My mission as a creative is to transform spaces into arts spaces where people are inspired to engage more with the information that I have introduced to them through my art. My vision is to impact societal norms where we all begin to understand that creativity and the arts are as necessary to our everyday well-being as foundational knowledge and engagement in math, science, geography, history and daily movement. In fact, all of those areas just mentioned can be experienced through an arts-based lens, creating an interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary experience that activates all areas of the mind and body.
About the Artist
Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, Ed.D served as the second Poet Laureate of Prince George's County, MD from 2023-2025. She is a cultural curator with over 20 years of applied experience transforming places into arts and educational spaces. She is award-winning performance artist Khadijah Moon, and a multi-genre writer who is a producing playwright and filmmaker. Her plays, songs and poetry has been staged, workshopped and read on dozens of stages, including the John F. Kennedy Center's Millennium Stage, the APOLLO Theater, Creative Suitland, National Harbor, ARTSCAPE, The Baltimore Book Festival, and Anacostia Arts Center. Dr. Ali-Coleman is author of the published and forthcoming poetry collections Halos for Heroes, Friends and a Few People I Don't Like (2026), A Park Stands on All of Our Graves (2025), For the Girls Who Do Too Much (2024), The Summoning of Black Joy (2023), the children's book Mariah's Maracas (2018) and co-editor of the book Homeschooling Black Children in the US: Theory, Practice and Popular Culture (2022). Dr. Ali-Coleman is founding director of Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice, a 501(c)3 nonprofit started in 2024. She founded the multidisciplinary arts group Liberated Muse in 2008 and co-founded the national education research group, Black Family Homeschool Educators and Scholars, LLC (BFHES), in 2020, in the midst of the COVID-19 quarantine. BFHES has provided a supportive space for over 3000 families since then, offering annual teach-ins and workshops. She has maintained the youth development blog So Our Youth Aspire since 2006. Dr. Ali-Coleman has been featured in the The Washington Post, USA Today, The Guardian, The Financial Times and more because of her work in arts and education. She has been interviewed by various broadcast media outlets, including NPR, CNN, Slate, and local affiliates of NBC, FOX and CBS. For over 20 years, she has created and led educational programs at numerous institutions, and has taught Communication Studies, Professional Writing and Fine & Performing Arts at different colleges and universities since 2011, including Montgomery College, The University of Maryland, Community College of Baltimore County and Prince George's Community College. She is currently an Associate Professor in the Humanities department at Coppin State University in Baltimore, MD where she is currently based. She is a professional member of The Dramatists Guild, The Recording Academy and the Association of African American Museums. Her plays can be found on the New Play Exchange. She has been awarded grants and fellowships for her writing, performance and teaching from the Maryland State Arts Council, Prince George's Arts and Humanities Council, Watering Hole Poetry, Poets & Writers, Prince George's Community College Foundation, and Northern Virginia Community College. Dr. Ali-Coleman holds a doctorate in education from Morgan State University; a Master of Arts degree in Mass Communication from Towson University; and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (African American Studies and Mass Media) with a minor in Writing from the University of Maryland Baltimore, County (UMBC). She earned a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in the Workplace Certificate from the University of South Florida, Muma College of Business in 2021.Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman website General Website Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman website Music Website Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman website Liberated Muse's Website
Artist's Statement
My creative practice is a call to the people. It is built on the wisdom of iconic freedom fighters, from Ida B. Wells-Barnett and Kwame Ture, to Martin Luther King, Jr. and Paul Robeson. This wisdom has led me to dig deep into my own buried truths. I use realism and humor to engage audiences and convey vivid storytelling. This work is a testimony and a declaration that I am here, that I am witness, that I am doer, and that I have the agency to tell my story. I am the keeper of my own words. Like the choreography of Alvin Ailey, paintings of Jacob Lawrence, and the quilts of Faith Ringgold, my writing imbues my desire to be a keeper of our culture of community, movement building and liberation.Featured Work
Videos
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Mami Wata- Liberated Muse at The Kennedy Center (2019)
See more information about Mami Wata- Liberated Muse at The Kennedy Center (2019)Year: 2019Details: Kennedy Center Millennium Stage Performance -
Liberated Muse: Zora Past the Sun - Millennium Stage (January 20, 2023)
See more information about Liberated Muse: Zora Past the Sun - Millennium Stage (January 20, 2023)Liberated Muse Arts Group presents Zora Past the Sun, a musical and poetic birthday tribute to literary icon Zora Neale Hurston.
Show produced, written and directed by Khadijah Ali-Coleman
Liberated Muse is:
Khadijah Ali-Coleman
Lyn Artope
Colie Aziza
Angela BallardYear: 2023 -
Dr. Khadijah Ali-Coleman's Keynote Address at Prince George's Community College (Fall 2022)
See more information about Dr. Khadijah Ali-Coleman's Keynote Address at Prince George's Community College (Fall 2022)Khadijah Ali-Coleman presents the keynote address during the Fall 2022 New Student Convocation at Prince George's Community CollegeYear: 2022 -
Bunt
See more information about BuntLiberated Muse Arts Group presents their indie short film BUNT, a recent entry in the Washington DC 48 Hour Film Challenge. BUNT is a sports comedy starring Lyn Artope, Susan O'Hara, Timothy Honablew, Khadijah Ali-Coleman, Ben Dawson and introducing Lisette Ruth-Stovall. Written and directed by Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, Score by Ben Dawson, Jr.
BUNT won BEST ORIGINAL SONG award in the 2018 Washington DC 48-Hour Film Project Best Of Awards
The award-winning music was produced by Chez Soleil Music (http://www.chezsoleilmusic.com), a music production partnership between Ben "Beta" Dawson, Jr. and Khadijah "Moon" Ali-Coleman. Listen to music from the film here:
"Manic Ride" https://soundcloud.com/khadijahonline...
"This Is It" https://soundcloud.com/khadijahonline... -
Yo Mister
See more information about Yo MisterYo Mister by Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, presented by Theater Alliance’s reading series for new short plays, Hothouse.
This reading took place in October 2019.Year: 2019 -
BE WHO YOU ARE (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)
See more information about BE WHO YOU ARE (OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO)Be Who You Are by Khadijah Moon
Written by Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman
Music and Production by Ben Dawson for Chez Soleil Music Group (http://www.chezsoleilmusicgroup.com)
From the CD titled SONG OF A SPACE CADET (2016)
BUY THE ALBUM at http://www.KhadijahMoon.com
Video visuals by
Kelly Lacy https://www.pexels.com/video/a-person...
RODNAE Productions https://www.pexels.com/video/a-woman-...
Cottonbro https://www.pexels.com/@cottonbro
Special thanks those who submitted their own photos and signs for inclusion in the video:
DeWayne Alston
Ogbonna Hopkins
Venus Jones
Sumayyiah Talibah
Tanisha Nixon
Sherryle Jackson
Maura Alia Badji
Jennah Wooten and Jamel
Belinda Halstead
Roberta Speight
Taryne Warren
Tracey George
J. ScalesYear: 2018
Music/Audio
Booking
Booking Price: $2,001-$5,000
Public Programs and Events
Presentations, performances and programs featuring Dr. Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman
Some event videos and photos can be viewed on my website at KhadijahAli-Coleman.com
2023
May 1, 2023: Selected as Poet Laureate of Prince George’s County, MD
June 1, 2023-July 1, 2024: NEWSLETTER: Produced monthly newsletter, “From the Desk of the Poet Laureate,” offering updates on arts funding, literary happenings and showcasing local poets and entrepreneurs
June 13, 2023: KEYNOTE: PGC Lynching Memorial Project's 2023 Racial Justice Essay and Creative Arts Contest Award Ceremony, Greenbelt, MD
June 19, 2023: PERFORMANCE: Juneetenth event, National Harbor
August 15, 2023: BOOK TALK: The Summoning of Black Joy, Sankofa Books, Washington DC
October 26, 2023: POETRY SHOWCASE: Poets Day Party, Artstination
November 30, 2023: BOOK READING & ACTIVITY: Visited Chillum Elementary to present a musical activity and reading of my book, Mariah's Maracas, a children's book written in verse.
2024
January 11, 2024: PERFORMANCE/JUDGE: I presented poetry and served as a judge for the Prince George's County Youth Laureate competition through Dialect.
Feb. 1, 2024: PEFORMANCE: Presented poet at unveiling of Langston Hughes statue in Havana, Cuba
February 6, 2024: LITERARY TALK: Remembering the Black Arts Movement Symposium: The Poetry of Amiri Baraka, Oxon Hill Branch Library, PGCMLS
February 7, 2024: LITERARY TALK: Moderated the panel, “Ntozake Shange & the Theater of the Black Arts Movement”, Bowie Branch Library, PGCMLS
Feb. 10, 2024: PERFORMANCE: Presented poetry, literary history and books at the beautiful new Bladensburg library for the Bladensburg mayor's Black History Month program. The event was largely attended by youth. I gave away books as quiz prizes.
Feb. 13, 2024: POETRY SHOWCASE: Presented “The Power of Poetry: Readings by PG County Residents at Largo-Kettering Library hosted by the Prince George’s County Poet Laureate, Khadijah Ali-Coleman”.
Feb. 22, 2024: PERFORMANCE: Wrote, directed and presented, “Voices of Freedom and Resistance” on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage with Liberated Muse.
March 10, 2024: PERFORMANCE: Presented a poem at the March 10 rescheduled Black history program by the City of Laurel.
April 7, 2024: POETRY SHOWCASE: Poets Day Party, Artstination
April 9, 2024: LITERARY TALK: Presented “From US to Cuba: The Friendship of Poets Langston Hughes and Nicolas Guillen”, South Bowie Branch Library
April 16, 2024: MEET YOUR POET LAUREATE, Bowie Branch Library
April 25, 2024: KEYNOTE: Presented poetry and a keynote message during the PGCPS Celebration of Literary Excellence which honored students that have done exciting things in ELA and/or publishing. This took place at the Newton-White Mansion in Bowie, MD. 120 copies of my book, The Summoning of Black Joy, were distributed to students and others in attendance.
May 7, 2024: STARTED THE NONPROFIT Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice, Inc.
June 1, 2024-Sept. 2024: SERIES: Held monthly “Quiet meet-ups” for writers in different Prince George’s County, MD Parks, including Cosca Park, Fort Washington Park, Watkins Park and Allen Pond Park. Featured local poets to welcome and begin meet-up. Invited local poets included Derrick Weston Brown, Ayo Sekai and Khari Dawson.
June 8, 2024: WRITING WORKSHOP: Facilitated the writing workshop, “Writing a Short Play” at DC Public Library as part of their festival, “There’s No Place Like Home: Writing About Place.” 50 participants
June 23, 2024: WRITING WORKSHOP: Facilitated the writing workshop, “Writing for Liberation” at Mahogany Books, National Harbor. 25 participants
June 24-28, 2024: WRITING WORKSHOP: Facilitated the virtual workshop, “Impact Storytelling,” with Common Ground on the Hill, Traditions Week
July 1-December 2024: NEWSLETTER: Produced monthly newsletter, “From the Desk of the Poet Laureate,” offering updates on arts funding, literary happenings and showcasing local poets and entrepreneurs
July 8-12, 2024: YOUTH WRITING PROGRAM: Facilitated the inaugural Black Writers for Peace & Social Justice Youth Media Academy for youth ages 14-18 years-old. Surratts-Clinton Library.
July 15, 2024: PERFORMANCE: Read poetry from my book, The Summoning of Black Joy, Juneteenth event, City of Bowie
July 19, 2024: PERFORMANCE: Read poetry from my book, The Summoning of Black Joy, Juneteenth event, National Harbor
July 19, 2024: PERFORMANCE: Read poetry from my book, The Summoning of Black Joy, Juneteenth event, Fort Washington Business Group, Livingston Rd, Fort Washington, MD
August 10, 2024: Released my book, For the Girls Who Do Too Much.
August 10, 2024: POETRY PERFORMANCE: Presented poetry to students receiving legislative scholarships during a beautiful event presented by Delegate Marvin Holmes and his team. What I didn’t expect was to receive a Maryland Assembly citation from his office. Took place at Bowie State University.
September 8-10, 2024: WRITING RETREAT: Facilitated the writing workshop retreat, “Reiki, Writing and Relaxation for Women 40+” in the Blue Ridge Mountains, VA, in partnership with Pathways Magazine.
September 20, 2024: POETRY PERFORMANCE: Presented a 20-minute reading from The Summoning of Black Joy and For the Girls Who Do Too Much at the 40th anniversary Furious Flower Poetry Center conference at James Madison University. Presentation supported in part by PGHAC Artist Fellowship.
October 10, 2024: AWARD ACCEPTANCE: Presented my poem "Planting" at the UMBC Alumni Ceremony, where I was awarded a 2024 Outstanding Alumni award for my community work, including my role as Prince George’s County, MD Poet Laureate.
October 12, 2024: POETRY SHOWCASE: Presented the third Poets Day Party in partnership with Mema’s Pop Ups, held at Tanger Outlet, National Harbor. Featured poets Alan King, Derrick Weston Brown, Saniya Pearson (Youth Poet Laureate), Colie Aziza, Hoke Glover, Brenda Bunting, and Ife the Artist. Presented as an Arts and Humanities Month program.
October 18, 2024: POETRY PERFORMANCE: Featured poet at Community Advocates for Family & Youth event, “Shattering the Silence: Spoken Word Against Domestic Abuse,” intended to break the silence surrounding domestic violence and create a safe space for healing and empowerment. Busboys and Poets, Hyattsville.
October 23, 2024: POETRY READING AND SIGNING: Featured in a reading of my book For the Girls Who Do Too Much, hosted by the Prince George's County Memorial Library System’s South Bowie branch.
October 26, 2024: COMMUNITY EVENT: Curated the event, “Wellness and Vitality REFRESH,” that took place at Annapolis Friends in Annapolis, MD. This empowering three-hour event was tailored to meet the needs of busy women preparing for the upcoming fall season. I taught a “Writing for Liberation” workshop.
November 1, 2024: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: I began the call for submissions for the new digital journal I am editing as Poet Laureate, presented by PGAHC.
November 1, 2024: CALL FOR SUBMISSIONS: I began the call for submissions for the new digital journal I am editing for Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice, Inc.
November 1, 2024: EXHIBIT: "Why I Vote Again'', WCADC's exhibition focused on activism, politics, and what issues compel us to vote, juried by Sara Khambalia, Gallery Manager at Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery at Smith Center. Exhibition ran from November 1 - 26, 2024. Reception was Friday, November 1, 7 to 9 pm. I had/have an art piece in the exhibition that features one of my poems, “When They (Don’t) Speak of Us”. Compass Art Center located at 10335 Kensington Pkwy, Kensington, MD 20895
November 2024: WORKSHOP: Interviewed by PBS’s Roadtrip Nation before leading the "Writing for Liberation" workshop at the Laurel branch library.
December 2024: KEYNOTE ADDRESS: Delivered the commencement keynote speech at UMBC, performing my spoken word piece "What About These Jobs?", earning the first standing ovation for a commencement speaker in 30 years. UMBC, Baltimore, MD
2025
January 11, 2025: CONFERENCE: Implemented Black Family Homeschool Educators and Scholars 5th Annual Virtual Teach-In, teaching parents how to facilitate learning in various subject areas.
January 19, 2025: POETRY SHOWCASE: Hosted and curated the virtual event, “With These Words: A Virtual Tribute to Martin Luther King, Jr.” Featured poets included B. Sharise Moore, Khari Dawson, Toni Love and more.
February 15, 2025: YOUTH LITERARY CONFERENCE: From October 2024- to February 2025, served as consultant to Prince George’s County Public Schools as they planned their inaugural Teen Literary Conference that took place at Oxon Hill High School.
February 21, 2025: PERFORMANCE: Performed on the Kennedy Center’s Millennium Stage in the presentation I wrote, directed and produced, “Soundtrack of Social Justice,” with my performance group, Liberated Muse. Garnered coverage from CNN, NBC, CBS and more.
February 26, 2025: PUBLIC PROGRAM: Presented Humanities program to 7th and 8th graders from Northwest Academy of Health in Baltimore, MD at Coppin State University, Baltimore, MD in partnership with Black Writers for Peace and Social Justice, Inc.
March 12, 2025: PERFORMANCE: Featured poet at Busboys and Poets, 450 & K Street, Washington, DC for open mic and Poet Laureate series, hosted my Simply Sherri
March 30, 2025: TALK & READING: Featured author in Pathways Magazine Inaugural Literary Salon, Hilton Tysons Corner, McLean, VA
April 6, 2025: PERFORMANCE: Featured poet at FSC First Harlem Nights Event, read poetry by Langston Hughes
April 15, 2025: PANEL DISCUSSION: 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
W.E.B. Du Bois, James Weldon Johnson, Langston Hughes, and Black American Culture & Arts
(Moderator & Presenter), Prince George’s County Upper Marlboro Library, Upper Marlboro, MD
April 24, 2025 SCHOOL PRESENTATION, 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM
National Poetry Month Presentation at Laurel High School, (Speaker/Facilitator), Laurel, MD
April 29, 2025, PANEL DISCUSSION, 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM
The Lives & Works of George Schuyler, Richard Wright, Paul Robeson, Margaret Walker & Jean Toomer (Moderator & Presenter), Prince George’s County Laurel Library, Laurel, MD
Resigned as Poet Laureate of Prince George’s County, MD on April 30, 2025
May 17, 2025, KEYNOTE COMMENCEMENT SPEECH, 2:00 PM
Enoch Pratt Library Adult Online High School Graduation, (Keynote Speaker), Baltimore, MD
June 8, 2025, HOST MC & EVENT CURATOR, 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Pathway's Magazine Summer Natural Living Expo,(Curating the inaugural Sound Salon), University of Maryland, College Park, MD
June 12, 2025, PERFORMANCE (with Liberated Muse), 2:15-2:35 PM, National Council of Nonprofits Annual Convening, Eaton Hotel, Washington, DC
June 18, 2025, FEATURED AUTHOR, 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Planet Word's Juneteenth Literary Jubilee & Black Author Book Fest, (Book signing and reading), Washington, DC
June 27 – Sunday, June 29, 2025, EVENT PRODUCER, Black Writers for Peace & Social Justice Writing for Liberation Virtual Teach-In, (Moderating panels and reading from books)
July 9-31, 2025, EVENT PRODUCER, MODERATOR, Reading and Writing Matters Panel Discussion Series--Black Writers for Peace & Social Justice at Coppin State University
2026
Sunday, January 18, 2026, READING – With These Words-- a poetic tribute to MLK
4:00 PM EST | Virtual
Tuesday, February 17, 2026, WORKSHOP & READING: Liberation, Social Justice & Summoning Black Joy | Coastline College | Fountain Valley, CA
Tuesday, February 24, 2026, In Black Voices Through Poetry, Silver Spring Town Center, Hosted by Poet Brenda Bunting, Featuring Poetry Readings by Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, Patti Ross, Catrice Greer, 7:00 PM EST
Sunday, February 22, 2026, Inside the Black Mind Exhibit, Part of the Black Book Block Party, Featuring Framed Poetry by Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman, 2-6:00 PM EST | CREATIVE SAINTS LOFT, HYATTSVILLE, MD
Saturday, February 28, 2026, Liberated Muse Presents: Zora Past the Sun, 4:30 PM EST | Planet Word Museum | Washington, DC
Tuesday, March 10, 2026:
In Conversation with Author Toni Ann Johnson
7:00 PM EST | Red Emma's | Baltimore, MD | LEARN MORE
Tuesday, April 7, 2026:
In Conversation with Poet Khari Dawson
7:00 PM EST | Red Emma's | Baltimore, MD | LEARN MORE
Tuesday, April 14, 2026:
WORKSHOP – Writing an Acrostic, Haiku and Persona Poem with Dr. Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman
(Presented in Partnership with the Laurel Arts Council)
Laurel High School
Saturday, April 18, 2026:
WORKSHOP – The Business of Music & Performing Arts, Part of the 2025–2026 Business of Creativity Lecture & Workshop Series
1pm-4pm | Brentwood Arts Exchange | Brentwood, MD | LEARN MORE
Friday, April 24, 2026:
READING – The Rebel's Zeitgeist Poetry Salon
6PM pm | Ivy Bookshop | Baltimore, MD
May 2, 2026: KEYNOTE: PGC Lynching Memorial Project's 2023 Racial Justice Essay and Creative Arts Contest Award Ceremony, Greenbelt, MD
Saturday, May 9, 2026:
READING – Books in Bloom 2026
11 AM-3 PM |Color Burst Park | 6221 Mango Tree Rd, Columbia, MD 21044
Monday, May 17-19, 2026:
POETRY RESIDENCY –Joe's Movement Emporium with William Beane Elementary School
Hillcrest Heights, MD