Poeticallyours...Terri Durden

You can expect to be...awakened on various current affairs, cultural topics, life struggles/issues. You will be educated, motivated and uplifted. As well as being inspired by the many ways in which Terri weaves the threads of life in between the lines of her poems.

Meet Terri A. Durden:
(Poet/Playwright/Photographer) Lover of Life…with an Entrepreneur spirit! Mother of four, grandmother, community activist and mentor to anyone needing guidance. “I strive daily to be the best that I can be…so that I can help others to be the best that they can be.”

As A Poet/Performer:
Terri is a Consciousness Poet…who uses the voice of an African American Woman to speak to all people about issues of Universal importance that are most often ignored by our TV/Drama society. She has written several Plays including a production that was performed at the world famous “Fulton Opera House”. The play entitled “Our People Are Going Up In Smoke” a play on the overwhelming epidemic of Crack-Cocaine that has plagued our nation. Toured Pennsylvania youth and correctional and drug rehabilitation institutions. She has performed in many as well as she has written/ directed/choreographed plays and dance/poetry numbers for community organizations, Churches, Schools, Colleges and Universities…such as Franklin and Marshall College, Millersville University, Penns-Landing Philadelphia, PA. The Serengeti Café’ and Jazz Club New Jersey…with many performances in New Jersey, Northern California. Lancaster, West Chester, York, Harrisburg, Reading and Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Current Judge for “Lancaster Youth Poet Laureate” through a partnership between “Lancaster Community Foundation” and “The Mix at Arbor Place”. Terri is the Author of 3 books of poetry with a new collection Released in 2016 entitled: “Word-Sounds Echoing” The Poetic Ramblings, and Photography of: Terri A. Durden. Terri has been working on a Fact-based Fiction about Michael Jackson as well.

Related Experience:
15 year Roster Artist through the Pennsylvania Council on the arts partners program, through Millersville University. With over 20 years of experience working in the community as a youth advocate, instructing African American/Hispanic History workshops and Tourism for Churches, Schools/Colleges and other Community Organizations. Instructing School-aged children 5th grade to College-aged young adults on topics in Drama, Historical Re-enactment, Theatrical Spoken-word Performance, Building self-esteem through Poetry and other forms of artistic expression. Founded a non-profit organization “Tribute at Freedom’s Crossing Inc.” which offered Underground Railroad Tours, African American Landmarks and Heritage Tourism. With a vision of celebrating African American ancestry…by documenting the names of enslaved persons from Louisiana to Canada in hopes of one day being able to erect a monument for our ancestors lest they be forgotten. She is passionate, about…opening the eyes of everyone, everywhere helping them to see the tragic effects this epidemic of violence and murder has on communities worldwide. Terri loves educating all People everywhere about their history/culture…for the future of our future generations. Now in it's second year...Terri was offered a Motivational Speaking/Poetry Reading contract through the Pennsylvania State Prison Board. Her presentation for the inmates at SCI Muncy Prison…was very well received with a standing ovation and request to return as a Poetry workshop instructor for the inmates. She has been a featured Poet for numerous events including: “Eyes Wide Shut” a tribute film to those that had lost their lives in the Iraqi War; the shoes of those 19,000 victims were placed on the lawn at F&M College the impact of the lives lost was understood, the project well received. An extra in the Film “Beloved” Produced by: Harpo Productions Company. Videographer for WITF “Our Town” Columbia, PA. (Retracing the path of the Underground Railroad). Three year featured Poet on WFNM Radio; featured Poet at Penns Landing, Philadelphia’s Celebration of Culture. She was featured poet for Mayor Gray’s inauguration in Lancaster, PA. As well as performing for the Black History Celebration at Pennsylvania State Capitol. In addition, she has had the pleasure of performing with well-known artist such as Jill Scott, The Twin Poets of HBO’s Def Poetry, Flowmentalz and formally Quiet Rage now Vision Poet of Russell Simmons Def Poetry. Her talents have led her many wonderful places…and to meet and dine with great artist such as Nikki Giovanni, Saul Williams, BeBe More-Campbell, August Wilson, and Angela Davis. She recently met The Mothers of Trayvon Martin and Michael Brown…which are currently in talks with them about a quilt project to feature the two young Men. She was contracted to write the “Underground Railroad” Tour guide script for Lancaster’s “Visitors Bureau”. In 2009 she signed a 1 year contract to produce a heritage preservation program entitled “Tribute 24/7” for TAP TV. A public broadcast station located in Lompoc, California.
Mentor:
• Providing mentoring and assistance to students enrolled in after school programs and continuing education programs. Individualized coordination of constructive leisure time activities. Coaching/uplifting/inspiring our youth.

Terri Durden, has created a program…to push forward the youth’s creative talents and give them exposure as well. Her program “Photo-Word-Art” is now in use at The Mix at Arbor Place…the “Photo-Word-Art” program…is instructing youth in a Photography workshop, where they take to the streets and shoot pictures of what their community looks like to them, through the lens of their cameras. Then turning those photos into greeting card and a Photography book…and their photos end result to be set up gallery-style and presented to their families and community members in a reception at the completion of the program. Most recently...Terri was interviewed live on "The Voice" of Harrisburg a Cultural Talk Show...geared toward educating, uplifting and inspiring all people.

Terri says: "Always remember...to leave the residue of your spirit...glittering about the souls of others".