Lizard Lounge Poetry Jam-U-Meleni Mhlaba-Adebo

U-Meleni Mhlaba-Adebo, a Zimbabwean-American poet, performer, educator, and mental health advocate, whose dynamic storytelling and multidisciplinary work continue to push boundaries and inspire audiences globally. Mhlaba-Adebo returns to Lizard Lounge with a performance with friends that weaves poetry, rhythm, and lived experience into an unforgettable evening of spoken word.
Her work in Boston and beyond over the past two years has been transformative. In 2023, she was recognized with a Certificate of Recognition from Mayor Michelle Wu for her contributions to arts, wellness, and inclusivity in the city. As a Brother Thomas Fellow, she has deepened her impact through artistic projects that center identity, healing, and social justice. A first time Director, her poetic documentary, Reclamation: This is My Country, This is My Land, premiered at Boston’s We Create Festival in May 2024, exploring themes of grief, ancestral ties, and land reclamation. A follow-up project, Finding the Ndebele Woman in Me, is currently in development.She remains deeply engaged in Boston’s arts and education scene, and has been partnered with organizations such as Castle of Our Skins, Danza Organica, Museum of Fine Arts. Her work as an educator and creative consultant focuses on leveraging the arts for social change, making her a sought-after speaker, trainer, and advocate.
Internationally, Mhlaba-Adebo has made a significant impact through her work in Lagos, Nigeria, where she was selected for the Lantern Art Space Fellowship in 2024, a prestigious five-month residency funded by Goethe-Institut Nigeria and The Sahara Center. This residency led to The Sinmi Bench Project, a public art initiative designed to foster connection and reflection in urban spaces. January 2025 the fellows received $3.2 million Naira aimed at reimagining community spaces and bringing their creative idea to life.. As a result, the fellowship has become part of a toolkit for artists looking to integrate art into public spaces, setting a precedent for how art can drive systemic change in Lagos.
A published author, her poetry collection Soul Psalms (She Writes Press, 2016) was praised by Dr. Thema Bryant-Davis as “beautifully transparent.” Her work is also featured in the New York Times Bestseller Under the Skin by Linda Villarosa, which examines racial disparities in healthcare. She is currently preparing to release an audio version of Soul Psalms in 2025, along with poetic merchandise, expanding her reach through multiple mediums.
As founder of the Maoko Project, she merges art, education, and healing to create socially impactful work. She has collaborated with Friendship Bench Zimbabwe, supporting mental health initiatives that have reached over 5,000 people. She serves on the boards of Mass Poetry and the Zimbabwe Poets Society, continually fostering dialogue between Boston’s artistic communities and the African diaspora.

Host or Publisher Lizard Lounge