Theresa Lola is a British Nigerian poet and writer and was appointed the Young People’s Laureate for London in the year 2019-20. In 2018 she was awarded the Brunel International African Poetry Prize. She holds an Mst in Creative Writing from University of Oxford. In 2022 the poem ‘Equilibrium’ from her debut poetry collection, In Search of Equilibrium, was added to OCR’s GCSE English Literature syllabus. 

Caleb Azumah Nelson is a British-Ghanaian writer, photographer and filmmaker. His debut novel Open Water won the Costa First Novel Award 2021. Caleb's second novel, Small Worlds, was praised for being “unmatched in its musicality and sensitivity” and won the 2024 Dylan Thomas Prize. Both Open Water and Small Worlds have been optioned for screen, with Caleb adapting. He is also working on an original series, Endless, with Element Pictures and an original feature, The Last Stop, with Heyday and Film4.  

Deanna Wilhelm is a trailblazing Black female trumpet player from London, celebrated for her dynamic performances and her role in advancing the presence of women in brass music. She founded London’s first all-female brass band, creating a platform for female musicians in the brass scene. Deanna has played with renowned artists such as Eve and Alicia Keys, contributing her talents to major projects like Netflix’s Bridgerton and The Crown. She has also toured internationally with The Go! Team, showcasing her versatility and passion for live music around the world. 

KK Brown is a versatile percussionist, vocalist and multi instrumentalist. She draws from her Caribbean heritage, blended with deep musical roots from Brazil and West Africa with a background of Gospel and Neo Soul. Her achievements span acclaimed performances at renowned music festivals like Shambala, Boomtown, Medicine Festival, Great Escape, Love Jam and All Points East as well as venues and events like the Jazz Cafe, Boiler Room, the Grand Prix, Greenwich Maritime Institute, Somerset House, Southbank, and RichMix. 

Faye Thompson is a saxophonist and bass clarinettist living in London. She is known for the distinctive but versatile voice she has on her instruments, borne from electronically processing much of her playing. Faye's unique approach has led her to perform internationally with artists across a range of genres, including with Grammy-nominated poet Aja Monet, folk-pop singer-songwriter Cassandra Jenkins, UK jazz quintet Neue Grafik Ensemble, and all-female brass trailblazers She's Got Brass. She also performs solo, creating live experimental ambient music as Efti's Project.