Kenny Baraka
Associate Artist
Photo by Leticia Valverdes
For over ten years, my work has focused on developing the interests and skills of young people in pursuit of careers in the creative writing – poetry to playwriting – and music industry – songwriting, arranging, recording and performance.
This work has involved extensive experience in the facilitation, production and performance of youth arts projects and events. Organisations I have worked with include Apples & Snakes, The British Library, The Royal Shakespeare Company, Synergy, Art Against Knives, Finding Rhythms, The Irene Taylor Trust, The Jimmy Asher Foundation, Essex Music Service and The Princes Trust.
While studying for my MA in Community Organising, I started my career as an English Literature teacher in a NYC public high school in New York City. At the same time, I pursued my passion for writing and recording my own music. For five years, I spent my summers touring Europe and the UK, supporting acts such as Rodney P, Del la Soul and Burning Spear.
On moving to London in 2005, “I knew I wanted to continue a career that combined my passions for music and literature, while helping other young people attain the same opportunities I’d been given.”
You can find out more about Kenny – his vision, mission and works – on his website: