Imani Pumoja Collection Event

A celebration of the remarkable teaching career of Imani Pumoja, whose work across local schools and youth foundations left a lasting impact on generations of learners. The program will feature reflections from former colleagues and students, a presentation highlighting her contributions to early education, and a special segment from special guests.  

About
Imani Pamoja (Elizabeth Ann Malone) 1947-2018, was a graduate of Lincoln High School and Bishop College with a double major of Biology and English with a minor in Political Science. She was a poet, an outstanding educator, and celebrated for her civic involvement which began in the 1970’s with the Black Arts Movement, the Peace Movement, and the African Liberation Movement. Her involvement was also felt in Block Partnerships, Volunteers in Service to America, the Urban League, the Greater Dallas Community Relations Commission, and the Council of Churches.

Her teaching career touched many lives at the Lincoln Humanities/Communications Magnet, the Government and Law Magnet, the Business & Management Center Magnet, T.W. Browne, and El Centro College.  She also conducted ‘Creative Writing Workshops’ at the African American Museum of Dallas, the South Dallas Cultural Center, and a number elementary schools.

Recognized as a peacemaker filled with compassion toward all, she inspired young people to write and investigate their heritage. Her students have won numerous writing awards in poetry, essay, play, and graphic design in the past for almost twenty years. A number of her students, who were a mere eight and nine years old when she first worked with them, have gone into the writing and publishing field.

An internationally recognized poet, she explored the heartbeat of humanity through such universal themes of love, mistrust, family, death, fear, and peace. She has read her poetry locally, nationally, and internationally.

She won numerous awards in the field of writing and education, including recognition from the Dallas Independent School District for ‘Outstanding Teacher of the year' and ‘Outstanding service to the Lincoln Athletic Department,’ as well as ‘Outstanding Achievement in Poetry' by the International Society of Poets.

“Words can destroy a mind or destroy an entire civilization. Words can also help, inspire, and build friendships and positive actions.... Words can create wars or design a world of peace.”

Dallas Public Library programs are free and open to the public. To request accommodation, call 214-670-7809.