Opal Palmer Adisa

Opal Palmer Adisa, Jamaica born, is a sought-after speaker, who has lectured throughout the United States, as well as in South Africa, Ghana, Nigeria, Germany, England, and the Czech Republic.

An award-winning poet and prose writer, Opal has 11 titles to her credit, including the novel, It Begins with Tears (1997), which Rick Ayers proclaimed was one of the most motivational works for young adults. She has been a resident artist in internationally acclaimed residencies, such as Instituto Sacatar in Brazil and Headlands Center for the Arts in Sausalito, California. Opal's work has been reviewed by Ishmael Reed, Al Young, and Alice Walker, the latter describing her work as "solid, visceral, important stories written with integrity and love."

A compassionate teacher, gifted diversity trainer, literary critic, and proud mother of three accomplished children, Opal is a parenting editor and host at KPFA Radio in Berkeley, California. She has published numerous articles on different aspects of parenting and is currently working on a parenting book.

Published works:

• I Name Me Name (Peepal Tree Press, 2008), poems and stories
• Playing Is Our Work (WWAC Publishers, 2008), poetry and stories for children
• Until Judgment Comes (Peepal Tree Press, 2007), stories
• Eros Muse: Poems & Essays (Africa World Press, 2006)
• Caribbean Passion (Peepal Tree Press, 2004) poetry
• The Tongue Is a Drum (2002), poetry/jazz CD with Devorah Major
• Leaf-of-Life (Jukebox Press, 2000), poetry
• It Begins with Tears (Heinemann, 1997), novel
• Tamarind and Mango Women (Sister Vision Press, 1992), poetry, PEN Oakland / Josephine Miles National Literary Award winner
• Fierce/Love (1992), poetry/jazz recording with Devorah Major
• traveling women (Jukebox Press, 1998), poetry
• Bake-face and Other Guava Stories (Kelsey Street Press, 1986)
• Pina, the Many-Eyed Fruit (Julian Richards Publishing, 1985), children's book

---