DONNA ROSE WEEMS has been a social commentator since she was born. Haki Madhubuti (Don Lee)’s work, Don’t Cry, Scream, sums up her approach to truth-telling. In the second grade, Gwendolyn Brooks came to read at her elementary school, and she was forever changed.
Donna Rose has been writing from 10 years old, and sharing her literary offerings since 1978. In 1985, she began to add elements of theatre to her recitations to graphically illustrate for her audience the shadings of her verbal images. She has been a social activist since 1971 after joining the Black Panther Party for Defense, and continues to “scream” on the ugliness of covert and overt injustices.
Donna Rose has been a member or supporter of many organizations (Affinity, Literary Exchange, Guild Complex, N.A.M.E. Gallery, Randolph Street Gallery, National Black Gay and Lesbian Leadership Forum, Women’s Radio Project, and more). Her works have been published locally and widely (ACHE, Outlines, Windy City Times, Literary Express, Mother Tongues, and Essence magazines), and later became a member of the poetry collective Lesbians on the Couch (also known as Lesbians of Color), which included Chicago notables such as Vernita Gray, Mona Noriega, Carmen Abrego, Lola Lai Jong, and the late Diane Gomez. Donna Rose’s work in occupational therapy and serving special needs youngsters 0-3 in Black and Brown communities empowered families on ways to optimize their child’s development and access resources, has been another source of inspiration and great satisfaction (her family continues to be first source for sure).
Donna Rose has been humbled and privileged to mother Malcolm Sr., becoming a second Mom to Mercedes, while rediscovering the joys of being Granny (to Nick, Junie, and Marlo) and GG (to Baby Nico and Nadia). Be forewarned…They will take up where she leaves off.
Bio as of 7/2026