In 2010, I wrote this tribute to Dr. Dorothy I. Height:

Highest Height

As of April 20, 2010 Dorothy Height will not breathe again

To this world she said good night

After reaching her Highest Height

In her 98 years, Dorothy Height worked more than enough

Through situations pleasant and sometimes tough

She was born in a country where, by law, her color was rejected

And she lived with her status as a woman routinely disrespected

Yet, as the sole Black woman she proudly stood

As the balance for those men who sought to do good

To do good for a maturing democracy

Amid their pain from living in its hypocrisy

Dr. Height did her share

To make her country and her people aware

Aware of the dignity of the Black family

Aware of its history and its legacy

A life of purpose is what Dr. Height led

The spirit of her people is what she fed

She lived and dined with ministers and with the masses

She met with presidents and with people of many races and classes

In her signature hats with clothes to match

Dorothy Height was a lady at all times

Gracefully aging like fine wine

And now that she has closed the earth door

There will be other places for her to explore

Understand, this spiritual assignment is complete

Now her Creator she must meet and greet

So for those who feel sad and left behind

Please accept that a life, well-lived, deserves a finish line

Just remember.

Remember her love for her people, her commitment and her dedication

Remember to follow her model of service to her nation

Remember Dr. Height as courageous and kind

Fully possessed of a sound mind

Remember, she lived to reach her Highest Height

And she chose, when and where — to say good night

CeLillianne Green Copyright 2010 All Rights Reserved

On Saturday, July 9, 2016, I had the honor of delivering the Commemorative Poem, “They Prayed”  for the Bicentennial of the African Methodist Episcopal Church in Philadelphia, PA. The official program can be viewed on the link below.

My name appears on Page 14  at 9:00 a.m. for the Bicentennial Moment. http://ame-church.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Official-2016-General-Conference-Agenda.pdf

“They Prayed” can be heard at https://youtu.be/_z5TSD2KxpE

Congratulations to the oldest African American Church for 200 years of ministry!

My poem, “A Man’s Worth” is quoted in the following article about Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/a-keeper-of-martin-luther-kings-legacy/2016/01/17/09d46056-bd4e-11e5-bcda-62a36b394160_story.html

“A MAN’S WORTH”

January 15, 1929 was the birth date

Of the man who was called to combat hate

The man who wanted freedom to ring

The man of peace, Dr. Martin Luther King

He was a minister with a voice that resonated in your soul

A freedom fighter who only lived to be 39 years old

As you speak or hear others call his name

As you remember his voice or the public’s acclaim

As you consider Dr. King’s legacy and his worth

There are countless reasons to celebrate his birth

Yet, there are some questions that can be asked

About how he completed his life’s task

Did he help somebody along life’s way?

Did he call on God? Did he faithfully pray?

Did he preach about love, freedom, justice and peace?

Has the need for his preaching— ceased?

Did he speak and work to serve his people and his nation?

Did his teachings strengthen the world’s foundation?

Were there enemies who hated him? Was he reviled?

Did hatred stop him from walking his mile?

Did he write a “Letter from a Birmingham Jail?”

Did he ask others to pray for him so he wouldn’t fail?

Do you remember the dream he openly shared?

Do you recall his love for his people and that he really cared?

Who joined him in his fight against poverty and discrimination?

Did you help him, without reservation?

In 1968, too soon, did violence take him away?

Does his legacy continue to have something to say?

When you hear the name, Martin Luther King, Jr.

Do you balance his burdens with his sense of humor?

Do you remember his laugh or his bright smile?

Could you walk in his shoes for half a mile?

Do you recall the man, the brother, the father, the husband or the son?

Do you remember this country before his work was begun?

Was there a Nobel Prize for this noble man?

A man of vision who had the courage to stand

To stand for peace, for justice, for freedom, for love

To stand ready to meet his Creator, God above

During Reverend King’s short time on this earth

Is the world better because of his birth?

These are some questions you might ask

About the man in whose legacy we now bask

Yet, there is no question about Dr. King’s value or his worth

There is no question about why this nation celebrates his birth

He came and left this nation, this world, profoundly changed

For his work, a National Memorial bears his name

The Memorial honors Dr. King’s visionary plan

A plan for justice, love, peace and freedom for every man

So put your hands together and boldly stand

Stand and applaud the life of this extraordinary man

Stand and commit to doing the work that remains to be done

The work needed to heal this nation and its people, one by one

Stand and truly honor this honorable man

Then ask:

Am I doing the very best I can

To preserve his vision and fulfill his plan?

CeLillianne Green Copyright © 2011

January 14, 2016 would have been the 76th birthday of Julian Bond who was born in 1940.

On January 14, 2016, I had the honor of participating in a “Celebration of Life Convocation” for Julian Bond.

http://www.philly.com/philly/education/20160115_Julian_Bond_remembered_at_Lincoln_U.html

http://www.dailylocal.com/general-news/20160117/lincoln-honors-a-good-son-julian-bond

It was held at Lincoln University in Pennsylvania where Julian Bond spent some of his formative years because his father, Horace Mann Bond was the first African American President of Lincoln University.

One of the poems I shared in tribute to Julian Bond during the January 14th Convocation was:

The Cycle of Life

The cycle of life is the same for us all

Each of us must answer when God calls

We live and we die.

This is a certainty

The only question is what will be our legacy?

The legacy of Julian Bond brought us here today

His life had something very important to say

He lived a life of purpose, a mission fulfilled

He deserves “peace – be – still”

From a co-founder of SNCC to a family man

Mr. Bond embraced a life with many demands

As a leader in the fight for freedom and Civil Rights

Julian Bond led a remarkable life

A Georgia state legislator, a TV commentator

A writer, a great debater

This man of Morehouse College pedigree

This honorary son of Lincoln University

Chairman of the NAACP

Southern Poverty Law Center President

His was a life well-spent

With his sharp mind and his big heart

With love for his people, he did his part

What he did and what he had to say

Showed America a better way

His voice kept our “Eyes on the Prize”

His work inspired his people to rise

In case you didn’t know it, Julian Bond was also a poet

Now he’s in the place of life after death

He has inhaled and exhaled his very last breath

Mr. Bond lived at the pleasure of God’s desire

He answered the call to take him higher

So, cry a little and hold him in your heart

If you keep him there, you will never be apart

And the next time you see the morning sunrise

Remember to keep your “Eyes on the Prize”

Because the cycle of life is the same for us all

Each of us must answer when God calls

CeLillianne Green Copyright © 2016

A poetic assessment of the police stop of Sandra Bland. @CeLillianneGreen #SandraBland #StayInYourLane

STAY IN YOUR LANE       –

CeLillianne Green Copyright © 2015

Before he stops you

He follows your car to watch you

You change lanes in order for him to pass you by

Instead, he stops your car. You don’t know why

No turn signal before changing lanes

In disbelief, you explain

It sounds to him like you complain

License and registration

He can sense your aggravation

There is something about your tone

You speak with an air he does not condone

He can choose to issue a warning, a citation

He chooses to lower your uppity vibration

He tells you to stop smoking

Is he serious or is he joking?

You think he’s gone too far

Smoking is clearly legal in your car

You dare to pose the question

Quickly, you learn it was not a joke or a suggestion

Whatever he says, he expects you to comply

Do not look him in the eye

Total deference, utmost respect

Bow down, genuflect

He’s in charge. He’s the cop

He told you to stop

Toward him, you should appear to be absolutely polite

After all, he appears to be absolutely White

You’re a woman and you’re Black

Do not speak.  Do not talk back

He wears a uniform.

He wears a badge.

He will taser you. Do not make him mad

But you do. You make him mad.

He thinks you’ve gone too far

Opens the door to your car

He will not allow you to film him with a phone

You’re going to jail. You’re not going home.

He moves you roadside, out of “Dash Cam” view

No video of what he does to you

Sounds of struggle can be heard

And of course, there are the words

His back-up is on the way

You’re on the ground. In handcuffs, you’ll stay.

The ground is to remind you of your place

Jail will be your next space

Three days in jail and you tragically die

Of course, it would not have happened if he passed you by

But, he had to stop you to make it plain

He is in charge.  Stay in your lane.

WE DID IT!!!!! 

THANK YOU SO VERY MUCH!!!! 

On Sunday, June 21, 2015 at 6:00 p.m., we performed a Staged Reading of That Word in the DC Black Theatre Festival. 

The Staged Reading of the epic poem, That Word received a standing ovation and rave reviews from a crowded audience. 

I was very pleased with the performance, and I autographed books after the performance. 

I have received inquiries about when the next That Word performance will be held. I do not know. 
I am too exhausted to think about it. But I will. 

Please check my website calendar about future performances. 

For contributors who were able to attend the performance, it was great to see you. I trust you saw your name in the program, unless you requested to be anonymous. 

The photographer Lawrence A. Randall has posted great photos from the performance on his Face Book page. I posted those photos on my Face Book page as well. 

There are some black and white photos in the program. I do not know how to post them to this site. Please forgive my technology challenges. 

Please continue to keep the people involved in this production in a high vibration of thought and/or prayer. 

Their names and their roles from the program are as follows: 

Author / Playwright / Producer 
CeLillianne Green 

Director / Dramaturge 
Najuma Bronze Weeks 


Actors / Readers 

Ka’Ba Akintunde – Elder 5, Oppressors Content 

R. Bernard “Tariq” Butler – Elder 1, Ancestors Intent 

Donna “annoD” Clark-Horton – Beloved Messenger 

Kareema Wambuii Cockrell – Elder 6, Cast 

CeLillianne Green – Messenger’s Conscience 

Sharon Lee Minor – Elder 4, Descendants Descent 

Nana Malaya Rucker-Oparabea 
– Elder 2, Oppressors Content 

Larry Sampson – Elder 3, Cast 


Production Team 

Jeannette Jackson – Production Manager 

Pamela Long – Production Assistant 

Larry Sampson – Stage Manager 

Avis Thomas-Lester – Publicist 

Music 

Manatho Shumba Masani – Mbira dza Vadzimu 
(Zimbabwean Instrument of the Ancestors) 

Again, thank you for your support, encouragement, and contributions. You truly helped to make this event a success. I am so grateful!!!! 

Peace & Blessings 

CeLillianne Green

4 days to Show Time: 

Sunday – June 21, 2015 – 6:00 PM. 

I am excited, exhausted, and looking forward to the event. 

June 16, 2015 was our 9th rehearsal. We were in full dress thanks to you. I think you will like our costumes. 
We also have a great addition to our cast which I will tell you about in my next update. 

I made final edits to the program, and they should be available on 6/18/15 thanks to you. 

This is my last update before the event. Of course, I will provide an update after the performance. 

The DC Black Theatre Festival (“DCBTF”) opens this Friday, June 19th with a Gala event and the play “Letters From Zora.” The lead actress is Vanessa Bell Calloway. 

Check the DCBTF website for tickets to the Gala. 

I plan to attend the Gala, and to see the other playwrights and directors who I have not seen since the DCBTF workshops on March 7th. 

We have a final rehearsal for That Word on 6/20/15. 

PLEASE NOTE : 

The performance venue for That Word is a renovated RED BRICK CHURCH on the St. Elizabeth’s East Campus. 

The building is visible from MLK, Jr. Ave. 

The venue has a free parking lot next to the building. 

There is also on street parking. 

The nearest Metro train station is Congress Heights Green Line. 

Other Staged Readings will be happening that day in this venue. Plan the time of your arrival accordingly. 

Please check out the venue at: 

R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center 
St. Elizabeth’s East 
2730 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., SE 
Washington, DC 20032 

www.stelizabethseast.com 

Please check the DC Black Theatre Festival website for the posting about That Word and other information. 

http://dcblacktheatrefestival.com/reading-series.html. 

Please keep the cast and crew in your high vibration of thought and/or prayer. 

Thank you so much for your support!! 

Peace & Blessings 
CeLillianne Green

7 days to Show Time: 

Sunday – June 21, 2015 – 6:00 PM  

PLEASE NOTE : 

The venue is a renovated RED BRICK CHURCH on the St. Elizabeth’s East Campus. 

The building is visible from MLK, Jr. Ave. 

The venue has a free parking lot next to the building. 

There is also on street parking. 

The nearest Metro train station is Congress Heights Green Line. 

Other Staged Readings will be happening that day in this venue.  

Please check out the venue at: 

R.I.S.E. Demonstration Center 
St. Elizabeth’s East 
2730 Martin Luther King, Jr. Ave., SE 
Washington, DC 20032 

www.stelizabethseast.com ;

Please check the DC Black Theatre Festival website for the posting about That Word and other information. 

http://dcblacktheatrefestival.com/reading-series.html. ;