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1872-1906 Dayton, Ohio
Love of Dunbar 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 Movement in America.
The New York Times
Join us to research, discuss & perform in the Love Of Dunbar community square on Zoom
2nd Fridays of the month in 2024-2025
"Dunbar is our American Shakespeare!"....Oni Lasana
WEEKLY IN 2025
Beginning
JANUARY 16TH ~ THURSDAYS
7 PM ET - 6 PM CT - 5 PM MT - 4 PM PT
This FREE Zoom meetup is a extension of the Brother Dunbar Poetry & Performance Workshop published in Literacy Development in the Storytelling Classroom on Libraries Unlimited Press, and the You Can Do Dunbar, Add Him To Your Repertoire Workshop.
We invite all 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 perform his prose.
Resource website: www.PaulLaurenceDunbar.org
Visit the resource website to discover and bring 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.
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 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. Dunbar is OUR story.
~ 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 ~
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.
~ 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.
~
"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
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.
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.
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
POETRY MONTH 2024
CIRCLE OF LIFE...dawn to dawn
Dunbar is in everyone's life.
Creative Director : Bettye Haskins.
Educator, Storyteller &
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."
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."
Founder, Creative Director
Performing & Teaching Artist
Storyteller, Poet
Philadelphia, PA
~
"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
~
"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
~
"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."
"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
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."
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. “
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."
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."
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."
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".
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."
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."
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."
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....
Educator & Docent
Mt. Rainier, Maryland
RIP
~
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."
If you booked a Love Of Dunbar program, feel free to copy and paste this logo in your promotional materials.
Thank you
"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
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.
We look forward to hearing from you to plan a
program for your school, organization or community.
"We loved the program, it was excellent!"
Caren Hudson, Raleigh, North Carolina
A inside look into Dunbar's legacy.
Dunbar's most loved and recited poem.
Produced by
Bettye Haskins of Baltimore, Maryland
Bowen Lee presents Kamishibai, Japanese theater art of Dunbar's short story poem.
Dunbar wrote in the voices of women. A wife remembers her husband who served in the Civil War.
At our virtual monthly gatherings we utilize the Daily Dunbar website to easily navigate Dunbar's life and poetry.
Thanks to Adam Alonzo of Dayton, Ohio
"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"
© 2024 Oni Lasana Productions
All Rights Reserved
~ THANKS FOR VISITING ~
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