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Copyright 2004 Diane M. Lockett email:dianemlockett48@yahoo.com ( 313) 580-4121 Webmaster Cane River Media
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Diane M. Lockett |
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About the Author Diane M. Lockett is an educator and a prolific writer (of books, jingles, and over 300 poems). Affectionately nicknamed “the Food Poetess” and “Big Mama” (for her moving performance of “Big Mama’s Watching You!”) Diane is a vocalist and performing artist who makes poetry and storytelling come alive! Motivating others as she promotes literacy is her specialty. A native New Yorker, she graduated with honors from the City University of New York (with an A.A. degree in Economics, B.A. in Business Education, and an M.S. in Education). In 1968, she was honored to become a member of Kappa Delta Pi Honor Society in Education. Professor Lockett has taught on the college level in New York City and in Dearborn, Michigan for over 22 years (at the Borough of Manhattan College of the City University of New York and Davenport University in Dearborn, Michigan). Prior to her retirement from teaching in the Detroit Public Schools in 2005, Diane received the Golden Apple Award of Merit for Outstanding Teacher of the Year (from MetroParent Magazine in 1995, Michigan). In addition, she received an award and a Certificate of Appreciation from Davenport University (Dearborn, Michigan Campus) for “15 years of dedication, loyalty and commitment” (1999). Currently she spends her time promoting literacy in workshops and performances throughout the country. Motivating children to write is her specialty. Diane’s poem, “Black Man, You Can” won a Distinguished Works Award in the 12th Annual Paul Laurence Dunbar Poetry Contest (1998), which was sponsored by the Detroit Writer’s Guild. Diane (also known as “The Food Poetess”) has had several delectable poems featured in Food for the Spirit (A Black History Cookbook) by the Detroit Writer’s Guild. In addition, since 1999, a number of businesses have commissioned her poetic expertise for commercials and jingles that aired on the radio. Diane has been featured on the web site of the Detroit Writer’s Guild (www.detroitwritersguild.com). Several poems have been published by the Famous Poet’s Society and can be read over the internet (www.poetry.com). One of her poems, “Feelings”, was published in Rainstorms and Rainbows by the International Library of Poetry. In addition, she has been selected as a featured poet in Michigan’s “Talking Walls” project, which displayed her poem, “Brotherhood”, on a prominent wall in Detroit (2001). Diane’s poem, “Lo, I Am With You Always” was published in Poetry Gems 2000 by the Famous Poets Society (2001). Recognizing the need for multi-cultural diversity in children’s literature, Diane has done something new and exciting with an old fable. Everyone has heard the story about the Gingerbread Man. Now meet GB, a gingerbread boy. There’s something different in the mix that springs this gingerbread boy to life to meet the perils of the hood in an action-paced adventure (The Adventures of GB, A Gingerbread Boy). This is a story about hope at a time when hope is dwindling. Written for teenagers and the young at heart, GB comes alive on the pages of a young adult chapter book. This in-depth character has feelings, issues and aspirations as he perseveres to face the challenges of life and rejection in a world of diversity. GB is presented in a children’s coloring book (Part I), a musical CD (containing 10 songs), an activity book, an open-ended play, and young adult fiction (expanded version of the story—10 chapters). This book also contains activities to motivate today’s youth across the curriculum. Diane loves to perform for people of all ages and has poems and stories for every occasion. Consequently, she has been featured in venues across the nation. Her performance invokes audience participation in singing, call and response. A dynamic performer, Diane engages participants in songs and tasks that are interactive and that bring characters and culture to life. She offers workshops/ residencies in poetry-writing/reading skills. All programs and workshops are individually designed to meet the needs and interests of museums, schools, festivals, libraries, camps and organizations.
About The Artist / Illustrator Dr. Amorie Alexia Robinson is also known by her African name, K. Afua Adoma. She is a native Detroiter and graduate of Highland Park High School. While an undergraduate at Oberlin College, she created her own coloring book entitled, Color Right On! Her style of cartooning was inspired as a child when she and her brother read Archie comics. In fact, for her high school newspaper she created her own characters, which were all Black. She has done cartooning for children’s books and coloring books for Tanline and the Detroit Black Writer’s Guild. Her first coloring book was endorsed by the Michigan Association of Black Psychologists. Publishers have included Beulah Tumpkin’s Foresight Service Center and Agascha Productions. The artist has her doctorate in Clinical Psychology from the University of Michigan and serves as both a psychologist and community activist in Detroit. Her hobbies are playing the violin, African drumming, designing greeting cards, camping, playing tennis, and attending WNBA games.
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