Work-Art-Activism History
1993-94
Intern at New Stage Theatre Jackson, Mississippi. Member of the Young Acting Company. Training included an intense study of the State of Mississippi and its wealth of acclaimed writers. Traveled through the sate performing in schools K-12 public and private. Produced and performed an intern project for the main stage of the theatre, "Sister Sonji" by Sonia Sanchez. Invited by Senator John Horhn to a luncheon honoring Sidney Poitier and Harry Belafonte, which marked my introduction to the work of the Algebra Project and the Civil Rights Struggle in Mississippi.
1994-95
Taught at Mary HolmesJunior College, West Point Ms. Began performing poetry by other writers and writing poetry to heal from trauma.
1995-96
Started Sisterlove Productions in Jackson, MS (now She Prophecy Entertainment), as a small arts organization to promote the arts and positive artists in the black community. Focused on uplifting and empowering black women and teaching from a black perspective. Worked as Project Assistant to the coordinator of the Farish Street Heritage Festival, Substitute Teacher and Receptionist/Counselor at a Women's Clinic. Performed poetry at special events. Created the character "The Poet Warrior" after reading a quote by Maulana Karenga that stated, " we must make warriors out of our poets and writers because literature conditions the mind". This marked the beginning of the Poet Warriors Tour of Duty.
1997
Studied with the Rosa & Raymond Parks Institute for Self Development by traveling on a bus with 35 others, mostly ages 11-17, retracing the Underground Railroad and studying the national Civil Rights Movement. Prior to leaving for the trip, opened a concert for Patti Labelle performing original poetry before a sold house of 2500 people. Was active in the public school system through the West Jackson Community Development Corporation's work in Jim Hill High School, Blackburn Middle School and others. The bus tour ended tragically when the bus ran off a cliff and crashed into a river. That event was the catalyst for writings moving into more political and spiritual themes.
1998
Began hosting a weekly open mic poetry set called Southern Vibes (now Mississippi Vibes). Began working as head facilitator for the Young People's Project Reading & Writing Workshop, the youth initiative of the Algebra Project. Began developing the concepts for the D. Ciphers Workshop.
1999
Began working for the Algebra Project as Project Assistant, handling the logistics, scheduling and bookings for Robert P. Moses, Founder of the Algebra Project, Civil Rights Pioneer and Organizer. This position gave insight into organizing youth through the arts by forming the REC (Radical Equations cast), a group of young people who bring to life, through drama, the meaning of art and activism by performing excerpts of Bob Moses and Charles Cobb Jr.'s book Radical Equations, Math Literacy and Civil Rights.
2001
Incorporated She Prophecy Entertainment, LLC to service the communities of Mississippi by developing consciousness using literary arts to entertain, educate and liberate because "literature conditions the mind." Began conducting the D. Ciphers Language Migration Explorations in reading, Writing and Critical Thinking Workshop internationally and as a pilot program at Lanier High School, Jackson, MS.
2002
Wrote directed and performed the one-woman theatre piece Searching for Ausar. Smith Robertson Museum, Jackson, MS.
Taughtthe All Write! curriculum at the Canton Career Center and the Canton Work Release Program, Canton, MS for the Literacy Program of the Mississippi Arts Commission.
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration Keynote Speaker, Meridian Community College, Meridian, MS.
Organized and facilitated SisterTalkdiscussions, Smith Robertson Museum, Jackson, MS.
2003
Relocated to Indiana to ‘Live the Migration Experience’. Recorded a live CD at the Lafayette Jazz and Blues Festival and in Jackson, MS. Featured artists at the Bridges Across the Arts activity in Lafayette, IN. Member of the Songwriters Association
Performed the Phoenix Theater, the Arts Garden and featured at local poetry venues in Indianapolis. Performed with BLACKBERRY JAM BAND and as featured poet at the Indiana State Museum for their Summer Showcase Series.
2004
Participated in the Cruising into History event sponsored by Mr. Ron Daniels that commemorated the 200 year anniversary of the Haitian Revolution.
2005
Began working as a professional administrator for Purdue University Black Cultural Center in West Lafayette, IN while maintaining relationships with organizations and people in the Deep South. Guest Speaker for the YWCA on the topic of Self Love (February) and Racism in Education (April). Performed at the Indiana State Museum's Legacy Theatre
2006
Participated in the 'Finding Our Folk' tour as a cultural performing artist conducting the D. Ciphers Workshop for Hurricane Katrina Survivors that have been displaced throughout the southern United States. Performed at the Indiana State Museum's Legacy Theatre. Participated in the Highlander Center Homecoming in New Market, TN.
Educational Background
1990
Bachelor of Arts (Speech/Theatre). Louisiana Tech University . Ruston, Louisiana.
1993
Master of Arts Humanities. Grambling State University, Grambling, Louisiana.
Accomplishments/Honors:
Radio personality for WMPR 90.1 FM (Mississippi Cipher & Reggae Jam Session)
Author, "Past Lives, Still Living: Traveling the Pathways to Freedom (Poetry book)
Love & Revolution Underground (cassette tape)
At the End of a Rope in Mississippi (CD) Click here to read the review.
D. Ciphers Workshop Curriculum
Mississippi Arts Commission Touring Artists Roster
Mississippi Humanities Scholar
Author of "Searching for Ausar" one-woman play
Jolivette Live! A Bluesy Funk Life Cycle (CD)
References
Betsy Bradley, Mississippi Museum of Art
Tim Hedgepath, Mississippi Arts Commission
Senator John Horhn, Mississippi State Senate
Anne Johnson, Teacher, Lanier High School
Derrick Johnson, NAACP Voter Registration Organizer
Haki Madhubuti, Owner Third World Press
C. Liegh McInnis, English Department, Jackson State University
Omowale Moses, Director of the Young People's Project
Robert P. Moses, Founder of the Algebra Project
Renee Thomas, Director of Purdue University Black Cultural Center
Tufara Waller Muhammad, The Highlander Research and Education Center
Charles Smith, the ArtsAlliance of Jackson and Hinds County
David Williams, City of Jackson
