About Ge’ylah Jones Allen

THE WOMAN BEHIND THE WORDS.

BEFORE THERE WAS A STAGE, THERE WAS A VOICE.

Ge'ylah (Jee-e-lah) is a master dramatist, legacy performance poet, and speech and dramatic arts educator whose three decades of creative stewardship have transformed tens of thousands of lives. As a primary custodian of the African American oral tradition, her work transcends traditional recitation, converting textbook literature into visceral and riveting audience experiences.

From coaching local speech and drama clubs and judging elite collegiate oratorical competitions to commanding national circuits and corporate auditoriums, her mastery bridges the gap between historical literature and modern audience engagement. As a traveling artist-in-residence, keynote speaker, workshop presenter, and entrepreneurial strategist, she acts as a pivotal force within the performing arts ecosystem—not only preserving historical narratives but directly equipping the next generation of creative pioneers and arts educators to fly high in the field of oratory, while also building sustainable, high-impact brands in the cultural arena.

THE GIFT BEGINS

AGE 5

BEFORE SHE UNDERSTOOD THE POWER OF WORDS, SHE WAS ALREADY SPEAKING THEM.

Ge’ylah began memorizing and reciting classic African American poetry at approximately five years old under the guidance of her mother, Mary L. Jones, a nurse by profession who majored in speech and drama at the then-Baptist College of Charleston (now Charleston Southern University). While her mother taught drama to all the siblings, she immediately noted that Ge'ylah possessed a photographic memory and a gifted method of delivering literature. This early recognition of Ge'ylah's 'gift' compelled her mother to continue training her daughter to learn more poems, thus forming the cornerstone of her artistic journey

What began as childhood recitations evolved into a lifelong devotion to the preservation of the oral tradition.

MEMORIZED AND PERFORMED BY AGE 16

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RECOGNIZING THE GIFT

AGE 15

THE WORDS BEGAN TO MEAN SOMETHING MORE.

At 15, teacher Margaret Hodges helped Ge’ylah recognize that what she had been doing since childhood was more than memorization. The literature carried history, identity, culture and voices that deserved to be understood as deeply as they were performed.

A Moment That Shaped Destiny

Before Ge’ylah turned 18, Susan L. Taylor—former editor-in-chief of Essence magazine and author of In the Spirit—witnessed her perform. The power of Ms. Taylor's words left an indelible mark on Ge'ylah. Inspired and validated, she began to pursue local events where she could share her gift.

“Sweetheart! Do you know some people go to school for years to recite like you did? You have a gift, people wish they had. Use it! Share it! Give it back to others!

Plate No. 14: Documenting an early performance. Observer Susan L. Taylor captures the emerging artistry of a storyteller on the cusp of eighteen.

1997

THE DOOR OPENS

ONE PERFORMANCE CAN CHANGE THE DIRECTION OF A LIFE.

Dr. Donda West, then Chairperson of English, Speech, and Modern Languages at Chicago State University, invited Ge’ylah to perform for the upcoming Gwendolyn Brooks Black Writers Conference. Caught up in the busy rush of organizing the event, Dr. West didn't have time to fully vet the young artist beforehand. Yet, when the time came, Ge’ylah took the stage and delivered a spellbinding, hour-long performance for the conference's literary-themed opening ceremony.

Days later, Dr. West summoned Ge’ylah into her office, pointing to a desk flooded with phone calls and glowing accolades. Dr. West looked at her and asked, 'Young lady! What are you going to do with all that talent?'

That definitive moment launched Ge'ylah's nationwide journey. With Dr. West stepping up as her first manager—hand-arranging her initial press kits, professional photos, and booking negotiations—Ge’ylah was officially ready to take her gift on tour.

THE ROAD OPENS

1998

THE WORDS LEFT HOME.

In 1998, Ge’ylah’s first documented out-of-state college engagement at Atlanta Metropolitan College (Georgia) , Emory & Henry University (Virginia) marked the beginning of the national touring chapter of Power of the Tongue. From there, the performance would travel into colleges, universities, cultural spaces, educational conferences and special events and programs across the country.

THE NATIONAL STAGE

Redefining How History and Literature are experienced

An archival testament to Ge’ylah Jones' legacy across Texas A&M, Colorado State, Bradley University, and dozens of institutions nationwide.

COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY CAMPUSES

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STATES REACHED

PERFORMANCES & ENGAGEMENTS

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THE EDUCATOR

THE STAGE WAS NEVER THE ONLY CLASSROOM.

Beyond performing her prestigious one-woman show, "Power of the Tongue," Ge’ylah’s core competency and deepest emotional connection lie in teaching, coaching, and training youth to master the very craft she embodies. She is deeply passionate about keeping the oral tradition of recitation alive, instilling a love for classic textbook poetry in young people.Her key career highlights and contributions to youth development include:

Foundational Impact: Began her legacy of mentorship at home by coaching her own three award-winning children before expanding her reach to their classmates and the broader community.

Community Leadership: Founded community speech and dramatic arts clubs, directing stellar, elaborate multimedia performances centered around her youth forensics club.

Curriculum Creation: Formed F.O.R.E.N.S.I.C.S. (Future Orators Reveal Exquisite Natural Skill In Competitive Speaking) in 1999, a groundbreaking 22-week speech and dramatic arts curriculum for high school students.

Academic Mentorship: Taught Speech and Drama for Chicago State University's Upward Bound program under the guidance of Dr. Carol Carson Warner.

Championship Coaching: Guided the Emmett Till Players, led the Poetry Slam Team at Western Illinois University, and coached students for the Rainbow PUSH Coalition Excel Speech and Oratorical competitions.

Literary & Digital Arts: Brought "Little Black Voices" to life in 2023 (originally conceptualized in 2013), launching an online educational experience and book series that highlights the childhood versions of famous Black poets.

CURRICULUM INITIATIVES

A DIFFERENT SEASON

2013

The expansion. Building Brands – Continuing The Impact

2013 marked Ge’ylah’s last full national touring season before a different chapter of life and work began. It was a threshold moment where physical travel halted, yet artistic and spiritual exploration only deepened within the community she called home.

From 2014 through the following years, her journey included caring deeply for her grandparents after their dementia diagnoses. This intimate, intensive path shaped her perspective profoundly, anchoring her art in real, everyday devotion. At the exact same time, her creative and educational work continued to thrive under a quieter, yet infinitely richer focus.

RECOGNIZING THE GIFT

THE STAGE CHANGED.

The Purpose Remained

National touring paused, but Ge’ylah continued creating, teaching and developing ways for others to encounter literature through performance.

Speech & dramatic arts consulting

Commissioned events

Speech arts judging

Black History Comes to Life

Brand Baby

2023

Ge’ylah developed Little Black Voices, a separate child-friendly concept helping young performers connect with African American poets and writers whose work they memorize and perform.

THE RETURN

2024

THEN THE NATIONAL STAGE OPENED AGAIN.

In 2024, Ge’ylah officially returned to national engagements, presenting at the NOW Conference alongside a program featuring Les Brown, Odell Bizzell and Stan Pearson III.

THE ROAD TO 30

THE NEXT CHAPTER ISN’T ABOUT LOOKING BACK.

The archive tells the story of where Ge’ylah has been. The Road to 30 is about where Power of the Tongue goes next... Ge’ylah is returning to campuses and cultural stages with a renewed vision.

EXPLORE THE VISION

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It is my desire to uplift, inspire and entertain through poetry and through spoken word.

Ge’ylah Jones

ARCHIVAL DOCUMENTARY RETURN

THE STORY CONTINUES

NOW EXPERIENCE WHAT THE JOURNEY CREATED.

Discover the signature theatrical literary experience that has carried Ge’ylah’s work from classrooms and college campuses to cultural stages across the country.

EXPERIENCE POWER OF THE TONGUE BOOK GE’YLAH