damali ayo

An inspiring author, damali ayo uses humor to shed light on American culture and human relations, and helps readers think and grow while laughing at themselves. Also an artist, her issue-driven work has been exhibited nationally and internationally, and she has spoken at schools and organizations from coast to coast. ayo's talents don't end there – she has launched the first sliding-scale, eco-friendly clothing company, adopted a blind dog, teaches yoga, and has grown her own food. Her biggest joy in life is listening to the personal stories and life experiences of others.

ayo and her art have been featured in over 100 publications worldwide, including Harper's, The Village Voice, The Washington Post, Seattle Times, Chicago Tribune, and Redbook, as well as on Salon.com and C-SPAN's Book TV. She feels strongly that laughter and the infectious habit of retelling funny stories is one of the ways that social change can spread virally through a culture. ayo says, "I have seen that change starts with people, relationships and courage. That fuels my passion for helping people to be all they can be."

ayo's first book, How to Rent a Negro, was acclaimed as "one of the most trenchant and amusing commentaries on contemporary race relations." It was granted a 2005 Honorable Mention in the Outstanding Book Awards from the Gustavus Meyers Center for the Study of Bigotry and Human Rights. Her radio work, "Living Flag: Panhandling for Reparations," won a Silver Reel Award from the National Federation of Community Broadcasters, and her recent book, Obamistan!, is being heralded as a "blueprint for our brave new utopia."

ayo grew up in Washington DC, and has lived in Rhode Island, Maine, Illinois, Oregon and California. She holds a bachelor's degree in art from Brown University, with a dual concentration in public policy and American civilization. She earned her master's degree in fine art from Portland State University, concentrating in studio art. A Reiki master, yoga instructor, and an avid gardener who grows her own food and medicinal herbs, ayo strives to live in harmony with principles of sustainability.