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484.885.0153

Signed in as:

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Welcome to Love Of Dunbar!

Welcome to Love Of Dunbar!

Welcome to Love Of Dunbar!

Welcome to Love Of Dunbar!

Welcome to Love Of Dunbar!

Welcome to Love Of Dunbar!

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

Paul Laurence Dunbar

1872-1906  Dayton, Ohio


Love of Dunbar is a international collective of Educators, Poets, Storytellers and everyday people.

We meet on zoom to research, discuss and perform the poetry and folktales of America's Shakespeare, Father of The Spoken Word Movement, Poet, Author and Literary Humanitarian. 

"Dunbar is a true singer of all people"


The New York Times

Why Dunbar?

Paul Laurence Dunbar was born 150 years ago to Joshua and Matilda Dunbar, former enslaved Africans in America. From the age of 16 he published 12 books of poetry, four novels, four books of short stories and wrote lyrics for theater. 


Dunbar published more than any African American writer before 1950. Dunbar was an assistant to freedom fighter and abolitionist  Frederick Douglas, who hailed Dunbar 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. 


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 are not aware of 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. We have grown up listening to Dunbar, while others have recently discovered his genius.


In February of 2022, we 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 gather weekly in the LOVE OF DUNBAR a virtual meetup to research, discuss, recite, rehearse and perform his works. We welcome special guest speakers and anyone who appreciates, is curious or desires to learn and share the literary works and life of Paul Dunbar.


~ PRESENTATIONS ~


  •  June 11, 2022 we 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. https://www.artistsstandingstrongtogether.net/ 


  • October & November 2022 we presented virtually for the Brother Dunbar Spoken Word Workshop for Sunlight Village of Dayton, Ohio


  • December 31, 2022  presented "Winter Through The Eyes Of Dunbar" for Artists Standing Strong Together STORY BLOWOUT #3 


  • February 9, 2023 : Remembering Dunbar 2023 a memorial tribute featured poetry and short stories  (see our Love Of Dunbar You Tube Channel ) 

 

  • June 15, 2023 : Dunbar ! City to Country a connection to the migration after Juneteenth. 


~ LOVE OF DUNBAR PROGRAMS ~

(keep scrolling to see program descriptions)


DUNBAR'S YOUTH 

Elementary School


VOICES OF DUNBAR

Middle Schools to Seniors

 

CUSTOM THEMES

Activism, Civil War, Love, Nature and Historical Figures 


Our programs assisted in spreading the word on Dunbar's 150th Anniversary #Dunbar150, and continue to share the timeless beauty and diversity of his prose and poetic short stories with youth and adults.


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


~ 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 welcome us in presenting 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 DO WE DO IT?


We, the LOVE OF DUNBAR ARTISTS consciously embrace creative license by substituting negative words and descriptions with positive vernacular to reflect the dignity and respect of today's society.

 ~

You are welcome to join in for the...

Uplifting his legacy!

Research, Discussions & Performance Meetup 

2nd Fridays of the month Beginning Oct. 13, 2023

Join the adventure

~ Feedback & Kudos ~

"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 Programs

Dunbar Youth Programs

Dunbar Youth Programs

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

Dunbar Youth Programs

Dunbar Youth Programs

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 Figures

Dunbar Youth Programs

Historical Figures

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

Recent Tribute

Winter Tribute 2023

Historical Figures

Our Artists

Winter Tribute 2023

Winter Tribute 2023

Winter Tribute 2023

Featured in Artists Standing Strong Story Blowout 2022

"Winter Through the Eyes Of Dunbar" Dunbar's tribute poems to the winter season. 

A series of southern and northern poems from Dunbar's childhood and adult musings. 



Nzinga El~Asele

Winter Tribute 2023

Winter Tribute 2023

Poet & Storyteller 

 Philadelphia, PA

~

"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."




Judy Bateman

Bettye Haskins

Jody Fitterer

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."


Jody Fitterer

Bettye Haskins

Jody Fitterer

Educator & Docent

Mt. Rainier, Maryland  

~

"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."


Bettye Haskins

Bettye Haskins

Bettye Haskins

Educator & Storyteller

Baltimore, Maryland

~

"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." 


 "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 aka Pop Pop Grow Sumtin',  WURD Radio Personality ,  Upper Darby, PA

Donna Marie Kuczynski

Donna Marie Kuczynski

Donna Marie Kuczynski

Storyteller

Amherst, Ohio

~ 

"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."


Oni Lasana

Donna Marie Kuczynski

Donna Marie Kuczynski

LOD Coordinator

Performing & Teaching Artist, Storyteller & Poet

Philadelphia, PA

~

"Dunbar is my main muse, I love the drama, humor and pathos of his genius. Though he wrote over a 125 years ago, his love, 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." 

Bowen Lee

Donna Marie Kuczynski

Marilyn McPhie

Visual & Teaching  Artist & Storyteller

Moss Landing, California

~

 "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." 

Marilyn McPhie

Gail Weaver Mello

Marilyn McPhie

Storyteller

San Diego, California

~

 "My mother's mother went to college in the early years of the last century, majoring in elocution. One of her favorite recitations - which always made me smile -- was Dunbar's poem "When Angelina Johnson comes a-swingin' down the line." 




Marin Magat

Gail Weaver Mello

Gail Weaver Mello

Storyteller

Portland, Maine

~

"Dunbar wrote more than a century ago, yet when I recite "the Mask" I find myself in tears uncovering layer after layer of what applies to us now, after 2 years of our first pandemic.  But also in the way we, as a culture, still wear a mask to fit in and survive.. yet how much we ache to be rid of it."




Gail Weaver Mello

Gail Weaver Mello

Gail Weaver Mello

Storyteller & Writer

Rimrock, Arizona

~

 "The poetry and writing of Paul Laurence Dunbar are for everyone - young and old, all nationalities and races. Funny poems, serious poems, poems about love, life and loss. There is a depth to his work that shows he had wisdom beyond his years. Poems written over 100 years ago transcend time and touch my heart today." 

Peadar Murphy

Peadar Murphy

Peadar Murphy

Educator & Storyteller

Carryduff, Ireland

~

"In the workshop, I was immediately captivated with  “We wear the Mask” and “Sympathy” it touched my heart and soul. 

As an Irishman, I feel a  kinship or empathy with those who had been so mis-treated. 

The more I learn about the poet and his work, the more I admire both." 

Ralph Moon

Peadar Murphy

Peadar Murphy

Educator

Cincinnati, Ohio

~

"I love presenting Dunbar recitations because I am privileged to keep alive the great memory and talent of a prolific Black Man."

Wanda Owens

Peadar Murphy

Wanda Owens

Educator & Storyteller

Cleveland, Ohio

~

"Dunbar once wrote  

"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"

His work must be shared."  

Ashabi Rich

Welcome Special Guest

Wanda Owens

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."  

Love of Dunbar Logo

Welcome Special Guest

Welcome Special Guest

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

Thank you

Welcome Special Guest

Welcome Special Guest

Welcome Special Guest

We were pleased to welcome Adam Alonzo of Dayton, Ohio and the creator of the Paul Laurence Dunbar .org website. 

Adam, Thank you for visiting with us and sharing the love of Dunbar. 


If YOU are a Dunbar scholar or fan and have time to visit please contact us.

here

~ Feedback & Kudos ~

 "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

Honorarium?

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

 

Please contact us at the form below to receive our letter of introduction and more information.


We look forward to hearing from you to plan a 

program for your school, organization and community.


 "We loved it, it was excellent!"  

Caren Hudson, Raleigh, North Carolina 

Video's on Dunbar and his spoken words.

Elementary School

Middle Schools

Mrs. LaVerne Sci, Dunbar Historian

A inside look into Dunbar's legacy.

In The Morning

 Dunbar's most loved and recited poem. 


Encouragement

Josie Bailey presents one of Dunbar's southern love poems. 


Disappointed

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

The Seedling

Marilyn McPhie presents how the little seed from the poem Disappointed grew.

Wright University Archives

Explore here

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"

~ Feedback & Kudos & more!~

"Wow! His poetry is the bomb.com!"

Jennifer A. - Wilmington, Delaware


Check out! 

LOVE OF DUNBAR! STORY BEAST STORYTELLING ARTICLE 

Life ~ Poetry ~ Stories

@

PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR.ORG

Visit Here

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All Rights Reserved


    

  • WELCOME
  • The STORYTELLER
  • AUNTI ONI
  • STORY VILLAGE LIVE
  • LOVE OF DUNBAR
  • LOL 4 REAL!
  • PODCASTS
  • WORKSHOPS
  • APPEARANCES
  • INTERVIEWS
  • APPLAUSE
  • ABOUT ONI

~ THANKS FOR VISITING ~