Shaniqua Benjamin Email & Phone Number

I am a Poet, Professional Coach (Level 5 EMCC accredited), Mentor, Facilitator and Consultant who wants to empower individuals, especially young people and creatives.With eight years experience of running a platform, community and youth engagement, project management, leading workshops, facilitating discussions and mentoring individuals, my focus is on supporting and challenging individuals to realise their potential and make change in the world. I write, perform and read poetry on a variety of subjects, including social issues, race, American sports, mental health and my home of Croydon. I have been published by Ink, Sweat & Tears and Magma, as well as RRB Photobooks with my poetic text in Ameena Rojee's photography book Crocus Valley. From October 2020 to July 2024, I held the role of Croydon's first Poet Laureate, which included collaborating with individuals and organisations, as well as engaging with the local community through projects, workshops and poetry readings or performances.I used my creativity, empathy and passion to make a difference by founding Young People Insight CIC (YPI) from 2016-2021. YPI's aim was to empower young people through creativity, conversation and writing. In 2022, I was awarded the Investing in Equality scholarship by Leigh-Anne and Sairah Pinnock from The Black Fund, which gave me the opportunity to attend the One Young World summit in Manchester and share a poem I wrote specially called 'We' about empowering black women and girls. This led to me writing a poem for Leigh-Anne's first headline show in 2024.In 2024, I officially qualified as a Level 5 Coach, deepening my passion for people and vision of empowering people to be the best they can be, which is all I have ever wanted to do since starting Young People Insight back in 2016.

Listed skills include Blogging, Social Media, Public Speaking, Journalism, and 28 others.