Bio
Originally from Bridgeport, CT, D. Colin is a poet, performer, visual artist and educator living in Troy, NY. She is the author of two poetry collections, Dreaming in Kreyol and Said the Swing to the Hoop. She is also a Cave Canem, VONA and New York State Writers Institute fellow. She currently curates and hosts, Poetic Vibe, a weekly poetry open mic at Troy Kitchen (now temporarily on Zoom). She also teaches workshops for schools, organizations, conferences and events.
D. Colin's visual art stems from an array of influences- a love for Frida Kahlo, Mickalene Thomas, the vibrant colors of Haitian art, and Hip Hop. Her work has been displayed at gallery shows, cafes and as a curated exhibit at Urban Art Gallery in collaboration with photographer and partner, Robert Cooper. She is currently working on an exhibition project to be completed in 2020 and runs a handmade, do-it-herself, arts business.
D. Colin has been involved with community theater since 2009 writing and acting with Black Theater Troupe of Upstate NY, Sandglass Theater, and Creative Action Unlimited among others. Her own original play, Simone, debuted at Capital Rep Theater in 2019 and she has received the League of Women Voters Presidential Award for her reenactments of Sojourner Truth.
In 2019, D. Colin was honored as Resourceful Woman of the Year in the Arts by YWCA-GCR and one of The Collaborative's Creatives under 40. She holds a Bachelors in English from Southern CT State University and a Masters in Africana Studies from University at Albany.
In her rare spare time, she likes to eat pistachio ice cream, visit used book stores and think of ways to change the world.
"The host of Troy Kitchen's Poetic Vibe is known to many in the Capital Region as "The Real Deal," the kind of poet that comes once every generation...her book, Dreaming in Kreyol is a must read."
-Alt Weekly
Be inspired. Then inspire.
Poetry slam
Regional slams:
QEW Slam
2016: 3rd place
2017: 1st place
WordxWord Women's Invitational
2018:1st place
MacDeland Fall Festival Poetry Slam
2019: 3rd place
National Poetry Slam
2012 & 2018
WOWPs
2016, 2017, 2018, 2020
Cap City Slam Team
Lizard Lounge: 1st Place
Featured
States: NY, CT, MA, VT, RI, NJ, MD, PA, OH, MI
International cities:
Toronto, Glasgow & London
Select Venues:
Nuyorican Poets Cafe
Boston Museum of Fine Art
Bronx Museum
NYS Writers Institute
Busboys & Poets
Binghamton University
University of Bridgeport
SUNY Adirondack
University of Rhode Island
Russell Sage College
workshops
Including at:
Hilltop Montessori
The Putney School
Hudson High School
Troy High School
Miss Hall's School
North Country School
Emma Willard School
Albany Leadership Charter High School for Girls
Mont Pleasant Elementary
Root3d Healing
Children at the Well
Boys & Girls Club
Hope 7 Community Center
WordxWord Festival
Voices of Community Poet in Residence, 2016
education
BA in English from Southern Connecticut State University, minor in Psychology, concentration in creative writing & African American literature
MA in Africana Studies at University at Albany, SUNY, concentration in African American literature