Hayati poetry fellows 2026

Aniqah Silvera

Aniqah Silvera is a British-born Black Caribbean Muslim spoken-word artist from Birmingham. Much of her poetry is shaped by her own identity, exploring themes of social and class politics, inequalities, mental health, and culture. Having written and performed poetry for the past 10 years, she is now focused on developing her first poetry collection and examining how poetry, politics, and fashion intertwine.

Eulogee

Eulogee is a spoken word poet and filmmaker born in Amsterdam, Netherlands and raised in Handsworth, Birmingham.

He has performed and headlined across the Midlands and the South of England and was most recently shortlisted for the Roundhouse Poetry Slam (2025).

His journey into writing starts from self-discovery and observation. Beginning to look at his environment under a microscope, trying to understand each and every organism in this petri dish we call home and make something of the chaos. Eulogee’s work is often underpinned by themes of fatherhood, faith, and coming of age.

He also independently runs @paliss.studios producing and directing work for artists, poets, brand and festivals including The Black British Book Festival. Eulogee aims to start facilitating workshops/creative spaces for young people and adults in 2026 alongside directing his first short film “Munazza”.

Past Hayati Fellows

  • Hasan Khan

    2025

    Hasan is a British Kashmiri multidisciplinary creative, Hasan Khan weaves together poetry, politics and lived experience with sharp insight and emotional depth. With roots in political analysis, project management, as well as community development, his work explores identity, power, resistance through both personal and collective lenses. As a writer, journalist and cultural commentator, Hasan bridges the worlds of strategy with storytelling, bringing a grounded, human voice to the stage, the page and beyond.

  • Rayhanah Rowe

    2025

    “I am a storyteller. I tell stories that are tailored for the heart and soul that are told from my heart itself. My poetry is a language for those that can’t find a way to speak their truth. I mold different perspectives into understanding to allow everyone to feel seen. I am on a mission to change the world. How will the world know my name if I’m not the first to scream it?“

  • Zakariye Abdillahi

    2024

    Zakariye is a poet, playwright and filmmaker from Birmingham. His work often explores masculinity, faith and identity. His short poetry film ‘Cages’ has been broadcast on BBC 4 and BBC iPlayer. Zakariye later went on to win the audience vote at the 2023 Roundhouse Poetry Slam final, cementing his place as a voice to watch. He is now a Roundhouse Resident Artist and a member of Birmingham Hippodrome Origins working on a brand new play, also titled ‘Cages’ that dives into the complexities of friendship, youth and navigating the challenges of growing up in the ends.

    Zakariye’s debut poetry pamphlet, Pulling Faces, will be published by Bad Betty Press in November 2025.

  • Mehvish Hayat

    2024


    Mehvish is a West Midlands-based poet and filmmaker, often combining her love for videography and poetry to tell cinematic stories. She recently won a national videography award from Wex for Rainy Nights in the City (2023). Nicknamed ‘The Seamstress’ on stage, Mehvish foreshadows and weave her stories in such a way that she brings her audience full circle. Her work often explores themes of identity including being the child of Pakistani immigrants as well as love and loss

    She first performed at Hayati as an open micer in 2021 and has since gone onto headline and host. Since this first performance, she has performed at various open mic events including but not limited to @kohetryfestival @deen__dunya__ @gullycollective and @verve.poetry.festival. She is currently writing her first poetry book and is in the process of filming her first short film

    As part of her Hayati residency, Mehvish will be developing a short film for her poem, Conversations with the Moon

  • Kyro

    2023

    Kyro is a former radio presenter and spoken word artist who has performed at several events across the UK. She also writes and produces her own spoken word videos and has a passion for voice-over work, editing and graphic design.

    As part of this residency, Kyro intends to use this time to hone her craft and develop her practice as an emerging poet.

  • Asim The Poet

    2022 - 2023

    Asim the Poet is an award-winning spoken word artist, author, host, and content creator from Leicester, UK.

    Known for his dynamic range, he tackles everything from hard-hitting narratives to light-hearted poems and motivational talks. Deeply rooted in traditional Islamic poetry, Asim’s artistic journey began with contemporary devotional pieces, and he continues to share powerful messages of faith, love, and hope.

    His work has been featured across diverse platforms, including film, literature, radio, festivals and stages. Notable appearances include a Kaleidoscope of Stories, BBC Radio, FloVortex, Hayati, Winterspring Mawlid, Somerset House, among others various others.

    Among his many achievements, Asim is a FloPoet- inducted in 2019 by Natalie "The Floacist" Stewart, published his debut book: "Yours Sincerely, Asim", and won the "Best Male Spoken Word Poet" award from the Wordplay and Flow initiative.

    Currently, Asim is working on his second book, performing nationwide, and continues to create unique spoken word poetry content available across social media.

  • Annotate

    2022

    Annotate is a spoken word artist, writer, founder of the company Just Rhyme andone-time host of The Outspoken Podcast. Annotate graduated from London Metropolitan University in 2012, where he earned a BA in Film and Broadcast Production. He also has an extensive background in education. Since graduating, Annotate has written, produced and directed a number of shortfilms designed to bridge the gap between film and poetry, with his most notablework to date being ‘Street Tales’ and 2019’s ‘Confessions’.

    Annotate has performed in front of audiences in London, Luton, Birmingham and Newcastle. Notable performance venues include the Tate Modern, The Electrograph, Kings Place, Barclays Bank, and the Royal Regency.

    In 2019, he was named a FLO poet by established singer-songwriter, rapper, and poet, 'The Floacist’ Natalie Stewart. Annotate has appeared on Islam Channel's 'Living the Life', featured on Eman Channel's 'Thursday Night Live', and performed on BBC Radio London’s ‘The Scene’ with Amelia Poamz, as well as the I'N'I show on Soho Radio. He also featured heavily in BBC Radio 4’s 2020 broadcast of ‘Poets in the Pulpit’ hosted by Suhaiymah Manzoor-Khan, and appeared on Channel 4’s‘ Confession Couch’ in 2021 to discuss the importance of positive mental health.

  • Sami Rhymes

    2022

    Sami Rhymes is a Spoken Word Artist, Poet & Published Author from London, UK who also works in project management.

    Summer 2019 saw Sami perform for the first time after a hiatus however she started her writing journey young and had her first poem published at the age of 9. She has performed and headlined in London, nationally and abroad. She’s featured on BBC Radio London and Mode FM also appeared on BAFTA winning Sky Arts TV show Life & Rhymes (S1:E3). She has also partaken in and won some reputable local and international poetry slams.

    She loves to rhyme and writes about various topics in her journey of life, often addressing taboo topics. Her poetry is powerful, raw and vulnerable. Through rhyme she releases pains, educates, entertains and inspires others to speak up and take action.

    She released her debut poetry collection 20 Something in 2020 and has contributed poems to other publications since including 2021 release It Will Be:The Black Experience and the Words By anthology. 2021 saw Sami release her debut single Random Rambles (A-Z) and is currently working on getting her debut EP "Triple Threat" out on all platforms on  22.2.22.

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