Born in Honolulu, Hawaii in 1981 and raised in Nairobi, Kenya from the age of 11, Imani is a woman of diverse talents. She is a spoken word poet, performer, teacher, radio presenter, author, music producer, recording artist, model, and mother. As a young entrepreneur, Imani began the company Imani Ink. in 2004, as well as The Amplified Tongues Spoken Word Collective, both of which use the art form of Spoken Word Poetry to empower youth communities throughout the world. In March 2006, with a degree in Audio Production and Engineering from The Institute of Production and Recording in Minneapolis, MN, USA Imani produced and released her debut album, Morning Rain as well as published her first book of poems under the same title. In 2009, she released her second book and album, Pearls.
Imani has delivered multiple performances and workshops at festivals, schools, and universities across the globe. With the ability to move diverse audiences, she was chosen to perform at the United Nations World Urban Forum 3 in Vancouver BC in 2006, as well as featuring as an MC/artist at Africa’s leading underground Hip Hop arts platform, WAPI (Words and Pictures) on several occasions. Over the past 10 years, she has had extensive experience working with youth as a mentor and teacher both in and beyond school systems, and has worked to create several platforms for young people to excel on, including Slam Africa, setting the stage for African spoken word artists. Imani has written, directed, and produced three successful theatre performances including Poetic Identity, Morning Rain, and Internal Imani.
Imani has illuminated stages in cities across the globe: Nairobi, Chicago, Amsterdam, London, Paris, Bangkok, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Salvador da Bahia (Brazil) and New York City; including the legendary Nuyorican Poets Café where she held the stage as a featured poet in 2006. She also worked as an editor for the magazine, QZ, where she ran the prolific monthly column "Word". Imani has worked as a radio presenter at Nairobi’s top radio station, Capital FM, for over three years where she produced and presented the popular World Groove Show, featuring world music artists.
She is currently working to create Spoken Word platforms for youth in Africa....
I met Katrina the other day in my home state of Mississippi. Been here on the Gulf coast since Sunday. As we drove down Biloxi streets eyeballing the aftermath of Katrina still almost 3 years later I began to well up in sadness. The hairs on my arms stood up as I felt myself getting angry. Angry that I didnt do whatever it took to get down here sooner and help, give a hand to someone that needed it, help build a house, or for God sakes just sit and be a listening ear for some of these children that want so desperately to just tell their story. 'You're here now' a small voice echoes from some unknown place inside my head. 'You're here now." But what really...can any of us that descend from our homes, cars, and lives of comfort...offer. I don't have the answer. In fact, as I facilitated a discussion at the Biloxi community center yesterday with locals and city officials ...I realized mid way through that all I could offer were more questions. Yet another suggestion to the list of 100 they already had. And suddenly my body felt helpless. I felt like crying but held it together because I feared that they would all look at me and say 'What are you crying for, you don't even live here.' Helplessness is such an awful emotion isnt it? As we embark on the last day here I can't help but wonder how/when/ I can come back and what can I do. The answer may be in the word...the spoken and creative word I've come to love so much over the years. Come back and help the children/and elders/and mamas/ and papas/ just write their stories/ sing their songs and maybe ...just maybe that will do some good.
I started a little poem on my page's blog. I wont post here as this is already too long...just wanted to share with some folks I know will understand. Luv Sha
Hey Lovely, I am so Proud of You and Grateful to be in your Circle. Talked to your Mom Saturday..She Gave me a copy of your CD and Told me about your Travels Thank For The Shout Out. Imani Is Doing Well. One Love, Gregg
love , so sweet so real as a directive to meet flow and flo'ology , we need to be loved like sweet cream pouring on from the nothingness of blue sky into the bottomless hole of unknowingness and uncertainity and impotence and inside this shall we discover new errands and new tunes to the love that we can loose in abysses of life, flowing back up into our lives in intricate style whatever it be whoever he be, whatever shape it takes whatever smile or frown it fakes,-find love tonight, -
