On 4th May a former Walsall Poet Laureate is launching a poetry fundraiser to support communities affected by racism. Ian Henery, a solicitor, is using poems from his latest book, Poems of Hope (published by Kates Hill Press) to take to social media to fundraise for CARE - Communities Against Racism Enterprise. The charity was founded to heal individuals suffering from racial trauma.
In February 2021 Ian launched Poems of Hope at the 5th Wolverhampton Literature Festival with Kates Hill Press to raise donations for the Teenage Cancer Trust. The event was filmed in the Wolverhampton Art Gallery by Streams Theatre and streamed during the Festival.
"Poetry is a wonderful way to soothe and heal a mind", explained Ruthlyn South, founder of CARE, "filled with pain and hurt. Ian is using his exceptional eclectic poems to do just that and I am honoured that he has chosen to raise awareness of CARE in such a unique way".
On 4th May alongside Ian there will be guest artists, Maurice Malcolm, a criminal justice lawyer and founder of Poetry in Motion, music recording artist Joe Lynton, a retired psychotherapist and other supporting acts. On the night the community will have an opportunity to be involved in creating a fabulous community poem.
This is a free event and Ian`s book can be purchased on the evening at https://kateshillpress.com or www.ianhenerypoet.com and donations to CARE are welcome. Communities Against Racism Enterprise - CARE - is a non-profit organisation, founded in June 2020, with a group of over 20 professionals volunteering, helping individuals of all ethnicities, regardless of skin colour, to get healing from racial trauma and abuse.
CARE`s other projects include Policing in the Community and the BAME to BEAM campaign. Ian Henery and Maurice Malcolm are members of Poets Against Racism, a poetry collective, who have performed around the UK including the Wolverhampton Literature Festival twice and the Nottingham Poetry Festival.
The event on 4th May will be on Zoom at 7pm and further information can be obtained from Ruthlyn South on 07843228004 or by email at info@communities-against-racism.com.
