The concept of ‘bruddahood’ transformed by our poet in residence

The concept of ‘bruddahood’ has been reimagined and transformed by poet, multidisciplinary artist and Remembering What’s Forgotten’s poet in residence Omari Swanston – Jeffers.

Swanston – Jeffers was selected for the eight week residency and bursary and has crafted an audiovisual poetic response, centring the Black male experience of ‘bruddahood’ as a tool for all men of colour to navigate mental health challenges.

His original work is steeped in collaboration, featuring music composed by Azizi Cole, a photographic gallery of Omari and his ‘bruddas’ (Deneil Hamilton-Dennis, Kadele Grant and Kevin Chenge) by Solomon Charles-Kelly, sitting alongside a beautiful self-produced ‘collection’ charting the literary journey to his final poem ‘a parable of the moth & the butterfly: the pirate and the prince’.

Omari said about his commission: “bruddahood is the act of bruddas coming together in order to support, uplift and hold each other to account in joy, and growth. My ‘bruddahood’ is an audiovisual collection of writings, motifs and poems which speak on my perceived place in this world contrasted against me defining who I am for me, while being in a place of transformation.”

The residency was co-produced with poet, theatremaker and literary activist Khadijah Ibrahiim with New Writing North and Manchester Poetry Library as project allies.

Will Mackie Senior Programme Manager (Talent Development), New Writing North, said: “The Remembering What’s Forgotten lived experience poet in residence is a vital project delivered by an exceptionally talented and engaging poet. Omari has approached the residency with commitment to its values and a dedication to authentically representing the experiences of Black men facing mental health inequality. Omari’s art is absorbing and original.”

Becky Swain, Director, Manchester Poetry Library, added: “Omari stunning bruddahood, produced as part of his Remembering What’s Forgotten residency, is searingly gentle and a joy to read. Omari leads us through complex layers of love, family and friendship, all leading to the final beautiful poem, a parable of the moth & the butterfly: the pirate and the prince. Residencies like Remembering What’s Forgotten can provide artists with tailored support that can lead to transformation and growth at a crucial point in their professional lives.”

You can listen to and read Swanston -Jeffers resideny commission bruddahood here.

Photo credit: Solomon Charles-Kelly