Malika's Manifesto

Malika’s Manifesto is a collection by Peterborough Poet Laureate Malika Speaks, commissioned by Jumped Up as part of the Fierce Talent project. These five creative pieces map Malika’s creative journey and will resonate with anyone stepping onto the artist’s path - of any art form, whether it’s a full time career or a passion bursting though the seams of everyday life.

There is no set career path for an artist, no graduate programme or assured ladder of success. You can start as a child, or as an elder. You can jump across art forms, mix up practises, create just for yourself or to show others. But there will be times where you seek inspiration or courage, or confirmation that what you are doing is ok, that it is worth it.

Malika has reflected on the touchstones in the first decade of her career. She has identified Resilience, Courage, Support Systems, Independence and Finding Yourself as her essentials to can help her find her voice, order her thoughts and take action about what is important to her. Each creative piece is part of her practice - creative writing, research, journalling.

There are also resources linked throughout various pages, look out for these as you explore Malika’s work. Let us know what you think by creating your own manifestos, as drawings, vlogs, poems or songs, any format. Send your thoughts and your creative manifestos via email HERE or tag us @JumpedUpTheatre.

We hope Malika’s Manifesto, and the sharing of any work that it inspires, will support and inform Peterborough’s creative community. If these creative pieces resonate with you, in your everyday life or when creativity calls you, let us know.

You can watch and listen to Malika’s other work on her YouTube channel, or follow her on social media @MalikaSpeaks on both Twitter and Instagram.