Dana Gilmore

Dana has appeared on seasons 3 and 4 of HBO’s Def Poetry Jam where she received several standing ovations. Her feature performance at Kansas City’s well-renowned Blue Room located in the historic 18th and Vine district was a sold-out show. Today, Dana spends her time traveling across the nation performing at universities and privately owned venues while also working on songs, stage plays, and screenplays.



A self-described, “down-to-earth girl with a dash of diva,” Dana Gilmore can truly stand out in a crowd of modern writers. Gilmore skillfully combines poetic grace with a “sistah-girl” style to create a persona the hearer or reader will not soon forget.



True to her Missouri “Show-me-State” roots, Gilmore’s writings are intended to inspire thought and provoke action. To be sure, she presents them in a form that is rare, yet real. She speaks passionately, yet practically, about life’s adversities, as well as alternatives for dealing with those realities. She states that one of the most profound lessons of her life was when she realized it is okay to just feel. She says “…what matters is how you interpret and react to those feelings.”



More than a gift, writing is a calling for Dana Gilmore. Although, she readily admits that in the beginning, she could not begin to conceive the plans that God had for her. Now she says, “Writing is God’s gift to me, so like a baby, I must protect and nurture my craft and allow it to grow.” She goes on to say, “I find peace in knowing that writing is God’s gift to me and that neither man nor woman can take it away.”



Gilmore’s poetic style is very clear-cut and real. Unquestionably, she speaks not just to be heard but understood. For her, all of life can be interpreted through her poetry. It combines her experiences with those of others. So, whether the occasion calls for a fresh piece tailored to the needs of the hearer or a recitation of one of her classic works, such as Wife, Woman, Friend Parts I and II, she is a well-rehearsed professional who can deliver what she promises. This holds true whether it is an audience of one or one thousand. Dana’s purpose is to deliver a message by sharing freely from her own story.