A LOCAL poet has been nominated for a national award after working hard to promote inclusion in poetry and positively impacting Bradford’s cultural scene.

Sharena Lee Satti a Bradford-based spoken word artist, poet, event host, and poetry workshop facilitator has been nominated in the category of Role Model for the National Diversity Awards.

Her book ‘SHE’ was published in 2020 by the prize-winning publishing company The Verve Poetry Press and she is currently working on her new, as yet untitled, book, funded by the Arts Council, due to be published by the Verve Poetry Press in 2023.

Sharena’s poetry has been described as real and raw drawing on her own life experiences, struggles, cultural identity, and upbringing - often addressing themes that can be difficult to talk about, but which express a genuine vulnerability that creates the opportunity for others to also accept and address their own thoughts, feelings, and experiences.

Sharena is the co-founder of Spoke, a non-profit organisation raising the profile of spoken word and poetry.

Bradford Telegraph and Argus: Sharena Lee Satti at Huddersfield Literature Festival Sharena Lee Satti at Huddersfield Literature Festival

Sharena’s work has always been very grass-root inspired, which contributes positively to her community and as such saw her selected as a Change-maker by The Leap – a creative people and places programme focusing on community-led culture, along with Bradford District Creative Board.

Throughout the COVID 19 lockdown Sharena hosted regular online open-mics to keep the poetry community connected, and from this, with her love of poetry and spoken word, created another project Breaking the Silence an online monthly open-mic, in collaboration with Author Abda Khan

The Breathtaking Liverpool Anglican Cathedral will play host to this year’s awards, to be held on 16th September 2022. Britain’s most inspirational and selfless people will come together to honour the rich tapestry of our nation, recognising individuals and groups from grassroots communities.

The prestigious black-tie event recognises nominees in their respective fields of diversity including age, disability, gender, race, faith, religion, and sexual orientation.

Sharen said: “I was so shocked and deeply humbled that someone would nominate me, it's a national nomination and I can think of many that would deserve such, but never thought of myself. 

“It really made me smile that someone thought of me and thought I deserved such. It really made my day and the nomination in itself is a real blessing.”