Josephine DixonBanks Biography

Josephine Dixon-Banks was born in Danbury, Connecticut in August 22,1948. She graduated from Clapboard Ridge High School in 1966, in Danbury, Connecticut. After graduating, she moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut where she attended Housatonic Community College for two years and received a Teacher’s Aid Certificate.

Josephine relocated to Durham, North Carolina in 1976 and began performing her original poetry on stage at The Carr Mill Mall Art School at Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Following her dream, she moved to Los Angeles, California where she transposed her poetry into lyrics and for several weeks worked with Milan Williams of the Commodores
R&B recording artist.

Also, she became Staff Assistant for Congressman Mervyn M. Dymally and worked on the Dukakis-Bentson campaign.

She worked for The Institute for Learning in Retirement / Elderhostel International
Expression Enrichment Facilitator,1998
Develop workshop curriculum for a group of 10 senior citizens.
Prepare written follow-up report for institute Director.

Shiloh Academy of Creative Arts, Inc.
Creative Writing Instructor,1997
Develop workshop programs for 50 students, conducted one-on-one assessments with students, and assisted students in the production of their presentations.

Discovery Museum / Family Services Woodfield
Housatonic Community Technical College / African-American Cultural Society Workshop Facilitator,1996
Facilitate open discussions about modern, urban poetry and prose.
Recite original poetry, conduct question and answer sessions.

Bridgeport Board of Education After-school Program / Lighthouses in the Community
Facilitator,1994 - 1996
Created a curriculum for expression enrichment that included an educational program for school-age children within Longfellow and Curiale schools. The same program was also conducted for the Bridgeport Board of Education Summer Youth Program.

From The Center for Women and Families, she received a
Certificate in Sexual Assault and Domestic Violence Counseling,1998

SKILL
• Workshop Facilitator
• Poetry Dramatist / Orator - Program Specialist
• Community Outreach Worker - Volunteer Coordinator