Antoinette Lakey

Toni, as she is affectionately referred to by those closest to her is actively involved in her community as the Artistic Director of the newest Multicultural theater company Teatro Anansi. She loves to inspire youth to reach into themselves and tell their stories. “Our” children need to understand that their stories are “our” stories just in a different generation. It’s important that they are given an outlet to express their thoughts and feelings. That can be dance, drama, writing or art. Virtually, anything that allows them the freedom of expression. She is Lead storyteller for African Folktales. Previously working with The Renaissance Guild on The Divas of Eastwood which she co-wrote with her late Partner William Lewis III, she was the Creative Director for the Lorraine Hansberry Project in Collaboration with TRG & KLRN in 2018 and conducted a writing workshop at Sam Houston High School. In 2017 as co-writer for Men of Eastwood she received the coveted ATAC Globe Award for Best Writer for an original Musical. Toni was part of the Teaching Initiative with the Institute of Texan Cultures, as well as continuing to work on the Eastwood Project as the official Historian. As a seamstress, in 2021 she served as wardrobe mistress on the set of DeAnna Browns “The Rays”. One of her most recent projects was being a part of the Echo Project under the leadership of Andrea Vocab Sanderson. Toni utilizes her sewing gift by serving for special events and providing onsite services.