Power of the Tongue

February - Black History Month Performance

"Power of The Tongue" is an educational, inspirational, and versatile, multi-purposed lyceum, performance or Coffee House presentation. Enjoyed by audiences of all ages, the "flawless" presentation can be utilized for Kwanzaa programs, MLK celebrations, Black History, Women's History and National Poetry Month programs.

February - Power of the Tongue - Black History Month Performance

Power of the Tongue provides a historical journey and time-line of the major periods in Black History. With an overview of the periods: pre -post slave era, the Harlem Renassaince, Great epression, Black Power and Civil Rights Movements into more contemporary times the show is rooted in poems, monologues, prose pieces, soliloquies and other classic literary favorites. Music and historic video footage, and costume changes, unless otherwise noted, undergird all presentations. Works performed include "Upon Being Brought From Africa to America" - Phyllis Wheatley, " The Prodigal Son" - James Weldon Johnson, " I, Too, Sing America " - Langston Hughes, " W.E.B. and Booker T " - Dudley Randall, " I am a Black" - Gwendolyn Brooks, " For My People" - Margaret Walker Alexander, " What Shall I Tell My Children Who Are Black" - Margaret Taylor Burroughs , "Still I Rise" - Maya Angelou, "Improvisations" - Sonia Sanchez, " Southern Hospitality" - Nichole L. Shields, "Strange Fruit" - Billie Holiday and original works by the performance poet herself.

Question and answer session follows the performance.

Classroom Guide w/ Worksheet

Promotional Posters (Includes Event Sponsor, Time, Date, etc..)

Available Upon Request: No Extra Charges Apply

Also Available:

Class Visit to African American, American, Third World Literature or Creative Writing

Post-Performance Question and Answer Segment

Listed rates are negotiable.

*Special Spring 2011 Honorarium-$3,000 plus accommodations

( pleae mention any other promottions during call)

Note: House Requirements: Stage and Professional Lighting w/ Spotlight

Technical Requirements: LCD Projector w/Audio & DVD; screen; and body & cordless mic.

Ge'ylah is a one - of - a - kind lyceum speaker for all educational occasions. If you seek a dynamic performance for your conference, Kwanzaa performance or program, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. celebration or Women's History program, please feel free to inquire about "Power of the Tongue". The dramatic performances, costume changes, video footage and artistry is sure to be a memorable event that will leave your audience inspired.

Power of the Tongue:

A One-Woman Show

Featuring Performance Poet Ge'ylah

A tribute to the oral tradition, Black History and Black literature rolled into one, " Power of the Tongue" is a 75-minute multi - media performance anchored in poems, prose pieces, soliloquies, monologues and other classic literary favorites. Costume changes, music and historic video footage undergird performance.

Promotional Posters and Classroom Guide are available at no extra cost.

Fee Range: Under $5,000 (all fees are negotiable

"Thankyou so much for presenting your Power of the Tongue performance in Bemidiji. everybody who was there absolutely loved it. Your work was so powerful and moving that I know many people, myself included will never look at history the same way again."

Tracy Niggins, Cultural Arts Chair

Hobson Union Programming Board

Bemidiji State Univ.

"I never heard a more beautiful presentation of Margaret Burroughs',

'What Shall I tell My Children Who Are Black.'"

— Gwendolyn Brooks, Poet Laureate

"I couldn't have picked a better more appropriate way to kick-off Black History Month than with Power of the Tongue."

—Belinda J,. Carr, Director

Gwendolyn Brooks Cultural Center

Western Illinois University

ABCC/ NACA Member

"You, [Ge'ylah] have a gift people wish they had. Use it, share it and give it back to others. "

— Susan L. Taylor

Essence Magazine

" I believe every student here at Miles was Impacted by your workshops, your presence & your performance here today. It was a valuable experience for them"

—Dr. Bernice Core-Cobb Sterling, Miles College