Author, performer, facilitator and entrepreneur, Dinahsta Thomas, also known as Miss Kiane, loves all things artsy. A native of Queens, NY Miss Kiane was born to an African American mother and a West African father. Consequently, Miss Kiane enjoys the benefits of a diverse and rich cultural background. Much of which shows up in her creative writing, performances and presentations.

As a performer, Miss Kiane has shared her poetry in several venues including Busboys and Poets, Alice’s Jazz and Cultural Center, Storytellers, The Synergy Center and several faith-based settings.  She’s appeared on a host of podcasts and T.V. shows such as Sojourn with Words, a CTV Poetry Cable Show hosted by Prince George’s County Poet Laureate Sistah Joy Alford, Color Me Poetry, directed by a DMV staple of poetry Danny Queen, and Maryland State’s Poet Laureate Grace Cavalier’s long standing radio broadcast, The Poet and the Poem.  She has authored two chapbooks; Think on These Things and Syncopated Hearts, produced one CD project, Permanent Impression: Poetries & Melodies and a poetry video “Hearing and Seeing“.  Additionally, Miss Kiane has several individually published poems in publications such as Paris Lit Up n 08, an international magazine that features poetry of poets across the globe. Currently, Miss Kiane enjoys hosting open mic night at Busboys and Poets Shirlington and Anacostia locations where she takes pride in creating a safe environment for veteran and novice creatives alike can mount the stage with a sense of comfort and ease.  

Miss Kiane is the owner of Kiane Ink Healing in the Pen, LLC, a creative arts company that uses poetry and creative expression as a platform for hope, healing, and social change.  In addition to spoken word performances, writing workshops and charitable community events, Miss Kiane has started a non-profit called The Inkwell committed to facilitating hope, awareness and self-love through creative writing and guided reflection. And when Miss Kiane is not hosting a poetry event, sharing her poetry or facilitating a writing workshop, she can be found binge watching episodes of SVU, cuddling with her dogs Brody and Jelly Bean and laughing at Tik Tok videos.

In her own words, “Poetry is my friend, my catharsis…my gift to the world.”

Keep the Mic On, a womyn-led online artisitc experience, welcomes Miss Kiane as their newest addition to their four host team.  Keep the Mic On or KTMO, is a weekly Facebook and Youtube streamed show that  through conversational interviews, explores various aspects of the art and the artist. Each week a different host tackles a different angle.  Miss Kiane’s segment is called Passion Projects: The Root of the Why.  During her segment, Miss Kiane seeks to unveil both the heart and soul of the artist’s story. True to her inquisitive nature, Miss Kiane discusses with her guests, why they do what they do?

Tune in every 2nd Sunday from 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. EST for Miss Kiane’s Passion Project interviews.