‘Step into Africa’, organised by the University’s Office for Institutional Equity in partnership with LEEDS 2023 and the event’s Creative Producer Ndidi Nkwopara, will welcome children from African communities across Leeds on to campus and will encourage them to explore and embrace their ancestry and help them connect with and to their roots.

The Leeds International African Arts Festival is a week-long (Saturday 8 July to Saturday 15 July) celebration of African heritage, culture and creativity, featuring work from emerging artists and innovators. The festival also helps improve wider knowledge of Africa within Leeds, encouraging inclusive and diverse attitudes and countering negative stereotypes.

The event, aimed at families, gives participants an opportunity to decorate a mosaic square with their pre-existing understanding of Africa, before splitting into groups to take part in sensorial workshops and painting classes. Attendees will regroup for a storytelling session to bring to a close the afternoon’s activity.

Susan Wilcock, Assistant Project Lead for the Office for Institutional Equity at Leeds Trinity, said: “We are very excited to be hosting this creative children's event, commissioned by LEEDS 2023, as part of the Leeds International African Arts Festival. We are looking forward to welcoming children from our Leeds African community to our campus in Horsforth and hope this will be the first of many visits. We may even be lucky enough to see them return to study one day. It has been a pleasure to work with Ndidi and her team who have not only planned and produced the workshops at Leeds Trinity University, but who have also created a week of wonderful activities across our city, for all to enjoy.”

Ndidi Nkwopara, Writer, Creative Producer and Life Coach, said: “It’s been a joy working with the Leeds Trinity University team. They have been incredibly supportive and welcoming. I am looking forward to the families attending our workshops and finding out what they think and feel they know about Africa at the start of the activities compared to what they may have learnt afterwards.”

Emma Beverley, Director of Programmes for LEEDS 2023 added: “2023 is an important year for Leeds. The whole city is a stage for people to share their creative work, encourage others to do the same, to share skills and knowledge and work collaboratively to create inspirational, educational and entertaining opportunities for all to engage with and be inspired by. 

“It’s been a pleasure working with our partners. I hope everyone will take full advantage of the events and workshops on offer by Leeds International African Festival at the University’s Horsforth campus. It’s going to be incredible.”

Events for the Leeds International African Arts Festival are taking place across the city and include a book launch, cinema screenings and an awards night. For more information about the programme of work, visit the LEEDS 2023 website.

To find out more about the workshop event taking place at Leeds Trinity University and to book, visit the Eventbrite booking page.