EDUCATOR
Imani Cezanne's creative writing and professional development workshops translate high-level literary and educational insight into accessible, transformative learning experiences.
Imani
has 15 years of education and arts administration experience, most recently serving as Director of Education at The Wallis Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. Designing and facilitating dynamic learning experiences for students, educators, and artists across the country, Imani creates experiences for a range of audiences. Working in K–12 schools, universities, conferences and community spaces, Imani leads workshops, residencies, and performances that center poetry as both creative practice and critical learning. Imani's curricula are thoughtfully designed to meet the specific goals, age groups, and cultural contexts of each institution she partners with.
With a strong foundation in both pedagogy and artistic practice, Imani develops lesson plans, long-term residencies, and interdisciplinary programming that help students build voice, confidence, and critical thinking skills. Imani also leads professional development for K–12 educators, arts administrators and Teaching Artists, offering practical strategies for teaching literacy, performance and critical thinking in engaging and sustainable ways.
Across all settings, Imani's work is grounded in the belief that poetry is a powerful tool for connection, reflection, and transformation.
Pam Kotska,
Former CEO All Raise
"Imani was my favorite highlight from our 2018 summit and she did not dissapoint this year. Our audience lit up with love for the feelings she invoked in each of us individually and collectively. Imani is an inspiration and I am so thankful that we could work with her again."
Lorena Landeros,
Executive Director Performing Arts Workshop
As the Director of Programs, I have worked closely with Imani and experienced first hand her commitment and dedication to serving the most marginalized people in our community. Imani's teaching skills and artistry make her an invaluable asset to the greater Bay Area community.
Gina Kim,
Student Georgetown University
Seeing Imani Cezanne perform at the Nuyorican in 2013 gave me chills. Working with her as a coach in 2015 changed my writing entirely. She pushed me to treat poetry as serious work, sharpening both my craft and my discipline in ways I hadn’t experienced before. Under her guidance, my poems and my understanding of what it means to commit to the work, completely transformed.
