Introduction
Sometime in the year 2023, I witnessed a captivating poetry performance by 21-year-old Oduenyi, sparking my interest in their creative journey and the community they founded called TRIBE. Oduenyi who describes themself as “an artist, creator, musician and warrior poet who uses art as a medium to liberate themself and aid people in their mental liberation” founded TRIBE as a vibrant community that celebrates and amplifies underrepresented voices within artistic spaces. Through TRIBE, they aim to create a safe space and sense of community for black, POC and LGBTQIA+ artists in London while nurturing their creative expression. Oduenyi says, “Often, artists develop an ego centred around performance, forgetting that art’s essence lies in connecting with the audience during the act. This is the basis of TRIBE and what we are about. We are a collective of individuals committed to creating art with the aim of serving others.”
As an immigrant in London, Oduenyi draws from personal experiences to shape TRIBE into a welcoming space. Having faced the challenges of navigating unfamiliar territories, they understand the importance of finding community and acceptance. Reflecting on their journey, Oduenyi recalls:
“I grew up in Ireland, where community bonds were stronger than in London. However, as a black person in Ireland, I never found my community. So, when I moved to London, I had hoped to discover my queer utopia—a place where queer black individuals are free to express themselves openly, where we could dance, skip, and hold hands without inhibition. Unfortunately, that wasn’t the reality. Instead, everyone seemed guarded and closed off. Living in such a guarded manner isn’t fulfilling, especially for an artist. I believe beautiful art can not be created if we can’t be vulnerable and open.”
“When I performed poetry on stage, I couldn’t bring myself to look at the audience. My head was always down, lost in my book. I never felt truly connected with my audience, leaving me unsatisfied. I mistakenly believed that this detached performance style was the norm. It wasn’t until later that I realised these spaces were anxiety-inducing, negatively impacting not only my performances but also how many other artists approached art. Instead of creating authentic, meaningful art, we were conforming to a predetermined notion of what ‘good’ art should be.” They add.
Oduenyi founded TRIBE on the principles of equity and representation. Their vision was to create a platform where marginalised artists could thrive and connect with like-minded individuals who shared their experiences and struggles. TRIBE’s mission is guided by values of authenticity, unity, and respect. It seeks to provide a safe and supportive environment where artists can freely express themselves without fear of judgement or discrimination. In Oduenyi’s words;
“My personal experiences shaped my vision for TRIBE by highlighting the kind of space I didn’t want to create. TRIBE exists because myself and the team recognize the lack of safe spaces for queer, black individuals, particularly those with darker skin tones. We’ve encountered spaces that claim to be safe, only to find them filled with toxic dynamics—people seeking power, dominance, and inflicting harm. In such environments, we often felt silenced and resigned to accept the status quo. However, we came together with a shared desire for something better. We envisioned events where attendees felt truly safe, valued, and included—not just as spectators, but as integral parts of the experience. Our goal is to challenge traditional notions of what it means to be a musician or performer, encouraging people to look outside the binaries of what we consider art and embrace diverse perspectives in the hopes of inspiring something greater.”
At the heart of TRIBE is a commitment to ensuring that diverse voices are not only heard but celebrated. Through curated events and digital platforms, TRIBE showcases a wide range of artistic expressions, actively seeking out artists from marginalised backgrounds and providing them with opportunities to share their stories and perspectives.
“Since launching TRIBE events, we’ve witnessed a significant shift. With each gathering, I encounter new faces, individuals who may have never ventured into mainstream spaces before. Welcoming them into our community, putting them on stage, and handing them a microphone reveals a wealth of talent. It is a testament to the richness and abundance found when we embrace diversity and step outside conventional boundaries.” Oduenyi adds.
Impact on the Community
TRIBE has played a pivotal role in fostering a sense of community within the black and LGBTQIA+ artistic space. Through events, it has provided opportunities for artists to collaborate, showcase their work, and build meaningful relationships. Notable instances of TRIBE’s positive impact include facilitating collaborations between creatives, and organising live music nights and jam sessions that highlight the diversity of voices within the community. Many individuals would credit TRIBE with helping them gain confidence in their craft and creating a space where they can exist in the fullness of their identities.
Oduenyi says “Many individuals overlook the complexities of finding safe spaces as a queer black person. You might enter queer spaces only to find them dominated by white individuals—specifically butches and twinks—while lacking representation for studs, black dykes, or black trans women. On the other hand, black spaces often prioritise celebrating black identity but may inadvertently exclude the queer community, creating a heterosexual utopia that fails to fully embrace the diverse facets of black identity.”
“At our inaugural TRIBE event, we experienced a remarkable and diverse gathering. Nearly 99% of attendees were black, encompassing a mix of queer, trans, nonbinary individuals, along with a notable presence of cisgender heterosexual men. Emphasising equality and inclusivity, we made it clear that everyone present was a participant, with no distinction between spectators and participants.
As we communicated this message, a palpable shift occurred. Attendees moved from the sidelines to actively engage with one another, forming connections and sharing moments of camaraderie. Witnessing black trans women and trans men, alongside cis men, laughing, hugging, and conversing, was a truly heartwarming experience—one I had never seen before.
This event underscored the importance of creating spaces where blackness and queerness can coexist harmoniously. TRIBE aims to create these environments where queer individuals feel safe and accepted, without their safety being compromised by the presence of straight individuals. Our goal is to challenge the notion of divisions within the black community, emphasising unity and inclusivity above all else.”
Challenges and Successes
Reflecting on TRIBE’s journey, Oduenyi acknowledges the challenges of building and sustaining a community-focused organisation. From securing venues for TRIBE’s events which are always free, to navigating interpersonal dynamics, there have been obstacles along the way.
“Typically, we negotiate with bars or venues to host our events for free, if they align with our mission. They profit from the beverages sold during TRIBE gatherings. However, on one occasion, a venue agreed to host us but abruptly rescinded their support a day before the event. They insisted that we couldn’t restrict attendance to black and POC individuals and must admit white attendees. This decision felt like a blow to our autonomy, challenging our ability to define the event’s intended audience.” Oduenyi recalls.
However, Oduenyi and their team have remained resilient, drawing strength from the support of the community and their shared commitment to the mission. “This particular TRIBE event presented numerous challenges. The venue neglected to clean or prepare the space adequately, and essential equipment was lacking. Additionally, they instructed their sound engineer to depart early, increasing our technical difficulties. Despite nearly cancelling the event, our team rallied, mobilising our resources to clean the venue ourselves. During the event, unfamiliar faces from the audience stepped up to assist with sound issues and other challenges, demonstrating a heartwarming sense of community. While this experience presented a steep learning curve, it also showcased the generosity and support of those attending our events. Their willingness to contribute underscores the mutual investment in creating meaningful experiences within our community”
Despite setbacks and challenges, TRIBE has celebrated numerous successes and milestones. From hosting successful events to expanding its reach both online and offline, TRIBE has continued to grow and make a tangible impact on the black queer community in London.
When asked about TRIBE’s successes, Oduenyi says; “reflecting on our milestones, I find it gratifying to participate in interviews like this one, discussing TRIBE. It indicates that our message is resonating and reaching fellow queer black individuals. It is rewarding to see our brainstorming sessions translate into events that garner attention and inspire others to write about them. Considering we have only hosted three physical events, the opportunity to engage in meaningful dialogue like this feels like a significant achievement. Connecting with you in this way is truly beautiful, and it reinforces the impact TRIBE is making within our community.”
Vision for the Future
In Oduenyi’s view, creating spaces that celebrate diversity within the arts is not only a moral imperative but also essential for the advancement of the industry as a whole. By embracing a wide range of perspectives and experiences, art becomes more vibrant, innovative, and reflective of the world we live in. Consequently, initiatives like TRIBE play a crucial role in advancing broader conversations about inclusivity within the artistic community. By providing platforms for marginalised artists to showcase their work and connect with audiences, TRIBE helps challenge existing power structures and push for greater representation and visibility.
Looking ahead, Oduenyi envisions TRIBE as a leading force for change within the arts scene. They hope to further expand its reach, creating more opportunities for marginalised artists to thrive and succeed. Oduenyi also plans to launch new initiatives focused on community, ensuring that TRIBE’s mission stays the same.
“I eagerly anticipate TRIBE’s expansion, envisioning events both in East London alongside our established South London gatherings. Beyond music-centric events, we aim to diversify our offerings with activities such as chess nights and comedy nights, providing unique avenues for individuals to connect with themselves and each other.
Our overarching goal is to create a movement where people are more attuned to their emotions and interpersonal connections. In a time where healing is paramount, TRIBE aspires to play a role in this process, reminding individuals that they can engage with art consciously, using it as a tool for introspection rather than merely an escape from reality.”
Conclusion
TRIBE stands as a beacon of hope and inspiration within the artistic community, offering a glimpse of what is possible when we come together to celebrate diversity and uplift underrepresented voices. Through their vision Oduenyi and the entire TRIBE team continue to make a lasting impact, proving that art has the power to unite, empower, and transform lives. Best put in their words; “Every TRIBE is a celebration, and I hope we keep having reasons to celebrate.”
