Akila Richards is a poet, spoken word artist and writer. Her work is published in Covert Magazines, Mosaic Writers, Penguin, Peepal Tree Press, Waterloo Press and on digital platforms. Her first poetry publication ‘Ritual for a Mango’ was published by Flipped Eye in 2024 https://flippedeye.net/product/ritual-for-a-mango/ which led to a regional tour of live music and recital https://brightondome.org/whats-on/VBn-mango-ritual/. The poetic film short was selected for the Versopolis 2026 digital poetry tour https://www.versopolis.com/initiative/poetry-expo-26/content/1904/ritual-for-a-mango-poetic-video Commissions include Eastbourne Alive, the public programme for the Turner Prize 2024, co-curating for Brighton Festivals 2021/22 and associate writer for We Hear You Now https://www.sevensisters.org.uk/we-hear-you-now/explore-the-work/ More work is at Dulwich Gallery website, Wasafiri Instagram and her youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@AkilaMRichards-fx8nr

As the founder of The Rest Experience CIC, Akila works with and for marginalised communities to find transformative rest in creative and collective ways. The organisation developed over the last six years, that include outdoor programmes, intimate events, community retreats and surprising happenings. The work includes collaboration with a range of artists , communities, groups and organisations to co-create and support the vision and spread the message of rest in joyful, meaningful and profound ways. https://akilarichards.wordpress.com/the-rest-experience/.