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Welcome to The Love Of Dunbar Collective

Welcome to The Love Of Dunbar Collective

Welcome to The Love Of Dunbar Collective

Welcome to The Love Of Dunbar Collective

Welcome to The Love Of Dunbar Collective

Welcome to The Love Of Dunbar Collective

"I know why the caged bird sings"...Paul Laurence Dunbar

Author : Poet : Activist : Literary Humanitarian

Paul Laurence Dunbar

1872-1906

Dayton, Ohio


The Love of Dunbar Collective is a international collective of Educators, Poets, Storytellers and everyday people who enjoy Dunbar's literary history.


We meet on Zoom to research, discuss his life, and perform the poetry and folktales of America's Shakespeare and Father of The Spoken Word Movem

"Dunbar is a true singer of people"


New York Times

Discover Dunbar! Monthly, Weekly & Special Programs!

Dunbar lives on in every reader.

The Love of Dunbar Collective will share lesser known poems on the ups and downs of Dunbar's life. Poetic musings on a higher power that guided his life, love, health and career struggles.

register here for June 29th only

Monthly : Uplifting His Legacy!

Join us to research, discuss & perform with The Love Of Dunbar Collective Artists on Zoom

2nd Fridays of the month in 2025

REGISTER HERE FOR OUR monthly adventure!

Weekly : Freestylin' Dunbar!

THURSDAYS
7 PM ET - 6 PM CT - 5 PM MT - 4 PM PT


This FREE Zoom  meetup is a extension of Oni Lasana's Brother Dunbar Poetry & Performance Workshop published in Literacy Development in the Storytelling Classroom on Libraries Unlimited Press, and You Can Do Dunbar, Add Him To Your Repertoire Workshop.  

We invite artists, educators, poetry lovers and history buffs who are curious about what makes Dunbar worthy of a Pulitzer Prize in Literature.

 It also serves English Teachers on creative ways to teach Dunbar's poetry and for storytelling artists to consciously perform his prose. 


Resource website: www.PaulLaurenceDunbar.org


Visit the resource website to discover a poem that strikes your fancy. Write down and bring the name of the poem (s) you find to this meetup for a lively educational Interactive experience.

*!* register here for weekly inspiration *!*

A Discovering Dunbar Series

KEEP A-PLUGGIN' AWAY  - PT 1

Dunbar's self-motivational poem Keep A-Pluggin' Away is our theme. Meet the people in Paul's life who knew and loved him. 

Creative Director: Bettye Holt-Haskin


Remembering Dunbar Portrait 

Dunbar Oak & Ivy (c) 1996 Reginald Harmon



Live in Tobago!

 Experience a mother like no other as "Lias'  Mother tells poetic stories of family and friends during the 1800's in America.

In the beautiful Ann Mitchell-Gift Auditorium 

learn more

Who & Why Dunbar?

Paul Laurence Dunbar was born to Joshua and Matilda Dunbar, former enslaved Africans in America on June 27, 1872. From the age of 16 to 33, he published 12 books of poetry, four novels, four books of short stories, news articles and wrote lyrics for Broadway musicals.


Dunbar published more than any African American writer before 1950. Paul was an assistant to freedom fighter and abolitionist Frederick Douglas, who hailed him as "The poet laureate of the Negro race and one of "his boys." 


In 1975 Dunbar's portrait was featured on a United States postage stamp. In 2022, #Dunbar150 - the United States Government issued a Paul Laurence Dunbar Commemorative Gold Coin and his image is also offered on driver's license plates in the state of Ohio. 


It is our opinion, Dunbar is worthy of a Pulitzer Prize, as many schools, streets and buildings are named in honor of his literary excellence and trailblazing voice. However, today some of these schools and places view Dunbar as history and may find little time to honor the significance and depth of his works. 


~ THE LOVE OF DUNBAR ARTISTS ~


Recognize and hold in high esteem Dunbar's legacy in American Literature, History and Culture. Some of us have grown up listening to Dunbar from our parents or teachers, while others have recently discovered his genius.


In February of 2022, many participated in Oni Lasana Productions, 

virtual workshop, "You Can Do Dunbar! Add Him To Your Repertoire!" 

presented by Story Crossroads, Inc. & Artists Standing Strong Together, Inc. 


Since March 2022, we have gathered as the LOVE OF DUNBAR COLLECTIVE in a virtual meetup to research, discuss, recite, rehearse and give voice to his spoken word poetry, exploring short stories and his life.

 

We welcome special guest speakers, scholars, authors, experts and poetry lovers to learn, recite, share knowledge and antidotes about the literary works and life of Paul Dunbar with us. 


~ VIRTUAL PRESENTATIONS ON ZOOM ~


  • FEBRUARY 28, 2021 1st Annual Remembering Dunbar, at the  request of former director of the Dunbar House, Mrs. LaVerne Sci, Oni Lasana organized and produced a virtual tribute.  Featured; Mitch Capel, Charlotte Blake Alston, Margaret Booze, A. Slate, Reginald Harmon, Dylan Pritchett, Prof. Joanne Braxton, Ralph Moon, LaVerne Sci  and Oni Lasana. 

 

  •  June 11, 2022 produced and presented VOICES OF DUNBAR! a virtual montage of Dunbar's spoken words and songs to rave reviews. Sponsored by Story Crossroads, Inc. and Artists Standing Strong Together, Inc. 

Artistic/Creative Director : Oni Lasana

 

  • October & November 2022  virtually presented the Brother Dunbar Poetry and Performance Workshop, The Sunlight Village, Dayton, Ohio :  Artistic/Creative Director: Oni Lasana


  • December 31, 2022  presented "Winter Through The Eyes Of Dunbar" for the 3rd Annual Artists Standing Strong Together Story Blowout : Artistic/Creative Director : Oni Lasana


  • February 9, 2023 : 3rd Annual Remembering Dunbar 2023 presented a tribute featuring poetry and short stories. Artistic/Creative Director: Oni Lasana

 

  • June 15, 2023 : Dunbar! City to Country, presented a connection to the great migration of African Americans from the south to the north. Artistic/Creative Director: Oni Lasana


  • December 31, 2023 : Dunbar In Love virtually presented our favorite well known and unknown love poems. 4th Annual Artists Standing Strong Together, Story Blowout. Artistic/Creative Director: Oni Lasana.


  • February 9, 2024 : 4th Annual Remembering Dunbar. Artistic/Creative Director : Oni Lasana


  • April 28, 2024 : National Poetry Month, Circle Of Life...from dawn to dawn. Reminisce on your life story in Dunbar's spoken words. Artistic/Creative Director : Bettye Holt-Haskins


  • MAY 10, 2024 : Oni Lasana Doin' Dunbar as 'Lias' Mother a widow tells stories of family and friends during the 1800's Civil War era. A Oni Lasana Production 


  • JUNE 14, 2024 : JUNETEENTH...plantation to liberation -The Love of Dunbar Collective presents Dunbar's poetic tributes to events leading up to Juneteenth. Artistic/Creative Director : Oni Lasana


  • 'DECEMBER 31, 2024 : FREESTYLIN' DUNBAR! with 5th Annual Artists Standing Strong Together STORY BLOWOUT Artistic/Creative Director: Oni Lasana


  • FEBRUARY 23, 2025 : 5th ANNUAL REMEMBERING DUNBAR : Discovering Dunbar Series : Keep A Pluggin' Away Pt. 1 : 

Artistic/Creative Director : Bettye Holt-Haskins


 LOVE OF DUNBAR PROGRAM OFFERINGS 

(keep scrolling to see program descriptions)


DUNBAR'S YOUTH 

Elementary School


VOICES OF DUNBAR

Middle Schools to Seniors

 

CUSTOM THEMES

Circle Of Life, Activism, Civil War, Love, Nature, Historical Figures , Juneteenth and more. 


Our programs assisted in promoting Dunbar's 150th Anniversary #Dunbar150, and continue to share the timeless beauty 

and diversity of his prose for youth and adults.


Our mission is to educate, entertain and foster appreciation for Dunbar's life, spoken word poetry, prose and folktales to a new generation, while continuing to delight longtime fans of Dunbar.


~ THE LOVE OF DUNBAR EXPERIENCE ~

Virtually on ZOOM


This is how we do it....

 Dramatically ~ Educationally ~  Joyfully ~ Interactively ~ Musically


Our programs comply with the National Standard Curriculum NCTE: 1,2,3, 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12 and we offer a Teacher’s Aide for Elementary & Middle Schools.

HISTORY: African American / Irish / Civil War Era

 LITERARY ARTS: Unique use of Southern & Northern vernacular

MUSIC: Selected prose arranged to Country, Jazz, R&B, Calypso & Hip Hop. 


What makes Dunbar so unique is his conversational spoken word (Shakespearean style) with voices of youth, women and men; also, the use of personification in animals and nature such as tree's speaking etc.


~ YOU ARE INVITED ~


To engage us to present a virtual groundbreaking Literary Arts, American History and musical experience. We will enrich your curriculum and enhance your community with A Love Of Dunbar program.  


 Our offerings of his spoken words and stories, reflect on our past, appreciate our present connections and envision a future of cultural consciousness. 

Yes! It is our hope that Dunbar's works will lead you to discover his rich inclusiveness of human thoughts and feelings. 


A Love of Dunbar enrichment program will no doubt encourage

your students and community to write and wax poetic. It will inspired them to present his works and or create prose and short stories from their own  experiences.


HEADS UP!

While some of Dunbar's southern writings used during his lifetime is obsolete and often offensive, WE seek to elevate.


HOW WE DO DUNBAR?


We, the LOVE OF DUNBAR COLLECTIVE consciously embrace creative license by substituting offensive words and descriptions common in Dunbar's day, with positive vernacular to reflect the dignity and respect of today.

 ~

Paul's Feelings

 *!*  *!*

 "I hope there is something worthy in my writings and not merely the novelty of a Black face associated with the power to rhyme that has attracted attention." Paul Laurence Dunbar

*!* *!* *!*

VIDEO BIO SHORT 

@  LOD's  YOUTUBE CHANNEL

DUNBAR! A

 LITERARY TRAILBLAZER

Produced 

by

Bettye Holt-Haskins

Baltimore, Maryland

*!*

PBS DOCUMENTARY ON DUNBAR

BEYOND THE MASK

Produced by 

Professor Frederick Lewis 

of 

Ohio University








"I am a new Dunbar fan and I liked the enthusiasm the Love of Dunbar artists had for his works. Voices of  Dunbar program made me want to learn more." 

 B. Rogers, Educator & Storyteller - Philadelphia, PA

Program Offerings & Love of Dunbar Artists

Dunbar Youth Program

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 

~

PROGRAM 1  

Pre-K - 3rd grades

Theme: At Home

~

In The Morning

When De Corn Pone's Hot

Opportunity

A Grievance

A Cabin Tale

The Boogah Man 

Sandman & Johnny Speaks

& more!


 PROGRAM 2 

4-5th Grades

Theme: Outdoor Adventures


The Capture

Wadin' In De Crick

 Till The Wind Get Right

Disappointed

The Seedling 

Winters Approach

Keep A Pluggin' Away

Sympathy aka "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings"

~ ~ ~

Poetry from programs 1 & 2 can be combined within time limitations.

Voices Of Dunbar

MIDDLE SCHOOL - UNIVERSITY

~

Sympathy aka "I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings" - A interactive rap/song

Dreams 

Vagrants 

Angelina 

The Haunted Oak 

We Wear The Mask

The Corn Stalk Fiddle 

When Malindy Sings 

Encouragement  

Circumstances Alter Cases 

Made To Order Smile

 A Negro Love Song 

At Sunset Time 

A Virginia Reel

~ ~ ~

 We can also customize a program from these listed poems to suit your theme.  

Historical Tributes

UNIVERSITY - SENIORS

~

Whistlin' Sam

Ode To Ethiopia

Abraham Lincoln

Harriet Beecher Stowe

When Dey 'Listed Colored Soldiers

An Ante-Bellum Sermon

John Boyle O'Reilly

When Malindy Sings

Frederick Douglas

The Colored Soldiers

Robert Gould Shaw

How Lucy Backslid

The Party, a Juneteenth Celebration

~ ~ ~

 SPECIAL THEMES 

Lyrics of Love & Laughter

Country &  City Folks

Civil War & Freedom 

A Dunbar Juneteenth 

watch juneteenth program

Remembering Dunbar 2024

In our 4th Annual Tribute Memorial Program 2024 

We were delighted to share our favorite poems.

Creative Director: 

Oni Lasana

Watch on youtube

Circle of Life, Dawn to Dawn

Circle of Life, Dawn to Dawn

POETRY MONTH 2024

CIRCLE OF LIFE...dawn to dawn

Dunbar is in everyone's life.

Creative Director : Bettye Haskins. 




Watch on youtube

'Lias' Mother

Circle of Life, Dawn to Dawn

Circa 1800 in America.

Southern prose is featured in a one-woman interactive play. 

Meet a mother like no other.

watch on youtube

Oni Lasana

 Founder, Artistic/Creative Director

Performing & Teaching Artist 

Storyteller, Poet
Philadelphia, PA & Tobago
~
"Dunbar is my main muse, I love the drama, humor and pathos of his spoken words, especially the southern voices. His self-reflection and insight into human nature is timeless.
Dunbar's creative historical reach and literary range touches the heart of all humanity, no matter race, creed or age." 

Bettye Holt-Haskins

Educator, Researcher,  

Storyteller & Artistic/Creative Director

Baltimore, MD

~

"Dunbar's works are not only entertaining, they contain many layers of complexity that always have you asking "what does that mean?"  

It is the search for those meanings that keep Dunbar alive for me." 


Nashid Ali

Storyteller, Musician, Radio Personality, aka Pop Pop Grow Somethin' 

Philadelphia, PA

~

"I was introduced to Dunbar's poetry during my early years at Walton Elementary School, by a beloved HBCU Cheyney University educated teacher, Ms. A. Foster. We loved to hear Ms. Foster with her perfectly pronounced dialect and additional commentary.

Today, I regard Paul Laurence Dunbar the great grandfather of the ever evolving Black Literacy Revolution. Write on."

Nzinga El~Asele

Poet & Storyteller 

Sacramento, CA

~

"I feel like Dunbar gives us the magic of poetry as well as its versatility. He paints pictures with his words. 

I find lost melodies, images, characters.  

His metaphors I adore. Justice and injustice and different world views.

He makes me laugh, think and dream."




Ron Carter

Storyteller, Author & Historical Actor

Killeen, TX

~

"For me it is both a pleasure and privilege being a part of the journey that shares the works of Paul Laurence Dunbar. His works are an uplift and wonderfulness to enjoy with others and an endeavor to experience to its fullness."


Beyond The Mask 2025

"Paul Laurence Dunbar: Beyond the Mask" is a documentary about the life  and legacy of the first African American poet to earn national fame.  Born to former slaves in Dayton, Ohio, Dunbar also wrote short stories,  novels and hard hitting essays critical of Jim  Crow laws and lynching. 

Professor Lewis gave us permission to share with you here and also look for it at your local PBS TV station. 


Check out short video's on Dunbar below.


Watch it here

 "This was such an invigorating way to experience poetry as well as being so easily accessible due to the zoom format. Amazing stuff, can’t wait for more!! 

Simon Gibson, Ireland

Donna Marie Kuczynski

Storyteller

Amherst, OH

~ 

"A man of such sensitivity and compassion  Paul Laurence Dunbar could feel the pain of a perfect stranger and put into words that which would be soothing to him and yet allow for another to empathize. He had a wicked sense of humor and found joy in the smallest of God given gifts."


Peadar Murphy

Educator, Video Editor

Storyteller

Carryduff, Ireland

~ 

"My first encounter with PLD was a workshop I chanced on in with Oni Lasana.  The poems “We wear the Mask” and “Sympathy” took my breath away and touched my soul. As an Irishman my ancestry is very different from Dunbar, but I still felt a sort of kinship with those who had been so badly violated". 






Bowen Lee

Visual & Teaching  Artist & Storyteller

Moss Landing, CA

~

 "I am blown away by the depth and scope and beauty of Paul Laurence Dunbar’s work. His words must be spoken out loud to fully appreciate their mastery. He is an inspiration and mentor to us all on the power of words." 

Judy Bateman

Educator & Storyteller

Cleveland, Ohio 

~

"The words of Dunbar open the mind and heart and even send you soul searching.  Sometimes those words bring laughter and tears together."


Timeless

 Narrative Artist

Bulbancha aka 

New Orleans, LA

~ 

“Dunbar has been called the Shakespeare of America. He gives voice to a people.

Shakespeare should be so honored. “


Ashabi Rich

 

Artist, Writer & Researcher 

Philadelphia, PA

~

"Sculpting the mood by his insightful bend of mind, Dunbar had a method of constructing his writing so as to choreograph the intentional interpretation of his compositions. 

Reading and listening to Dunbar's work expands my life historically, emotionally and intellectually."  

Viveca Deanes

Storyteller 

Texas

~ 

"I have a deep appreciation for the honor, dignity, and beauty Paul Laurence Dunbar gives in his poetry. His sharing of African-American culture and to the deep southern dialect once spoken by my maternal grandmother, Alice." 


Karol V. Brown

Motivational Speaker, Author, Actor

Seattle, WA

~

"I have been reciting his poetry since I was a child. I was born and raised in Dayton, Ohio, and my mother was a volunteer at the Dunbar House, To be able to keep Paul Laurence Dunbar’s poetry and stories alive is also keeping my history and memories alive."

Wanda Owens

Educator & Storyteller

Cleveland, Ohio

~

"He was a man ahead of his time and much of what he wrote, still applies to what we are experiencing today.  

I find him to be a inspiration." 


Adam Alonzo

 
We were pleased to welcome Adam Alonzo of Dayton, Ohio and the creator of the www.Paul Laurence Du

Educator & Researcher

Dayton, Ohio

~

We are grateful for the hard work and diligence of Adam Alonzo who created the Daily Dunbar website. We enjoyed his visit with us as he shared his love of Dunbar.

~ ~ ~

If YOU are a Dunbar scholar or fan and have time to visit to share your expertise,  don't hesitate....

contact us

Jody Fitterer

Educator & Docent

Mt. Rainier, Maryland

RIP  

~

Our beloved Jody had a genuine and natural delivery of Dunbar's southern poetry. 

  Jody shared on discovering Dunbar's works. 

 "Dunbar's poetry helped me see American history and literature in a brand new light. The tragedy of slavery and his overcoming prejudices in his day, is a great example of overcoming for everyone, young and old.

Dunbar works should be extensively studied in all schools curriculum's."


Opportunity read by Jody

Love of Dunbar Logo

If you booked a Love Of Dunbar program, feel free to copy and paste this logo in your promotional materials.

Thank you




Contact us

 "I learned a lot about Dunbar. Even though he passed at the early age of 33, he created a treasure trove from his life as a Black American. Long live Paul L. Dunbar!"

Nashid Ali, WURD Radio Griot/Storyteller, Philadelphia, PA

Honorarium?

We are a benevolent collective whose mission and purpose is to educate and entertain a new generation on the brilliance of Paul Laurence Dunbar's rich literary legacy. 


Please contact us at the form below to receive our letter of introduction

 and more information on a honorarium for a custom program within your budget. 

We look forward to hearing from you to plan a virtual 

program for your school, organization or community.


 "We loved the program, it was excellent!"  

Caren Hudson, Raleigh, North Carolina 

Video's on Dunbar

Elementary School

Middle Schools

LaVerne Sci, Dunbar Historian

A inside look into Dunbar's legacy.

In The Morning

 Dunbar's most loved and recited poem. 


A Literary Trailblazer

Produced by

Bettye Haskins of Baltimore, Maryland


Disappointed

Bowen Lee presents Kamishibai, Japanese theater art of Dunbar's short story poem. 

Dunbar Juneteenth 2024

Dunbar wrote in the voices of women. A woman remembers her husband who served in the Civil War.


Love Of Dunbar's Official Resource Guide

At our virtual monthly & weekly gatherings we utilize the Daily Dunbar website to navigate Dunbar's life and poetry. 

Thanks to Adam Alonzo of Dayton, Ohio  

You can discover Dunbar too!

DAILY DUNBAR

Encouraged by Paul Laurence Dunbar

"Because you love me I have much achieved,
Had you despised me then I must have failed,
But since I knew you trusted and believed
I could not disappoint you and so prevailed"

Check out! Love Of Dunbar on Page 51 of the 

 STORY BEAST STORYTELLING E-Zine

Wright University Dunbar Book Collections

Visit Here

Connect with The Love Of Dunbar Collective

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