Sierra Leone chosen as Dayton’s first poet laureate, officials announce

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Sierra Leone will serve as the first poet laureate for the City of Dayton, officials announced Friday in a media event at the Paul Laurence Dunbar House Visitor Center.

“Today, we make history in Dayton as we proudly announce our city’s first-ever Poet Laureate,” said Dayton Mayor Jeffrey J. Mims. “This moment is a testament to the power of words, storytelling, and the vibrant artistic spirit that runs through our community. Poetry has the unique ability to connect us, inspire us, and reflect the heart of our city. We look forward to the ways our Poet Laureate will amplify Dayton’s voices and celebrate our shared stories. Congratulations to Sierra Leone, and may your words continue to uplift and unite us all.”

The poet laureate position was approved by city commissioners in 2024, and applicants were required to live or work in the city and be committed to continuing to do so.

The announcement Friday was by both the city and Culture Works.

Leone, who has roots in Toledo as well as Louisiana, has been at the forefront of urban creative arts and Dayton’s spoken word/poetry scene for more than 20 years.

In 2000 she co-founded Oral Funk Poetry Productions with her husband, Robert Owens Sr. The enduring success of OFP’s off-Broadway flavored “The Signature: A Poetic Medley Show,” which brought Grammy and Tony Award-winning talent to Dayton including Academy Award-winning hip-hop artist Common, allowed the genre to flourish in exciting, unapologetic fashion and attract new audiences in the process.

Leone also co-founded Signature Educational Solutions, furthering her collaborative impulses throughout the city, especially with Levitt Pavilion.

MixedA new mural, with poetry written by Sierra Leone, has been completed at the Levitt Pavilion in Dayton. The poem, “Music Heals on Fifth and Main,” can be read in full on the north side of the building located east of the pavilion. The mural, a combination of bold shapes and bright colors, was designed by Brent Beck and executed by Atalie Gagnet, two local artists. LISA POWELL / STAFF

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About the Author

Russell Florence Jr. is team leader/coordinator of Lifestyles/Dayton.com. He has been an arts/lifestyles reporter for Dayton Daily News since 2012. He formerly served on the Dayton Daily News Community Board of Contributors and assisted the Dayton Daily News Editorial Board. He received his BA in mass communications from Wright State University.