Saida Chowdhury (pictured) was invited to read poems from her debut collection "Broken Minds" recently on Black Country Radio. Other guests in the studio included Community & Wellbeing Chamption Tal Singh and former Mayoress of Wolverhampton Sureena Brackenridge who is now Member of Parliament for Wolverhampton North East.
"Saida Chowdhury may be a new voice in the poetry scene" said Sureena Brackenridge MP "but she has been quietly crafting her work for over 20 years. Only recently has she found the courage to share her deeply personal and evocative poetry with the world. Her writing, spanning themes of racial discrimantion in the post 9/11 era, love, grief, loss and mental health, is both raw and profound.
This collection is a testament to her resilience - a journey from brokeness to healing, and ultimately, to empowerment. Saida`s work is not just about personal catharsis: it is a beacon for others navigating their own struggles. She is deeply committed to the idea of women empowering women and is using her voice to break down barriers, particularly around the stigma of mental health within the Asiahn community. I wholeheartedly applaud Saida for her bravery in addressing these issues and for using her poetry as a tool for change. This book is an important and necessary read - one that will resonate, inspire and encourage healing."
Sureena Brackenridge MP was agreeable to writing the foreword to Saida`s book and publicly supporting Saida in her campaign to remove the stigma behind mental health. Dr Kuli Kohli, Poet Laureate for the City of Wolverhampton 2022 - 2025 is also supporting Saida Chowdhury and her debut poetry collection "Broken Minds".
Writing as the review:
""Broken Minds" is a collection of poems that offers a poignant exploration of the frustration, anxiety, depression, pain, and irritation arising from the thought processes of young minds in everyday life, reinforcing the reality of mental illness. Personally, I found a deep connection with some of the poems, which resonated with my own early writings where I used to pour my feelings onto paper as a therapeutic exercise—expressing thoughts I believed no one would care about. Saida emphasises this theme throughout her collection.
The book is divided into four parts: Depression & Futility, Love & Strength, Loathing & Consequence and Searching & Hopeful. This structure is not only a reflection of the diverse experiences that constitute our mental and emotional landscapes but also serves to highlight the ebb and flow of life. Even at the lowest points, there are moments—a stranger's smile, an embrace—that can briefly alleviate the pain and remind us of our worth, especially when we struggle to see it ourselves. Saida’s words are a tribute to the lives of countless individuals navigating these peaks and trenches.
Broken Minds is a good read that sheds light on the complexities of mental health and the resilience of the human spirit. Saida Chowdhury’s collection is not just a book of poems but a journey through the struggles and triumphs that define our existence."
Reviewed by Dr Kuli Kohli Honorary Doctor of Letters Poet Laureate for the City of Wolverhampton 2022-25
Creative Associate for Wolverhampton - Rebecca Swift Foundation 2025-26 www.kulikohli.co.uk
"I am very grateful to Dr Kuli Kohli for her kind words" said Saida Chowdhury. "I had the honour of attending one of her poetry workshops in Wolverhampton Art Gallery during the Wolverhampton Literature Festival. It was fantastic! The workshop was inspirational and Kuli is a lovely human being. I bought her full poetry collection, "A Wonder Woman" published by Offa`s Press. It`s a great read, full of love and surporses. Thank you Kuli!"
