Today we’d like to introduce you to Lauren Doriahna.
Lauren, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I’m a poet, storyteller, event host, and teen mentor. My journey with poetry began in childhood. I would spend endless hours in the library with my parents strolling through the lanes of books, and poetry books became one of my favorite genres. Poetry works out the entire inner being. It sharpens our wit, pulls our emotions and twists our perspectives.
The first time I performed my poetry in front of a crowd was in 2005, at the Magic Johnson’s Starbucks located on Cascade Road, in Atlanta. I haven’t looked back since that performance, and now I’ve hosted dozens of poetry events. I’ve been featured on television spots, produced and co-hosted a monthly poetry radio segment on WRFG “The Ridin Durty Show” hosted by DJVicXL 89.3 FM and been featured at numerous open mics and festivals.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
It has been a smooth road. I told myself when it stops being fun I will retire and that has yet to happen. My prayer life is very strong, and GOD keeps blessing me with opportunity after opportunity. My goal is to change perspectives in a positive way through my poetry, which is often centered on social change or societal issues. For instance, I have a signature piece called Bleach, which is about loving your skin tone. It describes the angst that people around the world have suffered, due to colorism, specifically against people with darker skin tones. Skin bleaching has become a popular epidemic in Jamaica, Africa, India, Korea, and America. It has horrible side effects such as cancer and people often end up with a very unnatural looking skin tone. The poem is a cry to people to stop bleaching their beautiful skin and to fall in love with it.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Lauren Doriahna – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
I moved to Atlanta in the early 90’s. I joined the Magnet Drama department, at the prestigious performing arts high school, Tri-Cities, which nurtured my writing and performing abilities. I was in the program at the same time as the greats such as Kandi Burrus from the R&B group Xscape and Real Housewives, Kenan Thompson from SNL and Saycon Sengbloh who has been in numerous Broadway productions. I love Tri-Cities the program pushed me to my limits as a performer. Later, I received my Bachelors in English from Emory University.
My writing style cannot be placed in any one genre. I perform social, comedic and love poetry and I’m a storyteller. I am a regular performance poet in the affluent artist scene in Atlanta, GA. I have also performed in several states including: Chicago, IL, Alabama, Tennessee, South Carolina, Seattle, California, Louisiana, Texas, and Red Hook, NY. I also have a 501C3 nonprofit for teens ages 13-18 called Teens Igniting Change Association Inc, which provides educational and artistic opportunities for teens. I started the nonprofit in 2011 and we have been going stronger and bigger ever since.
Currently, I am sponsored by the Atlanta Fulton Public Library to teach monthly poetry workshops to the general public, at the Ponce De Leon Library branch.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Right now, I’m working on my second poetry album to debut in August. I also have a EP out called “Despite Imperfection.” I love performing poetry, and I don’t think I’ll be stopping anytime in the immediate future. The opportunities I’m seeking now include performing at festivals and branding my own platform for poetry called Lyrics 180. Lyrics 180 will include workshops, my own podcast, an online tv show, and live shows. It is my baby that I have been working on for quite some time and it will be fully released to the public in a matter of months.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.laurendoriahna.com
- Email: lauren.doriahna@gmail.com
Getting in touch: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
