BY PAUL JUNOR
It is hard to believe that it has been almost thirty years now since Dwayne Morgan, writer, speaker, performer, educator, event producer, and social entrepreneur has been dazzling Toronto audiences. From the early years when he performed at Founders College at York University to his performances all over North America, the Caribbean, and Europe he continues to leave the audience spell-bound.
The Scarborough-born multidisciplinary artist who was inducted into the Scarborough Walk of Fame in 2013 for his outstanding work as a writer, speaker, and producer has left an indelible mark all over the world. From those humble beginnings in 1993, he started his own production company Up From The Roots while he was still in high school. He has gone on to produce and organize numerous events over the years. His annual When Brothers Speak and When Sisters Speak are the longest spoken word events of their kind in North America, and the Toronto International Poetry Slam is Canada’s largest international poetry Slam competition.
As a writer, he has written nine titles with his last one titled, “Everyday Excellence.” He is a motivational speaker who speaks to youth across the Greater Toronto Area on contemporary issues that are relevant to their lived social realities. As a social critic of the media, he constantly challenges stereotypes and misrepresentations of Blackness in mainstream media. One of the greatest accomplishments of his artistic journey was when he opened for former President of the United States, Barack Obama on January 23rd, 2020.
Among his numerous awards, accolades, and recognitions over the years, one that will definitely stand out is the Celebration of Cultural Life Award from the Toronto Arts Foundation. Dwayne made this announcement on The Official Dwayne Morgan FaceBook page that he won $10,000 for this award. In his acceptance speech, he recalled how he started 29 years ago and that many doors were closed in his face. He recalls, “I was told that what I did wasn’t real poetry, that there was no audience for the way that I wrote and the stories that I was telling. I learned quickly, that sometimes the door that opportunity knocks on, has to be built by yourself.”
He goes on further to describe what he had to do to ensure that his artistic expression received total validation. He writes, “I wanted no one else who looked like me to feel the same rejection and marginalization that I felt, so I’ve spent my entire career creating opportunities for my peers and those who come after me.” He concludes, “Today, I graciously accept this award on behalf of all those artists who never quit despite others not seeing their light to all of those who’ve shared my stages, worked with me, pushed me, supported me, and validated me.”
Check him out at:
Website: dwaynemorgan.ca
Facebook: theofficialdwaynemorganpage
Twitter: dwayne_morgan
YouTube: dthepoet
