Biography
Dianah Smith is Jamaican-born, Ottawa-raised writer, teacher, arts educator and curator currently based in Toronto, Canada.
She has been published in Siren, Flirt, and Shameless magazines and the anthology, She’s Shameless: Women write about growing up, rocking out, and fighting back (Tightrope Books).
Dianah is the recipient of several grants including an emerging writer’s grant from the Toronto Arts Council and a Writing Mentorship grant from the Ontario Arts Council – she was mentored by Jamaican poet and short story writer, Olive Senior.
Dianah teaches Autobiographical Writing courses for adults and Creative Writing workshops for at-risk youth.
In 2006-2007, Dianah curated When the Rainbow Isn’t Enough a monthly reading series sponsored by the Toronto Women’s Bookstore featuring queer and trans emerging writers of colour and two-spirited emerging writers.
In 2005, Dianah founded ‘A’ is for Orange a group for queer caribbean writers that aims to strengthen and build community by celebrating under-represented voices, sharing resources, and mentoring emerging writers.
Dianah curates readings by ‘A’ is for Orange in partnership with various organizations in Toronto.
She has been published in Siren, Flirt, and Shameless magazines and the anthology, She’s Shameless: Women write about growing up, rocking out, and fighting back (Tightrope Books).
Dianah is the recipient of several grants including an emerging writer’s grant from the Toronto Arts Council and a Writing Mentorship grant from the Ontario Arts Council – she was mentored by Jamaican poet and short story writer, Olive Senior.
Dianah teaches Autobiographical Writing courses for adults and Creative Writing workshops for at-risk youth.
In 2006-2007, Dianah curated When the Rainbow Isn’t Enough a monthly reading series sponsored by the Toronto Women’s Bookstore featuring queer and trans emerging writers of colour and two-spirited emerging writers.
In 2005, Dianah founded ‘A’ is for Orange a group for queer caribbean writers that aims to strengthen and build community by celebrating under-represented voices, sharing resources, and mentoring emerging writers.
Dianah curates readings by ‘A’ is for Orange in partnership with various organizations in Toronto.
sistahz sAy! no more h8! reading 2009