Benjamin Zephaniah posthumously awarded first City of Birmingham Medal

The poet Benjamin Zephaniah has been posthumously awarded the first City of Birmingham Medal, in a ceremony held in the building at Birmingham City University that bears his name.

His brother, Tippa Naphtali, and his widow, Qian Zephaniah, accepted the medal on his behalf on 11 March in the Benjamin Zephaniah Building on BCU's City Centre Campus.

A new civic honour

The City of Birmingham Medal is the city's third civic award, and Zephaniah is its inaugural recipient. The medal was designed by students at BCU's School of Jewellery, one of the most renowned jewellery schools in the country.

A son of Handsworth

Born in Handsworth, Zephaniah began performing poetry at demonstrations and youth gatherings. His many books, including Refugee Boy, Too Black Too Strong and The Life and Rhymes of Benjamin Zephaniah, often tackled race and equality head on. He was heavily influenced by Jamaican music and poetry, released several albums, and appeared on radio and television, including as Jeremiah "Jimmy" Jesus in the BBC drama Peaky Blinders.

His work is on the national curriculum and continues to inspire writers, rappers and poets. He was also known for his charitable and community work, and proudly called himself a "son of Birmingham". He died in 2023.

"From his groundbreaking poetry collections to his iconic role in Peaky Blinders, Benjamin Zephaniah was a trailblazer and is a much-missed son of Birmingham whose work continues to shape our cultural and literary identity," said the Lord Mayor, Councillor Zafar Iqbal MBE, who presented the medal.

Professor David Mba, Vice-Chancellor of BCU, described Zephaniah's voice as "fearless and compassionate", and said it was especially meaningful that the medal had been designed by the university's own jewellery students.

"The best canals, parks, hip-hop and reggae"

His brother said the family was "extremely proud that it is Benjamin's city of birth that is making this award", and thanked the council for supporting several memorial initiatives since his death.

"He used to say that Birmingham was the best city in the country, with the best curries, the best canals, parks, hip-hop and reggae - and he meant every word," said Qian Zephaniah.

"This award is not just his - it belongs to every young writer and dreamer in Handsworth and across this city who dares to speak out," she said, thanking Birmingham for "keeping his spirit alive in the next generation".

The medal joins the city's other civic honours, and the council says it is intended to recognise people who have made an outstanding contribution to Birmingham and its reputation.