Shirley May is a literary architect, a cultural guardian, and a radical force for change. A first-generation Black British poet of Jamaican heritage and a proud Mancunian, Shirley has spent decades ensuring that Manchester’s artistic and literary landscapes are not just inclusive—but transformed. She has made it her mission to elevate unheard voices, create platforms where none existed, and ensure that poetry is not just for the privileged few, but for everyone.
As CEO and Artistic Director of Young Identity, she has built one of the UK’s most important spoken word collectives—a movement that has empowered thousands of young people to own their stories and shape their futures through poetry and performance. Young Identity is more than an arts programme; it is a catalyst for confidence, self-expression, and change, providing young people with a microphone when society might otherwise hand them silence.
But Shirley is more than a mentor—she is a force of nature. Her poetry is raw, urgent, and deeply rooted in heritage, struggle, and hope. Her collection, She Wrote Her Own Eulogy, is a fearless meditation on Black British identity, legacy, and the power of language to reclaim history. Her album, Rainfall, fuses spoken word with music, proving that poetry does not belong behind glass—it breathes, moves, and belongs in the streets, the schools, and the hearts of those who need it most.
Shirley’s impact is felt across Manchester and far beyond. She has performed at the Nuyorican Poets Café in New York, the Calabash Festival in Jamaica, and stages across the world, always carrying Manchester with her—the grit, the energy, the unstoppable drive for change. As a Royal Society of Literature Fellow and an educator, she is shaping the future of British literature, not just by writing it, but by ensuring that young people from every background believe they have the right to write their own futures.
Manchester is a city of reinvention, resilience, and revolution—and Shirley May embodies it all. She is not just telling stories; she is changing who gets to tell them. Through her words, her mentorship, and her unwavering belief in the power of young voices, she is ensuring that the poets of tomorrow don’t have to fight to be heard—because she has already carved out a space for them.
About Frameworthy
Frameworthy is an uplifting and powerful exhibition series celebrating those making the greatest difference—changemakers—through art. Held throughout the UK and further afield in iconic arts-related and cultural venues, Frameworthy exhibitions and art shows are unique and inspiring occasions where changemakers from all backgrounds come together, mingling in front of art that honours them, alongside dignitaries, the press, and fellow changemakers.
Through powerful storytelling, breathtaking art, and unforgettable exhibitions, Frameworthy celebrates impact, community, and the beauty of cultural spaces. Each portrait is created at no cost to the changemaker, ensuring that those shaping our world are recognised in the timeless medium of art.
More than just an exhibition, Frameworthy is a joyful, diverse, and meaningful celebration—where changemakers, remarkable venues, and the communities they serve are honoured and uplifted.
Discover more about Frameworthy’s exhibitions and the people we celebrate here.
