Curriculum Vitae

Professional Experiences

  • YO MAMA’S HOUSE, INC., Executive Director, 2022 - Now

  • Independent Trainer, Consultant, and Writer, 1988 - Now

  • Department of Human Services, Parent Liaison Parent Trainer for Mental Health Behavioral Aides, 2014- 2015

  • Bright Water Montessori, Special Education Teacher, 2011-2013

  • Minneapolis Public Schools, Special Education Teacher, Kindergarten - 12th grade, Learning Disabilities, Early Childhood Education, and Parent Education, 1989-2011

Education

  • Master in Religious Leadership and Certificate in Black Church Leadership, 2017, United Theological Seminary, New Brighton, MN

  • Early Childhood Special Education, 2000, California State University at Dominguez Hills

  • Master of Special Education and Learning Disability, 1991, University of Minnesota: Twin Cities, MN.

  • B.A. Degree Creative Writing & Feminist Studies 1979, Immaculate Heart College, Los Angeles, CA.

Fellowships & Grants

  • 2022 McKnight Culture Bearer Fellowship

  • 2022 Headwater Foundation, Seeding Cultural Treasures (YO MAMA’S House)

  • 2022 Propel, Black Seed Fund (YO MAMA’S House)

  • 2022 CURA’s ANPI (YO MAMA’S House)

  • 2021 Loft’s Mirrors and Windows Fellow, Children’s Books

  • 2021 Jerome Hill Fellowship in Theater/Performance

  • 2019- 2020 Naked Stages Fellow at Pillsbury House Theater

Writings & Publications

  • CenterSAGE, “How to Redeem Monsters”, 2022

  • Witness Writing Anthology, (Northside Writers’ group) 2022

  • Missing Mama: My story of Loss, Sorrow and Healing, a self-published memoir, 2012

Plays & Performances

  • The Meaning: MTV video by Adja Gildersleve, 2022

  • Opera of Memories, Open Eye Theater Puppet Lab, 2022

  • ANGRY BLACK WOMAN & Well Intentioned White Girl, 2016-2020

  • Old Good Pussy and Good Old Pussy, Pillsbury House Theater’s Naked Stages, 2020

  • Paradise: No People Allowed, MONKEYBEAR Puppet Fellowship, 2019

Installations

  • Im/perfect Sleep, The M- Museum of American Art, Feb.-August, 2023

  • Rita Keegan Archive Project, Social Fabric, South London Gallery, 2022

  • “YO MAMA’S Northside Black History Month Pop Up Museum”, Weisman Art Museum, Feb., 2020

Amoke Kubat is a ”Northsider for life” who has been involved in empowering mothers and families since 1987. She is a Yoruba Priestess, teacher, artist, and writer who partners with community artists, activists, and organizations to bridge African/African American culture and historical contributions into transformative actions and socially equitable practices for healing and building sustainable families and communities.

Amoke is the designer of YO MAMA! It is a “mothering” artistic practice. YO MAMA! is an art-based support group called The Art of Mothering Workshops (where traditional women’s work is learned and art genres are explored) and provides custom-designed ART Residencies for organizations that serve mothers. YO MAMA’s mission is to empower mothers by disrupting the devaluation of women’s invisible labor and showcasing their mastery of the art of mothering and the universal traditional women’s work that transforms into art-making and economic security.

Amoke uses writing and art-making to speak truth to power and to hold a position of wellness in an America sick with inequalities and inequities. Her writing includes published short stories, her memoir, a play, and the Playbook for the play.

Watch Amoke introduce herself at a Minnesota Women's Press Conversation on April 25, 2018.