Coventry Poet Laureate and Coventry Young Poet Laureate
The Coventry Poet Laureate and Coventry Young Poet Laureate are honorary posts, first appointed by Coventry Libraries and Information Service and Coventry UK City of Culture in 2021.
Coventry Libraries and Information Service, Coventry City Council are pleased to announce two new Poets Laureate on National Poetry Day 2 October 2025 for the 2-year period 2025 to 2027. The Coventry Poets Laureate selection process was supported by Writing West Midlands, Nine Arches Press and Coventry Libraries.
Cllr Dr Kindy Sandhu, Cabinet Member for Education and Skills, said:
“The importance of poetry, performance and reading for pleasure is invaluable for our emotional enrichment, literacy, learning and future attainment. I’d like to congratulate Andrea and Diamond for their achievement in becoming Poets Laureate for Coventry for the next two years and in representing our city nationally through verse.”
During the celebration event on Tuesday 4 November 2025, Coventry’s new Poets Laureate were joined by the Coventry Poets Laureate 2023-2025, John Bernard and Aamani Kanda.
Coventry Poet Laureate 2025 - 2027: Andrea Mbarushimana
Andrea's poetry journey start early with a love of children's verse. Her first collection 'The Africa in my House' was published in 2017, followed by the competition winning 'Airshow' in 2019 and Fatbergs in 2021. Her latest collection 'Chatbot' was published this year by Hedgehog Press. Andrea has performed poems in the UK and Ireland and via a poetry vending machine in Dresden. A BBC Contains Strong Language and Cov/Cork exchange poet, Andrea writes all kinds of verse from silly to serious and straightforward to downright impenetrable. She loves working on community projects with a social justice theme. Visit her website [https://www.andrea-mbarushimana.com]
Coventry Young Poet Laureate 2025 - 2027 Diamond Kayode-Osunlana
Diamond is a 16 year-old writer whose work provokes deep thought, and bursts with rhythm. Hailing from Coventry, Diamond blends spoken word poetry and page poetry to explore community, society, and identity, on a personal level, and on a wider scale. Diamond’s verses weave social consciousness with lyrical grace, inspired by the modern world, and derived from quieter perspectives. When she’s not writing poems, Diamond facilitates young writing workshops, and dreams of her own novel one day. She hopes to make a difference, and to evoke a response in people through her writing.
Previous Poets Laureate
- Coventry Poet Laureate 2023 to 2025 – John Bernard
- Coventry Young Poet Laureate 2023 to 2025 – Aamani Kanda
- Coventry Poet Laureate 2021to 2023 - Emilie Lauren Jones
- Coventry Young Poet Laureate 2021 to 2023 - Hawwa Hussain
The Coventry Poet Laureate and Coventry Young Poet Laureate are honorary positions which will involve during their tenure, writing poems to commemorate significant moments, giving performances of their work and encouraging an interest in poetry across the city.
How do I apply to be Coventry Poet Laureate or Coventry Young Poet Laureate?
Applications are now closed for Coventry Poet Laureate and Coventry Young Poet Laureate 2025 to 2027.
How often are the Coventry Poet Laureate and Coventry Young Poet Laureate appointed?
Both positions are now appointed every 2 years.
Further information
Current Coventry Poets Laureate 2025 to 2027
The Coventry Poet Laureate and Coventry Young Poet Laureate are honorary posts appointed by Coventry Libraries and Information Service and Coventry City Council in 2025. The posts will run until 2 October 2027 at which date 2 new Poets Laureate will be appointed. Both positions are appointed every 2 years.
- Coventry Poet Laureate - 18 years and older on 31 August on year of appointment
- Coventry Young Poet Laureate - 13 years or older and under 18 years old on 31 August on year of appointment
The winners were announced on Thursday 2 October 2025, and are:
- Coventry Poet Laureate – Andrea Mbarushimana
- Coventry Young Poet Laureate – Diamond Kayode-Osunlana
Previous Coventry Poets Laureate
As part of the BBC Contains Strong Language Festival Coventry 2021, Coventry Libraries and Information Service and Coventry UK City of Culture 2021 initiated these 2 exciting roles:
- Coventry Poet Laureate - 18 years and older on 31 August 2021
- Coventry Young Poet Laureate - 13 years or older and under 18 years old on 31 August 2021
Previous winners are:
- Coventry Poet Laureate 2023 to 2025 – John Bernard
- Coventry Young Poet Laureate 2023 to 2025 – Aamani Kanda
- Coventry Poet Laureate 2021 to 2023 - Emilie Lauren Jones
- Coventry Young Poet Laureate 2021 to 2023 - Hawwa Hussain
John Bernard
John Bernard, known as the city's voice for the youth, is recognised for his authentic, raw, and impactful work. He has graced the stages at renowned UK events and venues, such as Shambala Festival, Formula 1 Silverstone, BBC Radio 1 Big Weekend, Symphony Hall alongside the BBC Symphony Orchestra, and many others. John's artistry has gained prominence on both local and national platforms, including BBC Radio 3's "The Verb," BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC 1Xtra, BBC Bitesize, BBC CWR, and BBC Introducing. Committed to promoting a passion for words, John collaborates with schools, youth organisations, universities, and community groups to inspire and empower young minds through his art.
Enjoy some of John's poems [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/libraries-1/tulia-poem-john-bernard]
Aamani Kanda
Aamani Kanda is currently 17 years old and studying at Foxford Community School. Some of her hobbies include creating art, cooking, going to the gym and writing in her spare time. At school she studies art, literature and psychology, and aspires to progress in her education to study law at University.
Read some of Aamani's poems [http://www.coventry.gov.uk/libraries-1/refuge-aamari-kanda]
Find out more about what inspired previous winning poets on BBC CWR [https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p09wvf8f]
Emilie Lauren Jones
In 2021, the year Coventry became UK City of Culture, Emilie Lauren Jones became Coventry's first ever Poet Laureate. She has previously performed alongside poets such as Simon Armitage, Liz Berry and Roy McFarlane. Her poetry has been featured on local and national radio including on BBC Radio 4, BBC 5Live and BBC 6 Music. Emilie runs regular writing workshops for adults and young people, she also enjoys visiting schools and community groups to share her love of words. Read some of Emilie's poetry [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7050/poems-by-emilie-lauren-jones]
Hawwa Hussain
Hawwa is a Year 11 pupil at Eden Girls’ School Coventry. She is 15 years old, and has 2 sisters, one is about to turn 17, and one just turned 20. She loves watercolours, drawing, baking, studying, and of course, writing poetry! She also loves reading, and is a librarian in her school library. She is also a Head of House in her school. Some of her favourite books include Harry Potter, Percy Jackson, and the Summoner series. Some of Hawwa’s favourite subjects in school include Biology, Maths, English and History. One of Hawwa’s ambitions is to become a teacher. Read some of Hawwa's poetry [https://www.coventry.gov.uk/downloads/download/7047/poems-by-hawwa-hussain]