Louis Porter II

Louis Porter II is a published writer in many areas, including memoir, poetry and journalism. His short story, “Reminders,” won Ebony Magazine’s Gertrude Johnson Williams Literary Award. His work has appeared in the Star Tribune’s Faith & Values section. He has also been awarded a fellowship to attend the international symposium, “American Literary History in a New Key” in Salzburg, Austria where he will join other writers and educators to explore the increasing diversity of voices being heard, studied and critiqued. In addition to presenting his own work at coffeehouses and bookstores throughout the region, Louis has performed with several theater companies and enjoys helping students present their work. A longtime educator, Louis has conducted workshops and classes in a variety of settings, from elementary school through college. He believes there are few things more powerful for young people than telling their own stories and he uses memoir, poetry and performance to help them do so.

Workshop Description

The workshop with Teaching Artist Louis Porter II will use Hannibal Lokumbe’s piece In The Spirit of Being as a jumping off point for the students’ own self-exploration and self-expression through poetry or memoir. The day begins with students hearing some of Porter’s work and a brief discussion of what it means to be a writer. Then, following a writing prompt, students produce their own work. Students will then share their writing and have an opportunity for feedback from Porter. Time-permitting, participants will be coached on performance techniques that will help them take presentation of their work to the next level.

To Prepare Students

• Students should study the “Profile – Hannibal Lokumbe: Touching Lives Through Music and Education” on p. 66 of the WITNESS Teacher Resource Guide
• Have students complete the activity “Words of Life: The Poetry of Langston Hughes” on p. 85