Colpitts Poetry Live: Donald Jenkins & Born Lippy; Patience Ezinwoke

Colpitts begins a new season with a double bill – a takeover from Donald Jenkins & Born Lippy and a set by Tees Valley based Nigerian poet Patience Ezinwoke.

Donald Jenkins & Born Lippy

Donald Jenkins is a spoken word poet and rapper who loves to rant and rhyme. He has performed throughout the UK including Glastonbury Festival and the Royal Albert Hall. His work has featured in – ‘New Word Order’, ‘The Writer’s Cafe’ ‘Riggwelter’ ‘ Best New British Poets 2020/21 Anthology’ and Morecambe Poetry Festival Anthology 2023. Since 2025 he has toured with his debut show and book, Still Raving in Your 40s?. He also runs Born Lippy and co-runs SlamFresh poetry in education.

Born Lippy is the North East platform for all things wordy – Spoken Word, Hip Hop and Comedy. For nearly 9 years they have been showcasing the finest diverse national, international and local wordsmiths at multiple notable venues in Newcastle. They have curated stages on behalf of Lindisfarne, Words Weekender, Summer Streets, Little Lindi, START & Newcastle Poetry Festivals and run the annual Geet Muckle Slam at Northern Stage in Newcastle.

Patience Ezinwoke

Patience Ezinwoke (PhD) is a British Nigerian poet, writer, and educator celebrated for her contributions to English language education and literature in Nigeria and beyond. She co-founded the English Language Teachers Association of Nigeria and has been recognised by the British High Commissioner for her extensive work with the British Council. Her acclaimed works include the award-winning teen novel The Lost Beach, the poetry collection Drill Baby Drill, and the environmentally themed novel The Black River.

Ezinwoke’s literary and perfomance work continues to inspire audiences, academic and literary communities. She has made poetic contributions to the anthologies Our Place, Our History: An anthology of Black and Asian British Poetry from the North of England and Building Bridges: An International Anthology of Ekphrasis and Reimagining Middlesbrough: a compendium and has performed at the T-Junction International Festival. She’s a member of Tees Women Poets and works as an English teacher for British Council English Online.

Plus open mic for your poems and original songs – sign up from 7pm.