It’s the most wonderful time of the year, and this year the eggnog has a twist. Ten years ago, our host and director Malaika Kegode moved to Bristol and founded Milk Poetry. In all that time she’s never done a headline set at Milk Poetry, so this year that changes as she’ll take us on a whistle stop tour of the past ten years of her poetry life
Malaika Kegode
Malaika Kegode is an award-winning writer, performer, theatre-maker, creative producer and Associate Director for Theatre Royal Plymouth. Her work is focused on uplifting and celebrating the overlooked and misunderstood. Beginning her arts career as a performance poet in 2014, Malaika has since developed her practice to encompass theatre, radio, TV and film writing.
Malaika’s work has been featured on a variety of stages and platforms, including Lyric Hammersmith, BBC Radio 4 and Random Acts. She has performed around the UK at a number of celebrated venues, festivals and literary events, including The 100 Club, WOMAD and Hay Festival. She has worked with a wide-range of organisations as a writer, teacher and performer.
She is a vocal advocate for creativity as a tool for healing and connection, and has dedicated much of her career to supporting the creativity and development of underrepresented voices through teaching workshops, mentoring individuals and producing accessible events. She is a Trustee for Bristol-based mental health charity Many Minds.
With support from the brilliant Bradley Taylor
Bradley Taylor is a poet born and based in Birmingham. This year he won the Roundhouse Poetry Slam 2024, the night of which was the most attended poetry slam in history. As well as this, Bradley hosts Overcoat Poetry; a night based in Kings Heath that spotlights local and emerging talent. He has performed at the Hay Festival, Verve Poetry Festival, The Inspirational Youth Awards and has appeared on BBC news showcasing his work. Bradley has been the Poet in Residence for Green Heart Books and in 2025 will release his debut collection with Verve Poetry Press, as well as perform his debut theatre piece ‘Kid’; a one man spoken word show. He writes for, and about, people.
And of course, it wouldn’t be Milk Poetry without ou rclassic slam. Come along and join us on stage!
