CHÉRIE TAYLOR BATTISTE

Chérie Taylor Battiste was born in London, and raised in Leeds. After graduating in African Studies at (SOAS) she was a TV researcher, gaining a place on accelerated progress scheme. After moving into acting, she had various roles, winning the Norman Beaton Fellowship, and joining the BBC Radio Drama Company.
Chérie launched her debut poetry collection ‘Lioness’ (Valley Press) at the Tetley Gallery in Leeds, to a full house. Her poetry paints narratives rich in imagery, exploring themes of identity, race, belonging.
Chérie is an Associate Artist with esteemed literary curators Renaissance One Current /Recent work : Recently Chérie was the chosen poet to open for journalist & broadcaster Gary Younge, launching a Special Issue of the journal ‘Race Today’ at Goldsmiths University, London After interviewing Paterson Joseph on his historical fiction novel, ‘The Secret Diaries of Charles Ignatius Sancho’, for Huddersfield Litfest, she then, last week, donned period costume at Greenwich Maritime Museum, alongside Paterson, after been invited to be a special guest reader on his book tour, playing Anne Osbourne She was recently invited to the South African High Commission after being chosen as a ‘Changemaker’ for Action for Southern Africa (ACTSA), created by Anti- Apartheid Movement She performed in Brixton for the 81Acts reclaiming Brixton project exploring Black Women’s Activism in the 1980s She launched Huddersfield LitFest 2023 with a film of her poem “He Remains” about David Oluwale ; a collaboration with KLTV and musician Omar Lyefook MBE Chérie has just ended a post as writer in residence at Dewsbury library, for a project run by Lawrence Batley Theatre Chérie recently spread the message held within David Oluwale’s story to the next generation, facilitating poetry workshops at Holmfirth High School.