The unveiling of Benjamin Zephaniah’s Memorial Plaque and the film from his 1st memorial event took place at Stratford Library in Newham, East London, on 21 March 2026 as part of World Poetry Day.
The event included the screening of a short film produced by Flexible Films on behalf of the family, with talks about Benjamin and why his film is being placed in Newham.
The plaque includes a brief statement about his involvement in Newham as well as a QR code of the film. This will mean that people in the library can find out more about him and his work in a space meaningful to him. The event also launched a community film poetry project called ‘Finding My Inner Peace’. The projects aim is to inspire others to explore poetry as a medium and think about inner peace.
Sybil Ah-Mane, event host and filmmaker, said;
“Benjamin had a quest to find inner peace. To continue his legacy, we are creating a series of ‘Finding My Inner Peace’ community film poems. It’s great he is being valued as a poet and an important community leader. Newham was where he first performed and was published so we are delighted he is being remembered in a space meaningful to him.”
Just a week before, Benjamin’s home town of Birmingham honoured the life and legacy of the trailblazing poet during a ceremony at Birmingham City University’s Benjamin Zephaniah Building, where his City of Birmingham Medal was formally presented.
The award was accepted posthumously on his behalf by his brother Tippa Naphtali and his widow, Qian Zephaniah on 11 March 2026. Benjamin is the inaugural recipient of the medal, which has been designed by students at BCU’s renowned School of Jewellery.
