Poet, Spoken Word Artist
Meet Shani Green (She/Her)
Shani “Bancoisna” Green (she/her) is a poet, spoken word artist, and writer from Rexdale whose work exists at the intersection of healing, truth-telling, and Blackness. A graduate of the Etobicoke School of the Arts for acting and a self-taught multidisciplinary creative, Shani transforms her lived experiences into art that speaks to resilience, community, and the inner worlds of children. She first knew she was aligned with art when she realized creativity could be found in every corner of life.
Growing up, Shani found inspiration in the art she saw in everyday life. While the pursuit of art hasn’t been simple and will never be—navigating perfectionism, meaning, and the weight of truth—these challenges have shaped her into a fearless storyteller. Shani’s influences include Black identity, community, Rexdale, and a deep calling to help children heal through creativity. Her journey has been shaped by both formal education and self-driven exploration, taking the discipline of her acting background and fusing it with the vulnerability and rhythm of poetry.
For Shani, art is not only a craft but also a form of service—one rooted in the belief that sharing her truth creates space for others to see and heal themselves. Her writing remains anchored in the community and identity that inspired her from the start, and that will always be at the heart of her work.
"Sisters Through Love, Not Blood"
Film, Spoken Word, and Collage by Shani “Bancoisna” Green — Artist Statement [EXCERPT]
I am a loud writer with a deep mind. I produce real feelings and real art, and nothing can silence me. I use art to be part of the solution, to heal myself, and to help heal others—if someone can feel, they can heal. For this piece, I focused on a phrase that is often used without truth: “I love you.” I broke it into three concepts. For the “I,” I created a film for my sister who passed away, called “Sisters Through Love, Not Blood.” I took on the role of caring for her siblings, who are now my godchildren. For “Love,” I wrote a spoken word piece to help people understand what love is, what it isn’t, and how it has changed for me—what it once was and what it is now. For “You,” I built a visual collage of moments and people I love, showing that love can be felt deeply without needing to say the words.
Love is endless. It lasts forever. The intent behind my project is to encourage people to see love differently and to recognize the love within themselves and the people around them. I hope it inspires others to love themselves first, because the energy we put into the world comes back to us. Loving yourself allows you to love others, creating a cycle of healing and peace and a step toward a better world. My legacy will be art that heals, supports, and inspires, especially for the younger generation, who need those reminders most.