Theresa Lola (born 6 May 1994) is a British Nigerian poet and writer. She was joint winner of the 2018 Brunel International African Poetry Prize.[1] In April 2019, she was announced as the 2019 Young People's Laureate for London.[2]
Theresa Lola | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | 6 May 1994 |
| Nationality | British Nigerian |
| Education | Kellogg College, Oxford, University of Hertfordshire |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Notable work | In Search of Equilibrium |
| Awards | Brunel International African Poetry Prize |
Early life edit
Theresa Lola was born in Lagos, Nigeria, and moved to London, England in 2007 when she was 13. In 2015, she graduated with a first-class degree in Accounting and Finance from the University of Hertfordshire.[3]
Career edit
After university, Lola took part in the Barbican Young Poets programme.[4] Shortly after she was shortlisted for the 2016 Bridport Poetry Prize,[5] and later won the 2017 Hammer and Tongue National Poetry Slam.[6] In 2018, she was joint winner of the 2018 Brunel International African Poetry Prize. In that same year she was commissioned by the Mayor of London's Office to write and read a poem at the unveiling of Millicent Fawcett's statue at Parliament Square.[7] A year later, in April 2019, she was announced as the 2019 Young People's Laureate for London. In 2019 Lola's debut full-length poetry collection In Search of Equilibrium was published by Nine Arches Press, described by Pascale Petit as a "glorious hymn to being alive and wounded".[8]
References edit
- ^ "Theresa Lola is joint winner of Brunel International African Poetry Prize". The Poetry Society. 1 May 2018.
- ^ Varghese, Sanjana (19 April 2019). "Theresa Lola named young people's laureate for London". The Guardian.
- ^ Prichard, Charlotte (17 August 2018). "Women We Watch: Theresa Lola". Tatty Devine.
- ^ "Impossible Things About Optimism" (PDF). Barbican Young Poets 2016. Barbican Centre.
- ^ "2016 Shortlists". The Bridport Prize.
- ^ Lydia, Smith (13 January 2017). "New UK Poetry Slam champion crowned at the Royal Albert Hall". Royal Albert Hall.
- ^ Alexandra, Topping (24 April 2018). "First statue of a woman in Parliament Square unveiled". The Guardian.
- ^ "In Search of Equilibrium". Nine Arches Press.
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