Creative Enrichment Programs

Oni's Signature Poem

Teaching the legacy of Martin Luther Kings Jr.

Her Story on the "I Dreamt, MLK Jr." Poem

On July 10, 1999 James Farmer died, he was a close friend of Martin Luther King Jr. He walked with Dr. King for full freedom of black folks in America. It just so happened as I watched the news of James Farmers death, I was preparing a school show and researching Martin Luther King, Jr's life.

I shared my findings with my teenage son, (who presently serves as an attorney in human rights) who I felt, viewed Dr. King, the way I saw Abraham Lincoln...as history.

In the moment, I couldn't find the words to explained to my son, why Dr. King was such a courageous visionary. How he was a voice for millions, and his voice made a huge difference, even today. What could I do? So I did what I've often done since grade school. When I needed to express what was in my heart, I wrote a poem. In one sitting, the thoughts dropped in my mind, pen to paper.

April - National Poetry Month in USA

IS THIS REALLY A POEM?

Writing down whats on my mind is natural, spirit driven.

My poetry teacher is LIFE.

Academic setting is where I lost my mind - good thing I found it in the street.

Regurgitating egos into alphabets...a total mess

Don't trouble me. I'll write you out in a poem!

For FREE.

What poet makes money? What poet has a career in poetry?

This ain't even rhyming

Marry poetry to music & own your publishing.

I'm a Poet?...maybe...it is free therapy

Cuz even Nikki & Sonia

most every poet who thinks they are a poet

keeps a day jobs.

Rock & Rollin' Uptown Theater

ONI'S SHORT STORY BIO WAS ONE OF 20 WINNERS

THE BENJAMIN FRANKLIN "AUTOBIOGRAPHY PROJECT" WAS A CHALLENGING 300 WORD CONTEST.

ONI'S STORY ABOUT THE UPTOWN THEATER WAS POSTED AT THE BUS STOP SHELTER AT 20TH & WALNUT ST. PHILADELPHIA

To read the story, visit Oni's blog "Adventures In Storyland" at end of this page.

HEAR ONI IN THIS AWARD WINNING BOOK!

LISTEN TO ONI SOLO RAP DUNBAR'S "WE WEAR THE MASK" ON PAGE 56,

ALSO FEATURED WITH NIKKI & VAL GRAY WARD ON PAGE. 54, GWENDOLYN BROOKS, "WE REAL COOL" & MARTIN LUTHER KINGS SPEECH ON PAGE 64.

NIKKI GIOVANNI introduces ONI

PANTENE TOTAL YOU TOUR, ONI RAPS "WE WEAR THE MASK" FOR MC LYTE & AUDIENCE in Philly

SISTER WINGS, SPOKEN WORD SONGS, BASS & BEATS!

INDEPENDENTLY PRODUCED ORIGINAL POEMS SET TO THE BEATS OF SAMORI COLES OF lil drummaboy music, Philadelphia, SOUNDBOY of Coatesville, PA, DENNIS THOMPSON of Jamaica & ONI'S on BASS GUITAR.

FEATURING: WHY I WRITE, LOVE MUST FALL, OUT OF THE PHYSICAL, ALL THAT, ANOTHER WOMAN THANG, HIGHER EDUCATION, I DREAMT, MLK JR.

AVAILABLE FOR DOWNLOAD @ CDBABY.COM

ANOTHER WOMAN THANG

ONI'S STATEMENT POEM ON THE POWER OF WOMANHOOD, IS PUBLISHED IN THIS BOOK OF SHORT STORIES AND POEMS, FOR WOMAN, EDITED BY DEBRA POWELL-WRIGHT

IN THE COMPANY OF POETS

Philly's First & Finest Female Spoken Word Ensemble

L-R: DEBRA POWELL-WRIGHT ~ ONI LASANA ~ PAT MCLEAN ~ NISH PUGH @ AFRICAN AMERICAN MUSEUM OF PHILADELPHIA

Oni Lasana Productions