Birdspeed

British born Barbadian raised artist, Birdspeed, is a rising star in the poetry scene. As a performer she is known for her ability to captivate audiences by effortlessly weaving poetry, storytelling, satirical humour and movement. Her writing is equally as breathtaking and often a combination of social commentary and auto- biographical tales including themes on: Caribbean culture and folklore, afrofuturism, black feminism, mental health (especially in black working class communities), and the lingering effects of colonialism on the black body. Birdspeed is Barbadian slang meaning “To Move Real Fast” Birdspeed is the alter ego/ performance character of Safiya Kamaria Kinshasa. Birdspeed originally referred to Safiya’s unique dance style which incorporated rapid body movements and her athleticism being a competitive sprinter. Birdspeed is also a symbol for strength, integrity and pays homage to Safiya’s childhood dreams of becoming a superhero. Safiya is also an activist and often uses her character to raise awareness on issues regarding her identity as a black British West Indian woman. ​