CJ Simon
Writer and AcademicCJ Simon is a writer and academic whose dynamic work finds a way to balance both the scholastic and poetic. As a playwright, spoken-word artist, essayist, videographer, and podcaster, CJ's work endeavours to use multidisciplinary approaches in creating politically engaging and challenging work. His writing has been performed across the UK from the Southwark Playhouse in London to the Birmingham Hippodrome and beyond, with work currently being developed at Sheffield Theatres' and Theatre Deli. CJ is taking his next steps as a freelance writer and creative with his new theatre company Fire and Folie Theatre pushing to produce research-led and impact-driven art, making this work with Dig Where You Stand well-timed and incredibly exciting.
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Otis Mensah
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Otis Mensah (recipient of Jerwood Arts Live Work Fund & Arts Council England's Developing your Creative Practice) is a musician and multidisciplinary artist exploring the intersection of poetry and experimental music(s). Taking influence from the rhythmic and expressive freedom of Jazz, Otis’ work uses aesthetic language as an instrument to solo through themes of race, identity, gender and the body. Since being appointed Sheffield’s first Poet Laureate in 2018, Otis has sold-out their debut poetry collection Safe Metamorphosis published with Prototype in 2020, debuted at Glastonbury, & We Out Here Festival, as well as performing with the likes of Moor Mother, Nightmares On Wax, Benjamin Zephaniah and Little Simz.
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Asma Kabadeh
Asma Kabadeh is a creative producer and programmer with an extensive background in collaborative arts initiatives. Working across arts, community development and research her work is primarily centred on facilitating diverse creative voices in multimedia forms with a strong focus on uncovering untold stories. Asma has produced 10 short films with local filmmakers, screened by Sheffield DocFest Exchange, and Migration Matters festival.
Wemmy Ogunyankin
I am a visual anthropologist/ethnographer who specialises in photography, documentary and poetry. My work concerns a deep exploration of the lived experiences of minoritised and underrepresented groups. As a Black woman, I look to challenge the co-opting of storytelling, to uncover hidden stories, do grassroots work with local communities, decolonise the lens, and in turn contribute to intersectional feminist creative practice.
