Kwame Kwei-Armah: Well done!

Congratulations to playwright, actor and broadcaster and  Kwame Kwei-Armah who has become the new Chancellor of University of the Arts London.

Kwame, who was the first Black British playwright to have a play performed in the West End with Elmina’s Kitchen in 2005, takes over from retired Lord Stevenson, and takes up the honorary post with immediate effect.

A friend of OBV and political activist, Kwame has hosted many of our voter registration rallies and spoken at our empowerment seminars, as well as representing OBV in political media interviews.

He used the organisation as part of his research for his 2009 play 'Seize The Day' which was set in a political think tank, and centered on the ambitions of an African-Caribbean contender for the office of London's mayor.

The university says his appointment crowns an eight year association with them which began in 2002 when he studied for an MA in Screenwriting at London College of Communication at the same time as appearing in the BBC drama Casualty, and that as Chancellor he will be an important ceremonial and ambassadorial figure in the life of the University. 

Welcoming his appointment, Sir John Tusa, Chairman of University of the Arts London, said; “Kwame’s unflagging passion for creative arts education will make him a powerful ambassador for our students, staff and graduates.

"When he first came to study at the University he was already a working writer and it says a great deal about the kind of person he is that, despite early success, he remained eager to learn, grow and develop further.

"That hard work to sharpen his talent has made him one the most ambitious and accomplished writers in the UK today, adept at giving audiences nuanced insights into complex issues".

OBV Director, Simon Woolley added; "This is an important appointment on so many levels; to head the governance of such a prestigious institution is an achievement in itself, and he will bring his vitality and energy to the post, but it also sends out an inspiirational message that with talent and dedication we can achieve the very top posts in any walk of life. Well done Kwame!"

Kwame was a Governor at the University from 2005 to 2010.

Winsome-Grace Cornish