Dana Gilmore, poet and spoken word artist, will perform at Coastal Carolina University as a part of the Celebration of Inquiry at 8 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 16 in the Wall Auditorium. The event, which is free and open to the public, may contain adult content.

Gilmore has twice appeared on HBO's “Def Poetry Jam,” and has earned wide acclaim for her work. Her poems, mostly about life's adversities, have been called "invigorating" and "cathartic." Gilmore has shared the stage with such artists as Mos Def, Kanye West and Smokey Robinson. She now spends most of her time traveling across the nation performing at universities and other venues while working on songs, stage plays and screenplays.

Gilmore is from Kansas City, Mo. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international business from Morris Brown College where she graduated with honors. She is also an alumna of Atlanta Technical College where she earned a certificate in cosmetology. She previously was employed as an internal auditor with the Office of the Inspector General in Atlanta, as well as a part-time stylist at Intown Hair Studio and Day Spa.

For more information, contact Kristi Thompson, interim coordinator of programs, at 843-349-4165 or kthompso@coastal.edu.