Amani

Anne-Marie Woods, aka Amani, is a Toronto performer who visited Crestwood for a Black History Month presentation in February 2017.  She entertained and educated students with her show Journey Into Me, a series of songs, raps and spoken word mixed in with her unique storytelling style. Journey Into Me is the story of how Black History and the Performing Arts changed Amani’s life. Amani has received many artist awards and grants, including the prestigious BBPA Harry Jerome Award for Entertainer of the Year. She has also done countless presentations for schools, corporations and organizations and has worked for various organizations such as CBC Radio, Young Peoples Theatre, and Artscape. Her new play, SHE SAID/HE SAID – a Theatrical Rhapsody – had a World Premiere in Montreal in 2016 at the MAI produced by Black Theatre Workshop Montreal. Her latest production The Three Friends, a new play on African Canadian History and Race Relations, just had a show at the Richmond Hill Performing Arts Centre and the Georgian Theatre in Barrie, Ontario.   Amani has performed and facilitated workshops in Canada, the United States, London, England and Trinidad West Indies. As a youth she had to overcome behavioural problems and cultural challenges and she believes that if she did not learn about channeling her energy towards something more positive or the importance of Black History and Culture that she would not have achieved any of the goals she has accomplished today. She wants everyone here to know that if she can change; then anyone can and that performing is an amazing and positive outlet.

We at Crestwood thank Amani for her performance and the oral history interview she was kind enough to do.