Benjamin Zephaniah will be remembered at the Birmingham Podcast Festival

Festival director Nina Robinson said the first thing she wanted to do was honor the poet at this year’s event.

“Benjamin Zephaniah has always been inspirational and embodies so much of what is great about Birmingham and the talented people who live here,” she said.

Born in Handsworth, Birmingham, the 65-year-old ‘literary titan’ has written five children’s novels and poems and has been credited for his poetry dub work.

He was also an actor, appearing in the BBC drama series Peaky Blinders between 2013 and 2022.

“He has given the world so much in his poetry and his unique perspective on life that borrows so much from his Jamaican heritage,” Ms Robinson added.

“It has a special place in the hearts of the people whose lives it touched.”

The festival will also host Hamza Syed, host of The Trojan Horse Affair podcast, as well as workshops sharing podcasting skills and knowledge.

The event is also supported by BBC Sounds Audio Labs through a podcast competition.