Thanks to Visionary Partners
* Poet * Story Artist * Author *
- Youth Advocate
- Podcast Producer
- Short Story Author
- Historical Re-enactor
- Classic & Modern Folktales
- Literary Arts & American History
- Webby Award-Winning Voice Talent
- Certified Laughter Yoga Leader
- Performing & Teaching Artist on the poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar
*Live & Virtual Programs,Workshops & a new book*
Weekly Meetup
Educators, poets, storytellers and poetry lovers show up virtually on ZOOM.
We meet WEEKLY to research and discuss creative ways to teach or perform the spoken words of iconic poet and author, Paul Laurence Dunbar. (1872-1906)
The Collective is available for virtual presentations on ZOOM.
Dunbar is the father of the spoken word movement in America and many poets stand on his shoulders.
Paul Laurence Dunbar was literary humanitarian and voice for human rights.
His poetry transcends time and speaks to all cultures.
Everyone is welcomed.
Book Reading & Discussion
In this art/book/story you will enjoy learning about two of the most beautiful trees in the Caribbean, but especially on the islands of Trinidad & Tobago,
ta da!...
The Palm & The Poui.
Discover how admiration of the gifts we see in others, often leads to self-love.
Watercolor artwork by international artist, Rachael of Artzone Heusner adds a whimsical touch to this imaginative educational story.
Listen to the story on Season 1 Episode 8 of Story Village with Aunti Oni where ever you listen to podcast.
Free S&H in USA.
Story Village Live!
Story Village with Aunti Oni was LIVE at
PLEASE TOUCH MUSEUM
JUNE 19, 2026
11:00 AM & @ 12 & 1:00 PM
*!*Story Village with Aunti Oni, the PODCAST, comes alive in a live or virtual program.
A exciting mix of interactive multi-cultural stories, poetry and songs.
Story Village is home to a soul stirring fun fusion of Aesop, Anansi, Mama Earth, Granny Goose, Dunbar poetry for kids, Ubuntu & more!
*Living Her Stories*
Ona Judge
Oni Lasana brings to life the true story of the courageous Ona Maria Judge Staines (1773-1848)
Ona was born into a slave system that was prevalent in America during the 1700's.
In 1796 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania "Oney" escaped bondage from President George and Martha Washington.
'Lias' Mother
LITERARY ARTS
&
LIVING HISTORY
A inter-active, musical one-woman play of a widow living with her son during the Civil War in America.
A unforgettable storytelling theatrical experience weaves Dunbar's southern prose into a monologue of a day in her life. Telling tales filled with humor and pathos of life, family and friends.
'Lias' Mother is a fictional character from Paul Laurence Dunbar's legendary poem,
"In The Morning."
~ FAMILY FRIENDLY ~
Middle Schools - University & Seniors
'Lias' Mother is a mother like no other!
Harriet Tubman
Since 1995 Oni presents as Harriet Tubman for American Heritage Student Tours, Inc., schools and historical societies throughout the nation.
Telling in Harriet Tubman's own words, as Harriet told her life story to autobiographer, Sarah Bradford.
"Thank you for your riveting performance of Harriet Tubman. We hope you were pleased with the turnout. Your wonderful reputation proceeds you."
William Kashatus, PhD. Chester County Museum and Historical Society.
Always Free!
Presented since 1996, Elias' mother, Mary Ella Grandberry is on a speaking tour. Stories from authentic enslaved African narratives. She tells true stories about her life before and after the Emancipation Proclamation of 1863 in America.
Featuring, The Party, Possum Trot and more spoken words of Paul Laurence Dunbar, and the music of Sweet Honey In The Rock.
"Touching, riveting, historically sound"
*Folktales & Modern Stories*
The Storyteller
MANY MUSES OF ONI LASANA
Featured @ New Jersey Storytelling Guilds Tellabration
Storytelling - Songs - Poetry
1 ST PLACE
The New Jersey Storytelling Network Festival's Story Slam 2016
~
FEATURED TELLER
The National Association of Black Storytellers Festival & Conference
Cincinnati, Ohio 2008
Granny Goose
Take the little ones "Down On the Farm with Granny Goose" with Mother Goose's cousin!
Oni as Granny Goose is full of stories, songs, music & highly interactive fun about country life on the farm.
Highlighting the children's poetry of Paul Laurence Dunbar and more!
Educational fun for preschools to 3rd grades.
! LIVE !
APRIL 19, 2025
SUGAR HILL CHILDREN'S MUSEUM of ART & STORYTELLING
New York City
Read Along Stories
Zoog is pronounced zuuug.
What is it?
Just a brilliant storytelling APP you can access right on any Apple IPhone.
(Android is coming soon:-)
It puts you in the story as you tell fantastic stories with amazing animations to the young ones in your life.
You will be the coolest Grandparent, Mom, Dad, Aunt, Uncle, Brother, Sister or Teacher, as you read Zoog stories, sing songs and crack jokes.
Little ones with parental supervision can learn to read, sing along and send a ZOOG joke, right back acha!
"ZOOGin' is
Interested in a ZOOG workshop? 4 C's
Coolest Crazy Caring way to Communicate with long distance love ones"...Aunti Oni
Interested in a ZOOG workshop for your community?
Dunbar Today!
Iconic Author, Prolific Poet & Professor Nikki Giovanni invited Oni to rap Paul Dunbar's "We Wear The Mask" in this award winning beautifully illustrated audio (CD included) book, Hip-Hop Speaks To Children.
This program is a featured segment from the Brother Dunbar Spoken Word & Performance Workshop.
Hey Aesop!
Original song about Aesop and his fables told with a twist!
With the brilliant students of Agnes Irwin School, Rosemont, PA.
Coached by Oni, the students re-told Aesop fables in their own unique style for the Utopia project.
Yes! Storytellers will also be in our future!
Mama Earth
Oni joyfully embraces her maternal roots from the Coushatta, first people of Louisiana.
Oni as Mama Earth, shares stories for the little one to grow on with songs, music and animal tales.
A loving interactive story experience on the conservation of our beautiful planet earth.
Anansi Time!
Sharing original Anansi songs Aunti Oni re-tells timeless folktales of Anansi the original spider man from Ghana, West Africa.
Photo: Resident storyteller at Miss Marcie's Preparatory Academy, Black Rock, Tobago 2019 & 2020
~ Snowbird Storyteller ~
Tobago Library Services
Healing With Horses, Tobago
Girl Friends
Meet & Greet - Grand Openings - Nursery Rhyme Sing-a-longs & one of a kind photo opportunities with Nyota Kungaa aka "Star Shine" in Swahili.
After a beauty nap, Nyota shows up and shows out with Granny Goose.
Sing-a-longs, photo ops & smiles all around!
*Enrichment & Wellness Workshops*
Story Telling 101
A creative and exciting storytelling workshop for aspiring storytellers who desire personal coaching in the art of storytelling.
Oni's unique system of story learning is rooted in "UBUNTU" (Zulu pronunciation: [ùɓúntʼù], an African Zulu saying means humanity.
"I am because we are"
Oni offers a recommended story book, and information on stor
A creative and exciting storytelling workshop for aspiring storytellers who desire personal coaching in the art of storytelling.
Oni's unique system of story learning is rooted in "UBUNTU" (Zulu pronunciation: [ùɓúntʼù], an African Zulu saying means humanity.
"I am because we are"
Oni offers a recommended story book, and information on storytelling organizations to join. Live and virtual performance secrets.
Enjoy learning how to tell stories from the heart to reach the heart.
Aspire to inspire youth and adults for positive change and personal growth. While you learn to uplift and enrich others as you re-tell stories of universal appeal for fun or profit.
Brother Dunbar!
A poetry and performance workshop for elementary to middle school students. Facilitated by Oni Lasana.
Published in LITERACY DEVELOPMENT IN THE STORYTELLING CLASSROOM on Libraries Unlimited and meets the National Standards NCTE: 1.2.3.4.5.6.8.9.11.12
A one session introduction to Dunbar in classroom or 8 weeks artist-in-residence. Culm
A poetry and performance workshop for elementary to middle school students. Facilitated by Oni Lasana.
Published in LITERACY DEVELOPMENT IN THE STORYTELLING CLASSROOM on Libraries Unlimited and meets the National Standards NCTE: 1.2.3.4.5.6.8.9.11.12
A one session introduction to Dunbar in classroom or 8 weeks artist-in-residence. Culminating in a musical and spoken word production presented by the students.
You Can Do Dunbar!
Story Crossroads, the premier resource for storytellers, artists and story lover, presented the workshop "You Can Do Dunbar! Add Him to Your Repertoire."
A visual interactive introduction to the spoken words of author and poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and how to deliver his poetry for personal enrichment or profit.
Order a personal copy of
Story Crossroads, the premier resource for storytellers, artists and story lover, presented the workshop "You Can Do Dunbar! Add Him to Your Repertoire."
A visual interactive introduction to the spoken words of author and poet Paul Laurence Dunbar and how to deliver his poetry for personal enrichment or profit.
Order a personal copy of the workshop video and printed handout from Story Crossroads.
Laughter Yoga Wellness
In 2017 Oni was certified as a Laughter Yoga Leader in the Dr. Madan Kataria's Laughter Yoga method.
Bring the refreshing JOY of this practice to your organization, school, festival or community.
No floor work or mat needed.
A open mind, fun & creative attitude is required to relieve stress and add happiness, creative imagination and joy into your life and others.
* Say what?
Inner-views
- Sam Payne of The Little Apple Seed Radio Show, Utah
- Healthy Haiku Radio with Dr. Imani Maat, Atlanta, Georgia
- Sounds of Jazz & Poetry with Clay "Big Trigger" Corley, Jr, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Oni Lasana is...
*!* Life by Inspiration *!*
Adventures in community, music, arts and culture.
*!*
Oni sketch by Miles of Coatesville, Pennsylvania