(Sankofa) A Celebration Of Our Legacy! A Vision For Our Future!

(Sankofa) A Celebration Of Our Legacy! A Vision For Our Future!

Come join us at the Southwest Arts Center for a special event celebrating our past and looking towards the future. Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia will be celebrating 30 years of telling it well in the ATL! This is our big kickoff of events planned for 2025. This event is a unique opportunity to connect with our community, honor our heritage, and envision what lies ahead. Don't miss out on this chance to come together and celebrate our legacy while setting our sights on a bright future. We can't wait to see you there!

Additinally, Kuumba is an Affiliate of the National Association of Black Storytellers and will be Co-hosting its 43rd Annual Festival this fall!

Performers include:

Denise Chapman-Acosta

Denise Chapman-Acosta, is a retired Buffalo Public School speech language therapist, is a passionate storyteller and longtime member of the National Association of Black Storytellers, incorporated. She serves as Co-Director of the affiliate program, is a member of tradition keepers: black storytellers of Western New York and joined Kuumba storytellers of Georgia last year. A former Buffalo Bills cheerleader and current liturgical dancer, she enriches her storytelling with dance and djembe drumming. Awarded for her efforts, Denise most treasures her roles as a wife, mother, and child of God, feeling blessed to share her gifts with others.

Al Wiseman

Al Wiseman has been speaking, training and telling stories for over 30 years. He is a three-time Distinguished Toastmaster and the winner of many public speaking awards and recognition including Toastmasters’ statewide Humorous Speech and Evaluation Contests and The Moth StorySLAM. He has spoken on the TEDx stage, and is the host of the Atlanta Moth StorySLAM. He is a member of Toastmasters of Centerville; Kuumba Storytellers; Georgia Storytellers Network; the National Storytellers Network; and The National Association of Black Storytellers. Al is originally from Detroit, MI, and he currently resides in Stone Mountain, GA. Ted Talk by Al Wiseman -

Renee Brown

Renée L. Brown is a gifted storyteller and a member of Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia since 2020. She uses her personal and professional journey to inspire and ignite transformative change. Rooted in the belief that character defines success, Renée weaves stories of bravery, resilience, and purpose.

Renee Spratling

Ursula Renee Spratling, speaking under the name Auntie Renee, is an award winning, captivating storyteller, who puts her creative skills to use by performing storytelling and motivational speaking. She has performed in front of audiences with thousands of people. She is a member of Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia, Toastmasters International, and does monthly workshops. Originally from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, her stories sometimes include a Southern flare. She has lived in Atlanta for the past 20 years and now considers Atlanta home. Website - http://auntiereneestoryteller.com/

Deborah Strahorn

Deborah Strahorn has been an active storyteller for over 20 years. In 2003 her performances around the city included Wren’s Nest, Zoo Atlanta, Historic Oakland Cemetery, the Newman Wetlands, and several libraries. This year she will be featured at Phoenix Flies and present Prime Time literacy workshops. Memberships include Kuumba Storytellers and the National Association of Black Storytellers. In 2017 she published a children's book. "The Always Busy, Sometimes Quiet, Often Noisy Room," available on Amazon. Website - www.storiesn3d.org.

Christine ArinzeSamuel

Christine is a growing and inquisitive storyteller; growing up in rural Georgia in an extended family where elders always told stories. Her specialty is telling stories about quilts on the Underground Railroad and biographical stories. She is best known for her innovative one-woman performance, “Secrets of The Quilts” on the Underground Railroad as the great conductor Harriet Tubman. Christine’s performance history includes conventional theatre, educational theatre, film, and voice narration production. She is most appreciative of delighting her audience. As an Educator, she infused storytelling into her classroom during her tenure of 30 years having taught all grade levels. Website - kuumbastorytellers.org

Brenda Griffin

Author,writer,Atlanta native Brenda Griffin,aka,Queen StoryTeller joined Kuumba Storytellers in 2014 and holds membership in The National Association of Black Storytellers. Her soulful style captivates audiences from the Boardroom, classroom, civic organizations, churches and Atlanta's Jazz Festival. A graduate of Spelman college, she also earned a Master's in Social Work from Atlanta University. Pouring Libations,Queen StoryTeller encourages us to lift the name of our ancestors,reminding us to "Sharpen our Eyes and tune your Ears,so that you Know what you See and Understand what you Hear." Website - https://kuumbastorytellers.org/brenda-griffin-aka-queen-storyteller/

Youth Teller - Jerell Allen Smith

Kuumba Founding Member - Curtis Richardson

Host or Publisher Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia