Dralandra Larkins

Dralandra is an award-winning spoken word poet, teaching artist, storyteller, and co-editor of Cracked Walnut’s anthology “Rewilding Hope, 2023” and Hansel-Cabello's "The Nations Underground: Writing with Our Ancestors 2024" based in Minneapolis. Her work has been recognized in the Minnesota Women’s Press, The Edge Magazine, Insight News, Witness Writers, The Agates and other anthologies. 

Her spoken word performances weave together words, rhythm, and intimacy to create a haven for healing, advocacy, and self-discovery for those seeking solace, empowerment, and connection. She has graced numerous stages with her captivating storytelling and performances, leaving audiences spellbound and inspired. She's collaborated and competed on platforms including Button Poetry, NAACP, Mill City Museum, MN State Capitol, Minnesota Black Authors Expo, the MN Black Business Ball Enterprise, TruArtSpeaks, Artstart, KFAI Radio, MN Public Radio, Modist Brewing, Poets & Pints, and others. She invites her audience to confront their own traumas and find strength in vulnerability. Her work is rooted in the art of healing, spirituality, community, self-love and liberation. Poetry serves as a form of therapeutic release for herself but also for those who listen to her words.

Her impact goes beyond the stage. 

She has taught youth and adult poetry classes with The Loft, Hennepin County, The Big Brothers Big Sisters Program, Semilla Center for Healing, and the University of MN Outreach Center (UROC). She is also a teaching artist at Now Make Art where she encourages youth to use art as playtime. Click Workshop tab to learn more.

Dralandra also serves as a judge for the Minnesota Book Awards, and she is the Program Coordinator with The Friends of St. Paul Library where she organizes author reading series including Club Book, Moving Words, and Fireside Reading Series.

She is a 2023 MN State Arts Board grant recipient and the innovator of the Pocket Poetry Dispenser at Next Chapter Booksellers.