Alumnus Receives Honorary Fellowship

Congratulations to Caleb Azumah Nelson (Brading’s 2012) for being made an Honorary Fellow of Goldsmiths, University of London, in recognition of his work as a writer, photographer and champion of Black creative expression. 

Caleb’s multi-award-winning debut novel Open Water was published in 2021 and was recently commissioned by the BBC to become an eight-part drama series with Caleb serving as the drama’s lead writer, director and executive producer. His second novel, Small Worlds was published in 2023, and he was awarded the most prestigious literary prize for young writers, the Swansea University Dylan Thomas Prize. In 2024 he was named on The Sunday Times Young Power List. 

On receiving this incredible honour, Caleb gave a beautiful speech congratulating those graduating and thanking Goldsmiths and his loved ones for their support. And he spoke about power – the power in our communities, the power of your own curiosity, and lastly, the power in your own voice. 

He said: 

“Go towards the places and things you love because you will find your people. And when you do find your people, be active in the building of spaces which reflect the world you would like to live in. Take pride in your communities. Celebrate each other. Afford each other love, care and grace.” 

He continued:

"Have faith that your voice is important, that the stories and modes of expression you choose are deserving of a place in the world, because they are. All of us have a voice, and if we allow those voices to speak to each other, meeting each other honestly, to be able to express our loves, our desires, our needs, and crucially, our angers, then maybe, we might make space for each other, maybe we might afford each other, and ourselves, some freedom, in this world. And maybe this might become our power.” 

Goldsmiths awards Honorary Fellowships to those whose exceptional accomplishments reflect the ethos and values important to the Goldsmiths community. It is an opportunity to honour individuals who have inspired their students, contributed to the community and achieved distinction in industries pursued by creative and academic disciplines.  

Congratulations Caleb! 

Hear more of Caleb's speech on Instagram:

 

 

 

 

 

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