Dimeji Sodeke is a published author of all genres of literature with seven notable works: “The Gods of My Parents,” “Dwelling in the Belly of the Beast” & “Heavens of Immortals (Novels), and “The Big Black Theory” (Anthology of Poems), “The Sun of a Widow” (Autobiography), The Anointed Royalty (Biography of HRM King M.S Akindele Paramount Ruler Owode-Yewa land, Ogun State-Nigeria) & “Ooni Luwo: One Queen, Two Kings” (A Play).
His literary works have received endorsements from prominent figures, including Nobel laureate Professor Wole Soyinka. He was part of the writers that contributed to his “The Herald at 90: A Bilingual Collection of Poems and Essays Edited by Prof. Bill F. Ndi”. His poem in the this collection could be found at page 37 titled “Dimeji Sodeke’s Ode to Wole Soyinka”.
In recognition of his impact as a global youth icon, UNESCO recognised “The Big Black Theory” and featured his poem from the collection titled “Mother Alkebulan” on its official website.
As a key participant in the African Presidential Leadership Program, he was selected as a member of the inaugural cohort of the African Presidential Leadership Program (APLP) held in Egypt under the auspices of His Excellency Abdel Fattah El Sisi. During this program, he actively contributed to the creative aspects of the event, including co-writing and performing poetry in the theme song titled “The Africa We Want,” which encapsulates the aspirations of a united and prosperous Africa.
Also, he was part of the representation at the Biennale Luanda Pan-African Forum for Peace and Culture. In 2021, he was honored to represent his cohort at the Biennale Luanda Pan-African Forum for Peace and Culture, organized by UNESCO, the African Union, the Government of Angola, and ICESCO. Dimeji’s selection was based on the outstanding contributions and insights, culminating in an exclusive interview featured on the official UNESCO website. His poem “Mother Alkebulan” was highlighted on various social media platforms, amplifying his voice and message on a global stage.
Dimeji was awarded in 2025 “The Inclusive Educator” of the year by Minorities Recognition Awards Northern Ireland MRANI a category sponsored by Ulster University and also by International Impact Books Awards 2025 in the United States for his profound literature titled “Heavens of Immortals. He has a successful stage play tour in 2025 titled “Ooni Luwo; One Queen, Two Kings” which sold out in Nigeria, London, Kent and Belfast in the United Kingdom in 2025.
Presentation: Using Poetry and Writing to Navigate Difficult Conversations
This session is a conversation-through-art experience at the Kent Arts Conference 2026. Rather than a conventional poetry reading, it is a structured presentation that uses poetry, personal narrative, and literary reflection to open up some of the most urgent conversations of our time. These include migration, belonging, identity, political silence, and the cost of staying quiet.
The poem recitation will be the centrepiece of the session, but the topic of the poem will not be shared until the moment of delivery. This is a deliberate choice to build anticipation and allow the themes to land with full impact. The recitation is preceded by a grounded conversation and followed by audience engagement activities.
