By: La Shawna Griffith
In a celebration befitting her remarkable journey, cultural practitioner and writer Nailah Folami Imoja recently secured first prize in the prestigious 27th Frank Collymore Literary Endowment (FCLE) Awards. This recognition not only highlights her longstanding contributions to Barbadian literature but also positions her as a living embodiment of the national spirit behind We Gatherin—a call for reconnection, reunion, and cultural pride.
For Imoja, the win still feels surreal. “I didn’t expect to win… I just assumed that, as had happened twice in the past, I had come third,” she shared candidly. After nearly a decade of not entering the competition, the victory caught her off guard, but it affirmed the quiet strength of her literary voice which is one that was honed over decades of writing, cultural work, and dedication to the arts.
Nailah’s journey in the arts began as early as age seven, when she tried writing her first book. After studying abroad, she returned to Barbados in 1997 and immediately felt the lack of a literary scene. That prompted her to co-found Voices: Barbados Writers’ Collective in 1998. Her momentum didn’t stop there; she became Cultural Officer for Literary Arts at the National Cultural Foundation, helping shape the nation’s cultural narrative from within.
Her writing is deeply anchored in truth and social awareness. “I didn’t sit down to write about specific themes,” she explained, “but you see things in society and ask, what do you stand for? What do you care about?” The result has been described as “angry love poems,” sometimes aimed at the nation itself. Her stories, essays, and poems pulse with a fierce love for Barbados, often addressing the complexities of identity, injustice, and cultural memory.
Imoja’s story and ethos align perfectly with the sentiment behind We Gatherin. She recalls the campaign’s launch with warmth: “It makes me smile. It’s like a grand national family reunion… I think of smiles, and I think of reunions”. As a writer and cultural leader, she exemplifies that spirit of not just in celebration, but in active creation and mentorship.
To emerging writers, she offers wisdom forged in both success and struggle. “Keep writing. Write what you want to read. Hone your craft. Listen to your elders,” she advises. Imoja also cautions against rushing to publish, urging writers instead to find mentors and invest time in mastering their craft.
Even as she takes on the spotlight, Imoja remains grounded. She continues teaching, inspiring students particularly young girls who now see her as a local celebrity after her recent win. “They’re looking at me with new eyes,” she said, amused by her newfound recognition at school.
With nearly 30 years of literary engagement and cultural advocacy under her belt, Nailah Folami Imoja stands not just as a Frank Collymore awardee, but as a beacon of what We Gatherin truly represents: pride in one’s roots, commitment to community, and an unyielding love for the stories that shape us.
