Welcome to The Love Of Dunbar Collective

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 ~

• 1. 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.

• 2. 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

• 3. October & November 2022  virtually presented the Brother Dunbar Poetry and Performance Workshop for the Sunlight Village, Dayton, Ohio : Creative Director & Facilitator : Oni Lasana

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

• 5. February 9, 2023 : 3rd Annual Remembering Dunbar 2023 presented his most loved  poetry and short stories. Creative Director: Oni Lasana

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

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

• 8. February 9, 2024 : 4th Annual Remembering Dunbar. Dunbar's life in prose. Creative Director : Oni Lasana

• 9. April 28, 2024 : National Poetry Month, Circle Of Life...from dawn to dawn. Reminisce on how your life is found in Dunbar's poetry. Creative & Artistic  Director : Bettye Holt-Haskins

• 10. 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 

• 11. JUNE 14, 2024 : JUNETEENTH...Plantation to Liberation -The Love of Dunbar Collective presents Dunbar's poetic tributes to events leading up to Juneteenth. 

Creative Director & Tech : Oni Lasana

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

• 13. FEBRUARY 23, 2025 : 5th ANNUAL REMEMBERING DUNBAR : Discovering Dunbar Series : Keep A Pluggin' Away Pt. 1 : Creative Director : Bettye Holt-Haskins

• 14. JUNE 29, 2025 : THE CHANGE HAS COME ...DUNBAR LIVES! A reader theater on Dunbar's divinely inspired spoken word poetry on his life. Creative Director: Oni Lasana & Artistic Director : Bettye Holt-Haskin

 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.

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~ 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.

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