Derby to host major Black Arts Showcase in celebration of Black History Month

16 October 2026Derby Theatre

Credit: FU Media

Ten artists from across the Midlands will take to the stage at Derby Theatre on Friday 16th October at 7.30pm, when 2Funky Arts’ And Still I Rise arrives in the city as part of its four-date Black History Month tour.

Featuring dance, spoken word, poetry, rap and song, the production will showcase original work created by midlands’ artists from Black, African and Caribbean backgrounds, exploring the experiences, conversations and issues shaping Black life today.

2Funky Art’s Director Vijay Mistry commented: “This project represents a unique platform for up-and-coming artists to explore issues around Black history and culture. We are really excited to celebrate their talent in another Midlands tour, which promises to be both thought-provoking and impactful.”

The full And Still I Rise line-up includes:

Ryan Dre Sinclair (Birmingham) is a spoken word poet, theatre-maker and founder of Empower Poetry, with over a decade’s worth of experience across schools, theatres and cultural institutions. Ryan creates work that explores masculinity, identity, vulnerability and reflection – often blending humour with depth. Credits include The Southbank Centre, The National Literacy Trust, BBC Words First and Heart of England Community Foundation.
Born and raised in Bermuda, Rikkai Scott (Coventry) is a performer, choreographer and Artistic Director of Rhythmflow Dance. He is a graduate of London Contemporary Dance School. Blending hip hop, contemporary and tap, Rikkai creates rhythm-driven work that explores identity, human connection and everyday experiences. His choreography combines physicality, musicality and storytelling, to create performances that are honest, engaging and accessible. Through Rhythmflow Dance, he is committed to developing work that connects with diverse audiences and celebrates the power of movement.
NEONE (Wolverhampton) is a musical alchemist, mixing genres to create unique, signature sounds. His music is an eclectic Jazz-grime fusion, taking inspirationfrom Neo-soul. Neone intertwines captivating stories between his instrumental environment and lyrical journey through myth, wonder and life experience. Through metaphor, he shares his vulnerability, giving listeners an artistic, uplifting approach to confronting their inner demons and developing strength and self-love. Raised in Wolverhampton, Neone has been motivated by music & art from a young age. From rapping, producing and keyboards, he is a highly versatile performer.
Maia Sudha (Nottingham) is a pop and soul vocalist whose music blends powerful vocal performance with deeply personal storytelling. Drawing inspiration from soul, pop and R&B, she creates songs that combine honest lyricism and vocal expression. As an emerging artist in the Nottingham scene, she is currently preparing for the release of her debut single, marking the beginning of an exciting chapter in her artistic journey.
Jonathan Akinsete (Leicester) is an independent artist – passionate about rap, spoken word, and singing. He aims to connect, inspire, and move people through his music, creating meaningful experiences that reflect his faith, values, experiences, and journey. Jonathan’s artistic influences include Stormzy, Lecrae, and Andy Mineo, whose works have shaped his musical perspective from a young age, alongside more recent influences such as Jon Keith, Dave, and Hulvey. Above all, Jonathan recognises the source of his creativity as his faith, as an inspiring, guiding force.
Tamika Steadman, (Birmingham) known artistically as I Put the T in Poetry, is a Midlands-based poet, actress, mentor and host. Through powerful spoken-word poetry, she transforms lived experience into performances that invite healing, connection, and social change. She has performed across the UK, including at the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Her work has been featured on BBC Introducing and the BBC online series No Offence, But. She has headlined events across the Midlands, performed for NHS Black History Month, and released her debut spoken-word EP, I’ll Be Alright.
Holly Francis (Birmingham) is a Birmingham-based choreographer, De Montfort University alumni, dance artist and multidisciplinary visual artist. Her choreographic practice explores work that unpacks identity and cultural heritage, investigating layered human experiences in historical and contemporary contexts. She has trained mainly in contemporary dance, some traditional Caribbean folk and some West African dance forms, as well as hip hop and Bollywood dance. Holly has worked, trained and danced with Candoco and Serendipity: Institute for Black arts & Heritage, among many other organisations.
Drippo Joel (Leicester) is the UK’s answer to a sound you thought you’d lost — the warmth and swagger of noughties R&B, rebuilt for right now. Drawing from the DNA of some of Black music’s most renowned, celebrated and dynamic artists, he channels the golden era of pop and soul through a modern lens.
Originally from Florida, Alexis Florentina (Nottingham) is a Black and Filipino poet, playwright and fiction writer. She now resides in Nottingham and is a proud member of GOBS and the Nottingham Black Creatives Network. Alexis has recently completed a diploma in creative writing at Oxford University. Her poems were shortlisted for the 2025 Heidelberg Author Award and published with Nottingham Writers Studio. She has had a flash fiction piece published online with Mslexia.In addition to this, Alexis has performed poetry for the 2026 Nottingham Poetry Festival, and in 2025 at the Hockley Hustle, Dot to Dot Festival and Nottingham Playhouse.
Anthony Sempebwa (Derby) is a high-level dance artist with over 10 years of performance experience, specialising in hip-hop while drawing from house, krump and Afro dance styles. His practice blends choreography with freestyle, creating performances that are both technically refined and expressive. He uses movement as a tool for storytelling, exploring themes of identity and culture through both structured and improvised performance. His work is rooted in authenticity, musicality and emotional presence. He is passionate about pushing the boundaries of different dance forms while honouring their cultural foundations.

All shows start at 7:30pm with full tour dates and ticketing details outlined below: