Denise Lyles-Cook
aka The ORACLE
Book:
Massage & Movement Therapy
My Music:
Birthdate:
March 21st
Teacher, Entrepreneur, Author, Entertainer...
Two times Spoken Word Billboard Award Winner, Poet, Spoken Word Artist, Motivational Speaker, Educator, Actor and Award Winning Author, Denise Lyles-Cook, is The ORACLE.
The ORACLE focuses on “holding the mirror of life that you may see your own truth.” She makes people feel good about themselves. She says, “Like Malcheventa Melchezadeck, I say what people need to hear. It may not be what they want to hear, though my words ultimately point out the good and positive aspects of who they are.”
Denise is a prolific writer, authoring two published books of poetry, a children’s book series, Oracle Cards, a motivational book series, producing and performing on her album titled I Gotta Story To Tell and two music videos, Freedom Wakes Me Up & American Soldier We Care. She is a captivating performer lighting stages up, from Reggae On The River in 2005, to the 2012 Obama inaugural celebrations in D.C., to the UN in 2012 & 2013, and on stage Off Broadway, at SoHo Playhouse, NY and at the Cockpit Theatre in London, England, both in 2025.
The ORACLE received her Spoken Word Billboard awards in 2012 & 2013 and was inducted in the International Who’s Who in Poetry and nominated for Poet Laureate, Los Angeles in 2014. She was featured in Sallie Davies’ California Dreamers in 2023 and in May of 2024, she was honored by Diverse Verses L. A. for her lifetime contributions to Poetry and Spoken Word and the community and winning the top Hollywood Fringe Festival International Fringe Encore Series landing her on Off Broadway, February 2025. As an ensemble member of the play, Gil Scott-Heron BLUESOLOGY, she has been nominated in eight categories for the 2026 NAACP Theatre Awards, and is honored for a return performance of the play in the June 2026 Hollywood Fringe Festival at the Hudson Theatres, Hollywood, CA.
She is a featured artist performing regularly at private and community events and her works represent her true nature and are summed up in The ORACLE’s mantra, “in all ways remember to love yourself, 24/7, 365, because if you don’t, humph, who will?!”.
The ORACLE is here to Speak with you….
Life Experience
June 2025 - April 2026
Jan 1979 - June 1982
February 2016
Multi-talented, quadruple threat, Singer, Actor, Dancer, Motivational Speaker Denise L. Cook, artistically known as The ORACLE, has ventured into the exciting eclectic realm of Spoken Word Artistry, winning two coveted Spoken Word Billboard Awards. The first for ranking her the #1 Spoken Word/ Poet Artist of the Year. The ORACLE’s mantra, “all-ways remember to love yourself” listen to her internationally radio show The ORACLE Speaks With:YOU! An Inner City Cultural Center Alumnus.
What people are saying: "Bright, fresh and inhected with an understanding of life as it is and as it could be, The Oracle's words on the page leap at the reader with an embrace as an old friend. In performance she is all the more thought provoking, motivating and relevant. And an experience to be savored and repeated again and again." Larry Carroll, President, Diversified Entertainment Group and former Local/National News Anchor
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Students say...
"She makes you feel good about yourself." "When she walks in the room , you know she's there. It's as if a bright white light has been turned on." The ORACLE made me cry because I saw and felt myself in her words. It was as if I had written then myself. How doeas she know exactly what to say?" "Ms. Cook made us feel like we mattered. Most teachers don't seem to care what teenagers think. Ms. Cook really cared."
Denise L. Cook is a consummate poetess, writer, performer and a wonderful person to know. She is dedicated and committed to excellence in her craft and delivers it with passion and most of all LOVE. Denise has the ability to draw upon her rich heritage, background and experience as an actress, dancer, writer and vocalists to make the connection with her work and her audience. Bring her to your event. Include her and in doing so you will embrace some of the authentic energy she possesses. ~. Ernest D. Dillihay
Awards & Honors
October 2013
October 2012
2013 Spoken Word Artist of The Year
Issued by Spoken Word Billboard Award · Oct 2013
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The ORACLE received her second Spoken Word Billboard Award for "Freedom Wakes Me up", from her CD "I Gotta Story To Tell". Funky, Island feel, with a message for FREEDOM of love, of life, of spirit. The ORACLE Speaks Truth ....
The ORACLE wins "Rising Ranking Artist of the Year" Lyrical Influence 2012
Issued by the Spoken Word Billboard Award · Sep 2012
Spoken Word Billboard Award for the smooth Jazz Lyrical sounds for
"Lunar Love Affair", cut #6 on the CD, "I Gotta Story To Tell"
