Carlo L'Chelle Dawson
PROFILE
Seasoned arts professional with 20+ years of experience in writing, poetry performance, storytelling, workshops, and event curation. Skilled certified teaching artist and curriculum designer specializing in arts integration, engaging audiences through storytelling, poetry, music, movement, visual arts, and drama. Proven leader and community organizer with a strong record of innovative, cultural programming for audiences of all ages and diverse backgrounds.
EDUCATION
Lesley University, Cambridge, MA, Summa Cum Laude, 2015 Masters in Education, Arts Integrated Curriculum Instruction
Thesis: The Role of the Arts in Promoting Student Voice and Empowerment for Engaged Learning in High Schools
Overall G.P.A. 4.0
Middlebury College, Bread Loaf School of English, Middlebury, VT, 2006
College of Charleston, Charleston, SC, 2001 Bachelors in English
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
2025-present Poet Laureate City of Rock Hill, SC
2023-present Dean of Student Leadership Rock Hill School District
2020-present Executive Director/Founder Power of PROGENY Foundation nonprofit
2018-2021 Cultural Competence Graduate School Instructor Winthrop University/Rock Hill School District
2005-2023 Curriculum Designer/Instructor, Journalism 1, 2, & 3 Rock Hill School District
2005-2023 Curriculum Designer/Instructor, Creative Writing 1 & 2 Rock Hill School District
2005-2023 Instructor, English IV British Literature Rock Hill School District
2002-2005 Public Speaking Rock Hill School District
COMMUNITY SERVICE & AFFILIATIONS
2026 Member Black Poet Laureate Association
2025 Member National Storyteller Network
2025 Member Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia
2020-present Founder and executive director Power of PROGENY Foundation Nonprofit
2022-present Belonging Conference, board Winthrop University
2023-present YC Equity Advisory Board United Way
2022-2024 Member Palmetto Reading Council
2018-2022 Member Rock Hill Reads Association
2018-2020 Member SC State Council of the International Reading Association
2016-2019 President City of Rock Hill Community Relations Council
2017-2020 President Juneteenth-Rock Hill, Inc. Board
2013-2024 Adviser Board Member South Carolina Scholastic Press Association
1998-present Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
GRANTS & FELLOWSHIPS
2017-18, Arts Council of York County Grant Recipient, “Why We Celebrate Juneteenth”
2017, Rock Hill District Innovation Grant Recipient “Dave the Potter: Molding and Shaping Minds”, Superlative Rating
2015-2020, Rock Hill Youth Council Grant Recipient, “Travel the Globe: South Pointe International Festival”
2015, NEH Landmarks of American History & Culture “Crafting Freedom: African American Entrepreneurs in the
Antebellum South” Fellowship
SELECTED PUBLICATIONS
Poetry Collections
2016, Semblance of a Footprint: A Collection of Intimate Poetry & Strategies for Healing After the Loss of an Unborn or Newly
Born Child
2020-21, Through Our Eyes: A Collection of Poetry & Artwork Through the Eyes of Students in Rock Hill Schools in the
Life-Changing School Year
Poetry Children’s Books/Music
2025, Little Vivian’s Star Filled Dream
2021, The Book of My Revelation 2.0 LP
2019, Daring Dave: Who is Dave the Potter?
2017, Why We Celebrate: The Rich Legacy of Juneteenth
Online Publications/Anthologies/Journals
2026, Life in the Hill
2020, Of Earth & Sky
AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
2022, Palmetto Reading Council’s Distinguished Literacy Teacher of of the Year Award
2023-present, Certified Teaching Artist, SC Arts Commission
2020, Educator of the Year, Central City Optimist International Club
2020, Come-See-Me Community Service Merit Award
SELECTED PERFORMANCES/READINGS
Festivals/Conferences
2025-23, Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival, Emcee & Storyteller, Rock Hill, SC
2024-25, One Word Poetry Festival, workshop facilitator, Rock Hill, SC
2021, Stirring Up Gifts, Sharing our Passions, Juneteenth Festival, Chicago, Illinois, Guest Emcee, Storyteller, & Author
Colleges/Universities
2025, Winthrop University, Poetry Reading
2025, York Technical College, Poetry Reading & Workshop
2024, University of South Carolina-Lancaster, Juneteenth Storytelling
2023, Winthrop University, The Missing Voice: Arts Integration strategies, Winthrop Belonging Conference presenter
School Districts
2021-2024, Florence School District, Voices of the Movement, One Woman Show written and performed by Carlo Dawson
Museums/Nonprofits
2026, Tender Hearts Ministries, MLK Banquet, Keynote Address
2025, Historic Brattonsville Museum, Vocalist, sang during the ceremony that honored hundreds of formerly enslaved people
buried at the Brattonsville Enslaved Ancestral Burial Ground
2025, Habitat for Humanity, Poetry performance
Spoken Word Features
2026, City of Rock Hill MLK Community Breakfast, Commissioned Poem, Rock Hill, SC
2025, The Whole Woman Retreat, poetry performance, Bali, Indonesia
2025, Afternoon of Poetry and Prose, Poetry Reading, Rock Hill, SC
2025, Soda City Poetry Festival Poet Laureate poetry reading and dinner, Columbia, SC
2025, College of Charleston Anniversary Brunch, keynote address and poetry reading, Charleston, SC
2024, Patchwork Tales Storytelling Festival, poetry performance, Rock Hill, SC
SELECTED CURATED PROJECTS & EVENTS
2026-Writing as Women Warriors. created a poetry writing session for women in Rock Hill, SC and surrounding areas to analyze poetry written by women and to create their own while raising funds for a local women’s shelter.
2026-Rock Hill Poetry Out Loud. promoted the National Poetry Out Loud program by organizing the information for the Rock Hill, SC competition while engaging student, educator, and community participation in poetry recitation and appreciation.
2025-Patchwork Tales Youth Storytelling workshops. created sessions to teach youth how to create stories as professional storytellers while enhancing their communication skills to perform at the national Patchwork Tales storytelling festival.
2025-Mic Drop. Created an open mic series in partnership with Poet Laureate Emeritus featuring poets, singers, musicians, and other artists from across South and North Carolina performing their talents.
2022-We Wear the Masks: Mask-Making and Storytelling workshop, Harvey B. Gantt Center for African American Arts and Culture, Charlotte, NC, created a session to allow participants to express emotions via mask-making and creative writing
2022-2025, POP Powerful Youth Leadership Arts Camp, SC, created a youth leadership arts camp to foster youth leadership and community civic engagement through the arts in SC.
2020-2015, Carlo’s Creative Writing camp, created a creative writing camp to teach Rock Hill community youth how to write and express creatively in order to use these invaluable skills in all facets of life.
2015-present, Advocated for literacy through 400+ school visits, commissions, performances, workshops, and public events.