’s Guildhall, which chronicles anti-slavery campaigner Frederick Douglass’s visit to the venue, will also be available.
The festival is the creation of multi-award-winning Coventry arts production house, Weusi Ltd and is led by its Artistic Director, Nyasha Daley.
Its name is derived from ‘melanated’, which is defined by Merriam-Webster as ‘highly pigmented; containing melanin in high concentrations used in reference to Black and Black heritage communities’.
Weusi has been working with the community engagement team at St Mary’s Guildhall for several months to create a programme that positively profiles Black talent, while inviting people of all heritages through the door to discuss, enjoy, explore and engage with the arts through a Black diasporic lens.
Nyasha said: “Melan8 is both a cultural celebration and an inclusive space for black artists to have the freedom of the stage, for everyone to enjoy.
“As a production house, Weusi is focused on creating work that positively platforms and profiles Black professionals, invoking the positive impacts and opportunities that intersectional and equitable collaborations can make.
“Melan8 is an opportunity for us all to enjoy the incredible creative output that exists within the Black diaspora within the beautiful confines of St. Mary’s.
“It’s also a chance for us all to learn more about creative practice, diasporic community and intersectional culture, helping us all develop better connections and stronger dialogues. All of this responds to the theme of this year’s festival, which is Common/Unity.”
Melan8’s theme of Common/Unity encourages an exploration of what it means and takes to build communities, the burden of cultural and community leadership, the lessons we can learn from our ancestors and the innovations we can learn from young people, as well as the practicalities of maintaining a sense of community during modern times.
Contributors include Professor Kehinde Andrews, the first Black Studies professor in the UK; poet and playwright, and former Birmingham Poet Laureate, Casey Bailey; creative director of the Belgrade Theatre Corey Campbell; MP for Coventry North West Taiwo Owatemi; CEO of Europe's largest Black owned Arts and Business Centre Keith Shayaam; chief executive officer and artistic director of Warwick Arts Centre Doreen Foster; Culture Central partnerships & development manager Charlene Carter-James; CEO and artistic director of Eloquent Dance Romanah Buchanan.
They are joined by multi-disciplinary artist, and designer of the Queen’s Baton (Commonwealth Games), Laura Nyahuye; soprano opera and concert singer Abigail Kelly; Inini Founder and Doctor of Philosophy scholar Last Mafuba; chief executive of refugee charity Together Now Victor Iringere; award-winning creative producer, and founder of More Than A Moment, Elizabeth Zeddie Lawal; author and publisher Marcia M Spence; artist and writer Jamal Gerald; actress, director and writer Tonia Daley-Campbell; Birmingham comedienne Annette Fagon; dancer, cultural leader and coach, Ithalia Johnson and multi-disciplinary artist Cherelle Sappleton.
The live events will be hosted by broadcaster and entrepreneur Merisha Stevenson, comedian Smash Entertainz and singer and broadcaster Letitia George.
The Melan8 festival at St Mary’s Guildhall is part of the St Mary’s Guildhall Community Engagement Programme which is kindly supported by funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund thanks to National Lottery players. Funding from The National Lottery Heritage Fund sustains ongoing events, activities, and capital investment at St Mary’s Guildhall, enhancing access to the venue and the renowned Coventry Tapestry.
Melan8 follows two successful iterations in 2019 and 2020, called iDENT, which were funded through Coventry City of Culture, with the first event hosted at Warwick Arts Centre hosted the first event in 2019 before moving to an online format.
For more information visit www.weusi.org.uk/melan82025
MELAN8 2025 is a two-day online and in-person festival, celebrating Black artistry, heritage, culture and community, in the heart of Coventry, produced by award-winning, not-for-profit, Arts and Culture Production House, WeUsI. MELAN8 2025 is supported by the community engagement programme at St Mary’s Guildhall, with funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, thanks to National Lottery Players, and using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
MELAN8 | ADDITIONAL NOTES
THE OG | THE ONLINE GATHERING | FREE
9.30AM-1.30PM, SATURDAY 8 MARCH 2025
MELAN8 | FESTIVAL | FROM £5
11AM-7PM, SATURDAY 29 MARCH 2025
MELAN8 | AFTER-PARTY | FROM £5
7.30PM-12MIDNIGHT, SATURDAY 29 MARCH 2025
TICKETS:
THE OG | THE ONLINE GATHERING
REGISTER FREE: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/weusiltd/1602836
MELAN8 | FESTIVAL
MELAN8 | AFTER-PARTY
TICKETS FROM £5: https://www.tickettailor.com/events/weusiltd/1603004
WEUSI WEBSITE:
https://www.weusi.org.uk/
MELAN8, previously called iDENT, is a celebration and exploration of Black heritage, histories and futures, through arts, culture and creativity. The Festival began in August 2019 funded by Coventry City of Culture, taking over Warwick Arts Centre for a day of keynotes, panels, workshops, visual art, film, live music and Caribbean food. The second Festival, also funded by Coventry City of Culture through the Heart of England Community Fund, was held online in December 2020, platformed 21 Black Artists from across a breadth of genres, including opera, poetry, spoken word, visual art, jazz drumming, contemporary dance, song and dramatisations.
MELAN8 Artistic Director Nyasha Daley is an award-winning, multi-disciplinary artist, poet and creative, an activist focused on positive change, and a consultant with more than two decades' corporate experience delivering for national and global brands at senior and C-Suite levels. She is also a Master Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner and executive coach. Nyasha is a Clore Leadership Fellow (2022/23) and West Midlands Combined Authority Cultural Leadership Board Member. WEUSI Team
Dwain Daley is a multi-disciplinary freelance artist, and award-winning filmmaker, DJ and music producer; he is also an experienced sound engineer and videographer, and a Master Neuro-Linguistic Programming Practitioner and executive coach. Dwain is passionate about music, holistic artistic development, mentoring, coaching and knowledge sharing with specific focus on social mobility, seeking to amplify voices, especially for Black men across the Arts, Culture and Creative sectors. WEUSI Team
Daniel Lawrence is a Social Care professional, with artistic practice including poetry, drama and music, with backstage operational experience and expertise at large scale cultural community events and national festivals. Daniel read Media, Cultural Studies and Sociology at Wolverhampton University and recently completed his Event Management Diploma (Level Four). Daniel brings at-scale stage management and artist liaison experience. Daniel is passionate about improving access and agency for Black Arts Professionals, with a focus on artistic development and cultural leadership.
Merisha Stevenson has been holding microphones and keeping audiences engaged for more than 20 years. As a seasoned radio presenter and event host, she thrives on creating spaces where people feel energised, empowered, and, most importantly, entertained. When not on stage or behind the mic, Merisha is busy building businesses, coaching entrepreneurs, and reminding everyone that "Your Mindset is Your Economy”. From investing in property to running a risk management consultancy and launching a hair and beauty salon, she knows a thing or two about making things happen. MELAN8 Host
Smash Entertainz is an entertainer in all realms, but hold most of his strength in the area of crowd engagement and humor. MELAN8 Host
Letitia George is a vibrant and talented artist with a real passion for singing, who rose to the spotlight after featuring on series four of BBC 1’s The Voice. Letitia combines magical performances with broadcasting, with her BBC CWR radio show highlighting emergent Midlands music talent. MELAN8 Host
Professor Kehinde Andrews, (School of Social Sciences – Birmingham City University) is the first Black Studies professor in the UK and led the establishment of the first Black Studies programme in Europe at Birmingham City University.
Casey Bailey is an accomplished poet and playwright, currently touring Please Don’t Touch. Casey was the Birmingham Poet Laureate 2020 – 2022 and the Greater Birmingham Future Face of Arts and Culture 2020.
Corey Campbell is Creative Director at the Belgrade Theatre, the Midlands’ largest producing theatre.
Lula Mebrahtu aka LULA.XYZ is a multidisciplinary artist at the intersection of art, music and tech. A renaissance woman at the intersection of art, music and tech. A writer, actor, musician and glover, with work taking on the form of Afrofuturism. A vanguard of creative expression.
Taiwo Owatemi MP is a British politician and MP for Coventry North West, which she has held since 2019. A Labour Party member, she was also Shadow Minister for Women and Equalities from 2021-2022.
Keith Shayaam is CEO and Chairman of The Legacy Centre of Excellence, Europe's largest Black owned Arts and Business Centre.
Doreen Foster is Director of Warwick Arts Centre, a role she started in September 2018. As Director, she is responsible for the strategic direction of the Arts Centre, the quality, status and relevance of its artistic programme, its reputation and relationships with audiences and stakeholders.
Charlene Carter-James is Culture Central’s Partnerships & Development Manager.
Romanah Buchanan is CEO & Artistic Director of Eloquent Dance and Co-Founder of Eloquent Group. Romanah started her first company at the tender age of 17 doing XYZ. Now she is the Co-Founder of Eloquent Group, a collection of innovative brands that focus on empowering individuals within the arts sector through boldness, creativity and innovation.
Diandra McCall is Creative Producer at Birmingham Opera Company.
Laura Nyahuye is a creative visionary, who was also Lead Designer for the Queen Elizabeth II Baton. Born and raised in Zimbabwe, based in Coventry, UK. A mother, a multi-disciplinary artist, storyteller, designer/maker, writer, poet, curator, performer, changemaker and advocate.
Last Mafuba, Inini Founder and Doctor of Philosophy Doctoral Scholar; currently researching the uptake of mental health services among Black sub-Saharan Africans living in the UK. An artist and activist, dedicated advocate for social justice with a profound commitment to promoting equity and empowering marginalised communities.
G3NNA and TEEDEMBA have worked together to create a project that aims to inspire the next generation. They have brainstormed, recorded, filmed, and performed across the UK. The Fyah Kamp musicians have collaborated on songs including "Locks, Keys & Coasts" and "Lose You".
Phase One Steel Band is Coventry and led by Stephon Phillip. The band has performed at numerous prestigious events, such as Notting Hill Carnival and Caribbean Carnival Extravaganzas in Morecambe, Newcastle and Arundel. As well as taking part in all of the UK carnivals, the band performed before HM the Queen in 1985 and have also performed at such fine venues as Symphony Hall, Fairfield Hall and The Wembley Conference Centre.
Victor Iringere, results-driven chief executive of Together Now (UK charity supporting refugees to reunite with their families), with a strong background in all aspects of leadership, innovation and project/programme management across start-up and NGO functions.
Elizabeth Zeddie Lawal is an award-winning creative producer, theatre maker, facilitator, and host as well as a co-founder of More than a Moment, a creative agency, and innovation lab, with a mission to end civic, cultural and economic inequality in the 21st century.
Marcia M Spence is the founder and CEO of Marcia M Publishing House, an Independent Publisher based in the West Midlands, serving aspiring and experienced writers and authors worldwide. She is a speaker, broadcaster, blogger, a memoirist, published bestselling author and a coach for writers and female leaders.
Jamal Gerald is a critically acclaimed artist and writer based in Leeds. His work is conversational, unapologetic and provocative with a social message. He makes work that he wants to see, intending to take up space as a Black queer person. He is the Artistic Director of Dudaan (du-darn), a Black queer enterprise - set up in November 2021.
Tonia Daley-Campbell is an actress, award-winning writer, published author, director and recent casting director for heart casting. Tonia has been working in the creative industries for more than 25 years. Tonia was nominated for a Black British Theatre award 2022 for her pioneering work in theatre.
Annette Fagon is a seasoned and established Birmingham comedienne.
Laurie O’ Garro was born to Caribbean expats and was raised in High Wycombe by her West Indian village. She is a conscious educator and thinker who has lived in Ealing, West London, since 1993. She describes herself as a 'low-key activist', using her position as a teacher to encourage her students to think deeply about life. Laurie recently returned to being a full-time German teacher and is on a mission to inspire a new generation of linguists. Online session
Ithalia Johnson is an experienced Director with a demonstrated 13-year history of working in the dance, community and arts sector. Skilled in dance styles from the African diaspora, she is also a yoga instructor and Executive Coach specialising in ADHD artistic practitioners. Online session
Kareen Griffiths is a Mindful Change Teacher, Speaker, and Mental Health Advocate with over 15 years’ experience in change management and communications. She’s all about weaving mindfulness into leadership, communities, and workplace wellbeing. Kareen’s work has earned her the Women Who Inspire Award and features in Stylist Magazine, Women’s Health, The Guardian, and Huffington Post. As a Trustee for the Mindfulness Initiative, Kareen champions bringing mindfulness into public policy to support societal wellbeing. She’s also a Mindful DJ, blending music with mindfulness to make wellbeing practices fun, accessible, and inclusive—especially for women and under-represented communities. Kareen’s passion for mindfulness, combined with her professional expertise, helps her create transformative experiences that truly connect with people from all walks of life. Whether it’s through her events, music, or advocacy, she’s on a mission to make mindfulness something everyone can enjoy and benefit from.
Lesley Asare is a Multidisciplinary Artist and a devoted practitioner of the healing arts. Guided by the desire to listen intuitively to the truth that lives within us, Lesley’s practice honours intuitive knowledge, her Ghanaian heritage, the healing power of the creative process, the gift of childlike curiosity and play, and the wisdom that this held within the earth, the breath and the sacred archive of the body. As a Somatic Movement Coach trained in the Tamalpa Life Art Process, and a trauma informed Conscious Breathwork Practitioner, she creates safe and sacred containers for people to courageously come home to themselves, give room to what is alive within, and consciously call more love and understanding into their lives. With a passion for earth tending and community care, Lesley holds ceremonial space for the Global Majority to personally and collectively heal and flourish.
Cherelle Sappleton is an award-winning British-Caribbean interdisciplinary artist working across collage, photography, sound and installation. A trained Sound Therapist with a background in experimental theatre, she uses music, movement and sound to tune into emotional states, a process which directs and informs her creative practice. Online session
WEUSI is a Black-led, not-for-profit, Arts and Culture Production House, Consultancy and Community. Weusi specialises in producing vibrant arts productions including film, theatre, events and festivals that celebrates the breadth and beauty of Black culture for diverse audiences. Weusi consultants also provide professional training and executive coaching tailored for Black Artists and Arts practitioners. Weusi empowers Black Arts and Culture Professionals, providing support and stages for them to share their talent, positively impacting our diverse communities through creative expression, knowledge transfer and leadership development.