Welcome to The Love Of Dunbar Collective

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL 

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PROGRAM 1  

Pre-K - 3rd grades

Theme: At Home

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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"

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

MIDDLE SCHOOL - UNIVERSITY

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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

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

In our 4th Annual Tribute Memorial Program 2024 

We were delighted to share our favorite poems.

Creative Director: 

Oni Lasana

Circa 1800 in America.

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

Meet a mother like no other.

Educator, Storyteller & 

Creative Director

Baltimore, MD

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"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." 

Storyteller, Author & Historical Actor

Killeen, TX

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"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."

 Founder, Creative Director

Performing & Teaching Artist 

Storyteller, Poet
Philadelphia, PA
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"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." 

Poet & Storyteller 

Sacramento, CA

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"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."

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

Philadelphia, PA

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"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."

Artist, Writer & Researcher 

Philadelphia, PA

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"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."  

 Narrative Artist

Bulbancha aka 

New Orleans, LA

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

Shakespeare should be so honored. “

Storyteller

Amherst, OH

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"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."

Storyteller 

Texas

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"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." 

Motivational Speaker, Author, Actor

Seattle, WA

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"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."

Educator, Video Editor

Storyteller

Carryduff, Ireland

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"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". 

Educator & Storyteller

Cleveland, Ohio 

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

Visual & Teaching  Artist & Storyteller

Moss Landing, CA

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 "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." 

Educator & Storyteller

Cleveland, Ohio

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"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." 

Educator & Docent

Mt. Rainier, Maryland

RIP  

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Our beloved Jody had a genuine and natural delivery of Dunbar's southern poetry. (look for Jody on our YouTube Channel, Love Of Dunbar)

 We miss Jody's love of Dunbar.  Jody shared her feelings 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."