YOLANDA LEAR
Poet • Author • Spoken Word Artist
Hackney-born Yolanda Lear is a poet, self-published author, spoken word artist, public speaker, mental health advocate and community activist.
Yolanda uses words as tools for healing, resilience, empowerment and social change, drawing on lived experience to encourage others to recognise their worth and overcome adversity. In 2020, she published The Journey To An Undefeated Mind, a motivational book exploring mental health, setbacks and self-belief. Her poetry addresses issues including identity, racism, injustice and the Black British experience, and she has performed as a guest poet at a celebration marking 50 years of New Beacon Books, alongside Professor Gus John.
Why Hackney Matters
Born and raised in Hackney, Yolanda’s writing and activism are rooted in the borough and its young people. She has worked with young people at risk of school exclusion, helping them develop confidence, resilience and positive ways to redirect their strengths. Her journey demonstrates how poetry can move beyond the page to become a powerful tool for healing, protest, community action and giving young people a voice.
Did You Know?
Yolanda’s commitment to Hackney’s young people began early. In 2010, while still a young person herself, she received a Young Leaders Award at the Hackney Youth Sport Awards, recognising the positive contribution she was already making within her community.