Dayton poet debuts film about life with mental illness

‘Five Graceful Shifts’ to premiere online at 3 p.m. Friday, Dec. 18

A Dayton poet will debut a film that shares her life with mental illness.

“Five Graceful Shifts” is a window into the life of Latesa Williamson, a Dayton poet, spoken word artist, author and advocate for youth who uses the stage name, A. Slate.

“In this one-woman film, I am inviting you into the worlds I have created for myself as a single mother suffering with mental illness,” she wrote on the film’s Eventbrite page.

The film will premiere online Friday, Dec. 18 at 3 p.m.

General admission tickets are $30 and VIP admission is $50 and includes a signed book and participation in a live question-and-answer session.

Tickets and more information can be found on the “Five Graceful Shifts” Eventbrite page.

Slate will use a portion of the proceeds from the film to benefit youth “who are experiencing the same challenges that she endured as a silent victim of depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder and borderline schizophrenia,” according to a release.

Slate filmed “Five Graceful Shifts” at the historic Paul Laurence Dunbar house in Dayton.

In this one woman show, life is a poem and everyone is writing; telling stories of triumph, grace, gratitude and love,” Slate wrote.

“Now I stand before the world better and grateful, having found reasons to give thanks for it all. Healing is a process. Grace refines.”

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