Aflo. The Poet: A lyrical take on Black History Month
Brighton doesn’t need an excuse to gather around good words – but some months call for something deeper. As Black History Month arrives, the city’s cultural calendar leans into voices that challenge, uplift and reshape the conversation. At the centre of that energy is AFLO. the poet, returning to Brighton Dome with her acclaimed Status Flo nights as part of October Unpacked.
AFLO. the poet has become one of Brighton’s most defining creative forces. An award‑winning spoken-word artist, activist and academic, she uses poetry to confront racism, mental health and lived experience with a clarity that refuses to look away. Her work is bold, unfiltered and rooted in truth – and Status Flo is her way of opening that space to others. The night blends established performers with emerging local voices, and always leaves room for someone in the audience to step up and surprise the room.
October’s edition marks Black History Month, headlined by Maureen Onwunali, a Dublin‑born Nigerian poet and two‑time national slam champion. Maureen’s work has travelled across BBC Radio London, BFI, Hay Festival, Apples and Snakes, The Poetry Society and more – a voice shaped by heritage, rhythm and razor‑sharp observation. She brings a presence that fills the room before she even reaches the mic. In November, Status Flo shifts its focus to Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, led by writer and visual artist Kareem Parkins‑Brown.
Kareem’s work is surreal, tender and unmistakably London, with performances spanning Tate Modern, Royal Academy, National Literacy Trust, Paris Saint‑Germain FC and beyond. His poem ‘Love For That’ was championed by the Mayor of London in 2025, reminding Londoners they are loved and wanted – a message that lands powerfully in a month dedicated to men’s wellbeing.
Across both months, Status Flo offers what Brighton does best: a space for expression, community and connection. As October Unpacked unfolds, AFLO. the poet’s nights stand as a cultural anchor, a reminder that spoken word isn’t just performance, but a catalyst for change.
STATUS FLO | Mon 5 Oct 20:00 @Brighton Dome | www.brightondome.org
Read other articles here
