Make it Shine! is a celebration and appreciation of language diversity and poetic forms such as dub-wise and narrative poetry poised for performance. The reader becomes engaged through the rhythms of speech and humour whilst identifying with a character or situation. At times, the reader is led to a place of self-reflection through such themes as spiritual and cultural identity, transition, adoption, bullying, love, perseverance, resilience and renewal.

Within the Make It Shine! collection, you will find poems that celebrate Black heroines and heroes from our past and present thus acknowledging the existence and rich legacy of ancient civilizations well before the transatlantic slave trade. Here, the spoken voice echoes the invitation to those who are willing to ‘shine’ encouraging them to go that extra mile to achieve their future aspirations.

As well as entertaining her audience with her crafted use of Caribbean dialect and humorous reflections of ‘small days’, Make It Shine! will not only inspire but will provide moments of appreciation for the rich culturally diverse beginnings that salute our heritage.