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Poetic Unity unveils ten-year plan to tackle racial injustice through poetry and social action
After a decade supporting more than 60,000 programme attendances across communities, schools and prisons, Brixton-based charity Poetic Unity has unveiled an ambitious strategy to become one of the UK’s leading organisations tackling racial injustice through poetry, creativity and social action.
Founded in 2015, the Black-led charity has helped thousands of young people find confidence, community and opportunity through spoken word.
Its new ten-year vision maintains a strong emphasis on programme delivery, while setting out ambitious goals to influence education, improve mental health support and create pathways into employment.
The strategy commits Poetic Unity to expanding its national reach while remaining rooted in Brixton, increasing support for young people, growing employment opportunities for Black creatives and influencing policy through evidence, partnerships and community leadership.
Launching after its tenth anniversary year, the organisation believes the next decade must be defined not by celebrating what has been achieved, but by accelerating change.
Founder and CEO Ryan Matthews-Robinson said, “For ten years we’ve seen what happens when young people are given spaces where they are genuinely seen, heard and valued.
This strategy isn’t simply about growing our charity. It’s about changing the systems that continue to deny too many young Black people opportunities to thrive.
Poetry isn’t just creative expression. It is healing. It is leadership. It is social change.”
Key policy areas Poetic Unity plan to address:
- Mental Health: Black adults are 4x more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act
- Education: Only 0.7% of mandatory GCSE English literature is written by a Black or Global Majority author. The campaign to change this to 10% is a policy hook
- Youth employment: 27% of Black 16-24 year olds are unemployed vs 10% of White peers.
About the organisation
Poetic Unity is a Black-led charity committed to addressing systemic racism and its impacts on children and young people by using poetry and social action as tools for joy, connection, and empowerment.
Since being founded in Brixton in 2015, it has engaged over 60,000 programme attendances in safe, creative spaces for young people aged 10-30, providing inclusive mental health support, transformative education and accessible employment.
Its spaces, while open to all, place a dedicated focus on supporting young people of Black and mixed Black heritage, ensuring they are seen, heard, and celebrated.
