Opal Palmer Adisa

Opal Palmer Adisa is a celebrated writer with seven books to her credit, is a literary critic, a compassionate teacher, an accomplished storyteller and gifted diversity trainer. Born in Jamaica, her most recent poetry collection is Caribbean Passion. Her book of poetry, Tamarind and Mango Women, won the 1992 American Book Award and her novel, It Begins With Tears, was recommended in Great Books for High School Kids: A Teacher’s Guide to Books that Can Change Teens Lives.

Adisa's readings and talks speak in a lush, strong, down-to-earth language, the musical Jamaican dialect conveying fresh imagery and cultural metaphors. Her interests lie in the literature and culture of the English-speaking Caribbean, employing the griot tradition to involve listeners, and transforming them into active participants in her performance. The former artistic director of Watoto Wa Kuumba, a Bay Area children’s group, Adisa brings with her a rich tradition of the Caribbean, along with tales from Africa and the African American experience.

Adisa is also a renowned educator in the area of diversity work, and her workshops examine racism, sexism, homophobia and internalized oppression using literature as a springboard to explore and probe these learned behaviors. She has conducted trainings with the National Coalition Building Institute, Stir Fry Productions and the National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education. Adisa also does workshops on writing and on issues of parenting, hosting a regular show on the topic at Pacific Radio station KPFA.