Imani Tolliver

Imani Tolliver (she/her) is an award-winning poet, librettist, artist, educator, and producer. She is the author of Runaway: A Memoir in Verse, published by World Stage Press. As part of LA Opera’s 2023/24 season, Imani’s debut libretto, Fire and Blue Sky, made its world premiere at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

She is a graduate of Howard University, where she received the John J. Wright Literary Award, served as Poet Laureate for the Watts Towers Arts Center, and was awarded literary fellowships from the Cave Canem Foundation, the Lannan Foundation, and George Washington University.

Imani received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition from the U.S. House of Representatives for her work as the Cultural & Fine Arts Supervisor for the City of Buena Park and a Certificate of Recognition from the City of Los Angeles for her work as a promoter, host, and publicist in support of the literary arts in Southern California.

Rooted in social justice, Imani has curated and produced a wide portfolio of arts and cultural programming that celebrates, reflects, and amplifies the voices of diverse communities. These programs have included art festivals, poetry readings, concerts, community theater, youth theater, and special events for large municipalities in Southern California.