About the Project
Speak the Future is an integrated arts-based and STEM programme designed to generate discussion and creativity around young people's ideas and aspirations for themselves and the region.
The project will create a space for young people to meet career role models, reflect on their own priorities and motivations, and to share and value each others skills. It aims to empower participants to recognise ways they can take action on issues that matter to them.
The outcome of the project will take the form of a spoken-word showcase co-created between participants and artist Kemi Gates, in order to emphasise the value of self-expression and to communicate young people's stories and conversations to a wider audience. This poem will be added to The Common Room's archive collection, in order to continue adding new voices to the preserved history of our region.
Meet the Artist
Kemi Gates is a spoken-word artist based in Newcastle-Upon-Tyne. She started spoken word nine years ago. Since then she has published a spoken word album “The Things We Do For Love”, found on all streaming platforms. She is a multifaceted individual, apart from being a spoken word artist, Kemi Gates is an ACCA Chartered Accountant, Fashion Designer, Compere and voice artist.
Kemi had her debut headline show in February 2022 with over 200 people in attendance. One of her most memorable performances was at the BLM 2020 protest in Newcastle with thousands of people in attendance. Her speech went viral with over 90k views online, and she is just getting started.