Oni Lasana - Powerful Poetics

Since 1994 Lasana has toured internationally performing and facilitating workshops on the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar (1872-1906). Her one woman play set in the 1800's features Dunbar's most beloved dialect poetry which gave voice to a people who had no voice. Dunbar was the first free African man in America to self publish and make a living from presenting his poetry, writing novels, short stories and plays. Lasana considers him the father of the spoken word movement in America. Tune in to find out why.

Lasana is hailed as "The Voice of Dunbar" by Professor Nikki Giovanni and can be heard "rapping" Dunbar's poetry in the award winning book, 'Hip Hop Speaks To Children." She can be seen in the The Paul Laurence Dunbar Definitive DVD Collection and on You Tube. Oni Lasana is a life member of The National Association of Black Storytellers.  

Her latest work in progress is to bring to life the poetry of The Honorable Marcus Mosiah Garvey through the voice of his first wife, cultural activist Amy Ashwood Garvey.

Oni Lasana will discuss and present selected poems of both literary and cultural icons. This poetical journey will  be taken with The Legacy of A Nation host, Bro. Ramisous and historian, storyteller, artisan and cultural rennaissance man, Bro. Isaac Maefield of Philadelphia.

More on Lasana; www.OniLasana.com