P.O. Box 67722 Baltimore, Maryland 21215 ... news.pdf“Let the music speak for itself” – John...

Dr. MaryAnn Harris

Message From NABS President

The ABC’s Of NABS Involvement

Applaud yourself for joining NABS. Believe in the success of NABS.

Crave books and read daily. Dash! Up and join a NABS committee.

Exhale! Sign up for a life membership. Film your story for feedback. Go! Apply

for the 2014 Festival awards or featured teller. Hook up with a community group.

Imagine a $100,000 community storytelling grant. Join Friends Of The Library.

Kudos to new NABS members. Link up with others, make stories come alive.

Motivate youth to read, write and perform. Navigate your way to poetry

in April. Open doors buy tickets to performances. Please be the PR chairperson.

Quality storytellers are made not born. Reward others with treats.

Showcase NABS as the PUBLIC RELATIONS Chairperson. Travel NABS

“timeless” journey. Up‐lift your spirits. Visualize your values,

traditions, and heritage. Write stories, poems, thoughts, and publish. X out

silently, listen and move forward. You are the keeper of your Dreams. Zero in and take action, envision and explore.

P.O. Box 67722 Baltimore, Maryland 21215 www.nabsinc.org Spring 2014

National Association of Black Storytellers

Board of Directors

Co-FoundersLindaGossPhiladelphia,PA

MaryCarterSmith(Ancestor)Baltimore,MD

PresidentDr.MaryAnnHarrisEastCleveland,OH

President-ElectKaren“QueenNur”Abdul-MalikWillingboro,NJ

SecretaryKayMerrillBaltimore,MD

TreasurerDeborahPierce-FakunleBaltimore,MD

Past PresidentAkbarImhotepAtlanta,GA

RobertSmith,Jr.Baltimore,MD

DianeWilliamsMadison,MS

JimmyCaldwellBrokenArrow,OK______________________

Executive DirectorVanoraFranklinLegaux

Publisher NationalAssociationofBlackStorytellers,Inc.

EditorSharonJordanHolley

Contributing Editors QueenNurLindaGorhamElishaMinterDylanPritchettJaniceCurtisGreeneJackiaBoydKookiDavisLindaCousins-NewtonMaryAnnHarris

Photo: JT Smith

Let us applaud them and sing their praises. CONGRATULATIONS! ASANTE SANA!The winning historians will receive a variety of zawadis including textiles, artifacts, and books.

ASANTE SANA! THE FOLLOWING NABS MEMBERS DONATED BOOKS:

Gloria Black Wanda Harrison Willa Brigham Sharon Holley Karen Burdnell Verna Muthoni Bunjo Butler Dylan Pritchett {autographed} D. Lynne Distance Martha Ruff Sharon Draper {autographed} Thomas S. Southern Lyn Ford {autographed} Eleanora E.Tate Janice C. Greene {autographed} Diane Williams {autographed} MaryAnn Harris Jean Pouncil-Burton

Art cards donated by Gretchen Shannon Textiles and artifacts courtesy of Mama Linda provided by The MudCloth Man and Kooki Davis One of the bonus questions from the NABS StoryBoard Game was: Who is THE VOICE of NABS? {For the answer dial 410-947-1117}

Spread the world with love, Mama Linda

“One monkey don’t stop no sho’.” – Mama Mary Carter Smith

“Let the music speak for itself” – John Coltrane

Ring-a-ling-ling! Ring-a-ling-ling! Ring-a-ling-ling!EXTRA! EXTRA! READ ALL ABOUT IT!

MAMA LINDA ANNOUNCES THE WINNING HISTORIANSOF THE NABS STORYBOARD GAME

1st Place Historians fromthe NABS Board are:Team Dr. MaryAnn Harris,President, CABS Member,and Jimmy Caldwell

1st Place Historians from the NABS Membership are:Team Sharon Holley and Saundra Bush-Williams, Tradition Keepersof Western, NY, Buffalo

2nd Place Historians fromthe NABS Board are:Team Kay Merrill, Secretary, Griots’ Circleof Maryland, and Bob Smith Presidentof the Griots’ Circle of Maryland

2nd Place Historian fromthe NABS Membership is:Dr. Joyce C. Duncan, African Folk Heritage Circle of NY, NY

3nd Place Historian fromthe NABS Membership is:Gloria Black, Tradition Keepersof Western, NY, Buffalo

2

Dr. MaryAnn Harris
















Dr. MaryAnn Harris

Message from thenabs President

anytime.

be the Fund Development Chairperson.

Dr. MaryAnn Harris
















3

Spring 2014

32nd Annual National Black Storytelling FestivalLighting The Way: Story Talkin’, Rhythm Walkin’

What a time we had in Hampton for the 31st Annual National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference! A few memorable occasions come to mind…

• First, Linda Jenkins Brown Nia Award presented in historic Ogden Hall on Hampton University campus during our Opening Gala• Renaming the Circle of Elders Award to Brother Blue Circle of Elders Award. • Ceremony held under the Emancipation Oak, that site where the first Southern reading of the Emancipation Proclamation took place 150 years earlier, to the year. • Renaming the Youth Award to Baba Jamal Koram Harambee Youth Award.• Youth Concert • Youth Participation• The Marketplace• Featured Tellers: Willa Brigham, Mitch “Gran’daddy Junebug” Capel, Linda Gorham, Onawumi Jean Moss, Oba William King, Antonio Rocha, Sonia Sanchez, Cheryl “Sparkle” Mosley and Tejumola Ologboni• Silent (ticketed) and live auction• Youth and Adult Liars’ Contest• Breakfasts followed by interactive workshops

All who attended rekindled smiles, laughs and stories!!!

Now, we move on to Chi-Town with our theme, Lighting The Way…Story Talkin’, Rhythm Walkin’. ASE - The Chicago Association of Black Storytellers are our co-hosts and awaiting to share their city and community with their NABS family! Planning is going on, as you read this, for another memorable NABS Festival and Conference, kicked up a notch! If you’ve been attending throughout the past years, you know we always say that…and we deliver!!! Ever changing…ever adding…always striving to present you, our members, the best storytelling Festival and Conference possible. You deserve nothing less. Our storytelling ancestors and others command us to always remember our journey. They demand it!

We look forward to hearing some new storytelling voices at this year’s 32nd annual reunion! Opportunity is still what we’re about. Our standards are high. Yet, our door is always open for those who, every day, make it their business to ‘Spread The Word!’ Not everyone may grace the NABS concert stage. However, everyone has an opportunity to share their stories and talents during the Festival and Conference!

Start saving your nickles and dimes! Put your coat in the cleaners! Get some mudcloth dresses and thickly woven kente slacks! It might be hot in the hotel but you might want to step out de do’!

This year in Chicago we’re going to have another Blackstorytelling, respectful, laughing, hugging, sharing, NABS good time! That’s what we do…”In The Tradition…”

MEMBERS OF ASE: THE CHICAGO ASSOCIATION OF BLACK STORYTELLERS ARE GETTING EXCITED!

We will be ‘Lighting the Way … Story Walkin’, Rhythm Talkin’ on November 12-16, 2014. There’s so much good news about the “In the Tradi-tion…” 32nd Annual National Black Storytelling Festival and Conference to share!

We recently secured our hotel. It is the Hilton/Chicago Oak Lawn and it is only three miles from Midway Airport (a hub of Southwest Airlines). The hotel is completely renovated, it has free Wi-Fi in the rooms, it offers free shuttles from Midway Airport, and it is close to the south side of Chicago. We feel this location will be perfect for ASE’s many supporters and fans. The hotel also has an award-winning bar and restaurant. I’ve eaten there twice and I’m eager to go again! Just in case you like variety, there are other restaurants within walking distance, a Walgreens yards away, and shopping malls within a few blocks.

As for the conference, come early! We are planning to bring the best professional Chicago artists together for an exciting Wednesday night concert. We are inviting nationally known artists in the field of jazz, blues, spoken word, and more to join our storytellers in a tribute to the power of story in all its forms. We can’t tell you their names yet. Stay tuned!

And something new for the festival and conference, we’re planning a dance party on Friday night. That’s right, a dance parTAY! I don’t believe NABS has ever done that before. After the “ In The Tradition…”Concert, get ready for a little Electric Slide, try your hand at Wobble Wobble, and learn how to do ‘Chicago Steppin.’ You simply can’t come to Chicago without experiencing the best dance instructors and DJ’s we have to offer!

Chicago may not be the ‘Center of the Universe,” as claimed by Baltimore’s Griot Circle members, but it sure will be a great place to come next November. Bring your dancing shoes and a few friends!

Linda Gorham ASE Co-founder and member Co-chair Festival Director 2014

Dylan PritchettFestival Director

NABS YOUTH ON THE MOVE!Ready, Willing and Able

4

Eyes proudly aglow, youth, adults and

elders gathered around the Emancipation Tree at Hampton University to pay homage

to the ancient tradition and the spirits of

those who heard the Emancipation

Proclamation read at that historic spot. “We’re connected”, the ancestors related;

and we truly were on that Saturday morning

after three wonderful days of collaboration and gaining knowledge from engaging

workshop leaders, spoken word artists, and

tellers at In the Tradition, the 31st NABS

Festival and Conference.

Our youth were ready, willing, and able to

help wherever needed and performed as

troopers, sharing with several first-time

attendees, youth and elders. They willingly worked together as a unit to create a great

youth program. A major incentive of the

youth workshops has been that the attendees share knowledge, insights, and

inspirations gained from the workshops as

well as the overall conference.

As a result of the inspirational sharing of

Sis. Sharon Holley in the workshop, “Talking ‘Bout My Family”, our youth took to heart

the encouragement to not only find out

about their immediate families but also their NABS family. The youth were given packets

at registration to complete by interviewing

NABS Elders and other members about the

history of the organization.

Sis. Gloria Keaton, Emily Bailey and Queen Nayla’s workshop on creating a story doll

and box drum also added to the excitement

of learning about our history, an activity that youth and adult participants alike enjoyed.

The workshops attendees came away with

tangible proof of how we can work together

to make something wonderful happen.

Our youth program culminated with

youngsters from several affiliate groups participating with music and storytelling in

the tradition. In addition, there were three

winners from our first ever NABS Scavenger

Hunt. This year’s Youth Awards were presented by NABS Co-Founder, Mama

Linda Goss, Baba Jamal Koram, Affiliate

Director, and Mother Elisha T. Minter, National Youth Director. The youngsters

presented gifts to Mama Linda and Baba

Jamal as a token of their love and esteem for them. Many of the youth in attendance

also participated in the youth Liar’s Concert.

The energy and talent displayed ensured

that this storytelling tradition will be skillfully

carried forward.

The Youth Department is under

reconstruction; however, our main goal

remains to reach as many youth in as many cities as possible to foster the love of “In the

Tradition” Black storytelling. With sincere

hope and enthusiasm, we encourage all

affiliates to strive to develop actively functioning youth components in their cities

and to make it a goal to bring at least two or

more youth to the NABS Festival each year. We would also encourage representatives

in each host city for the conference to invite

and sponsor youth from their cities to attend the NABS Festival and Conference in both

their hometowns and other venues.

It is onward to Chicago this year, and as the

wind blows in the Windy City, so will our

programs move our youth onward and upward to greater stories, greater tales

about our wonderful history and spoken

words about our legacy. We urge these talented youth to never give up but to walk

in the footsteps of the ancestors to higher

heights and deeper depths.

Asante’ Sana – Mother Elisha Minter

Kellon,

Mama Linda's Traveling Storytellers are alive & well.

During February we have performed at Bon Secour Hospital, Unified Community

Connections (formerly United Cerebral Palsy) and the League for the Handicapped for

an audience of Autistic youth. This group of Griots’ Circle Members is committed to

sharing our gifts with individuals triumphing over physical and mental illness. Many

organizations that care for these individuals function on limited budgets and cannot

afford to pay for the services we render. In the name of our co-founder, Linda Goss,

and in celebration of her personal triumph over illness, Mama Linda's Traveling

Storytellers will continue this mission.

Janice Curtis Greene

5

Spring 2014

Mama Linda’s Traveling Storytellers are Alive & WellDuring February we have performed at Bon Secour Hospital, Unified Community Connections (formerly United Cerebral Palsy) and the League for the Handicapped for an audience of Autistic youth. This group of Griots’ Circle Members is committed to sharing our gifts with individuals triumphing over physical and mental illness. Many organizations that care for these individuals function on limited budgets and cannot afford to pay for the services we render. In the name of our co-founder, Linda Goss, and in celebration of her personal triumph over illness, Mama Linda’s Traveling Storytellers will continue this mission.

Janice Curtis Greene

The Mama Linda Goss Induction CommitteeThe Mama Linda Goss Induction Committee (formerly known as the Enshrinement Committee) would like to thank all who were able to purchase and support the Mama Linda’s Bell Dolls fundraising effort. We want to keep the fires burning so that Mama Linda Goss’ likeness can soon be a part of the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore, MD. We are so proud that our Co-Founders will be honored and recognized on this national level. This gives merit to NABS and all of us individually as storytellers as well.

Inspired by Mama Linda’s Bell Dolls and in keeping with the spirit of storytelling Kooki Davis, a member of the committee, has created the carnival stilt walker “Moko Jumbles” pin asa contribution to the fund.

[email protected] 205.397.7917

6

ON THE NABS ROAD …(WITH THE PHENOMENAL BLACK SEMINOLES)

Having been blessed to have attended the last three NABS festivals--(those of you who have attended decades of these festivals are most fortunate!)--well, as I was saying, for the last three years, I seem to always have been coming to this entrancing ancestral event in the company of those whom I call “the phenomenal Black Seminoles”.

When I attended the 2011 NABS Festival in Atlanta, I served as a panelist on the Blacks in the Civil War discussion. It was an honor to relate information on how a large contingent of the Black and Red Seminoles fought valiantly on the side of the Union forces and as they had done in Florida when the “Sunshine State” was foreign terrain, distinguished themselves as a mighty force to be reckoned with when it came to liberty pursuits. So warmly was the presentation received that I was told by two NABS movers and shakers, “You need to do a workshop on the Seminoles.”

Well, in 2012 at the festival held in Baltimore, I did not lead a workshop, but those phenomenal Black Seminoles were nonetheless ever so present at the festival with me. My roommate, Bertie (“Ayanna”) Newbern, hails from Florida--prime Seminole historical territory — and is quite enthusiastic about Seminole history. As a result of the warm sistership bond we formed, Ayanna invited me to her home to attend the annual Seminole reenactment with her and her family. (A wonderful compliment to a Black Seminole reenactor/storyteller. Hope to join you for that one fine day, Ayanna!) When we returned home from yet another thrilling NABS cultural adventure, she sent a treasured gift, Sandspun, a book of Florida stories, including a very special albeit fictional story on--you guessed it--the Black Seminoles.

In 2013 the workshop spoken of back in 2011 manifested itself. A group of warm, enthusiastic, information-hungry attendees--a presenter’s dream--made the months of prayer and preparation well worth all of the effort. They appeared to love the interweaving of my personal life experiences with the Black Seminoles with the little known historical facts of those who were indefatigable movers on the international underground railroad in the 1800’s. The attendees relished the viewing of the selection of items brought from my Seminole memorabilia collection--from a colorful, intricate patchwork jacket to a button from a military uniform found on a former Seminole battleground. Thankfully (sigh of relief ) I could go home with a much lighter suitcase as my book, FREE GLOBALLY - The International Railroad, and bookmarks created by the kente weavers of Kumasi, Ghana, quickly found book-loving and culture-embracers owners with whom to travel.

A special historically intimate touch was added when Mama Edie after reading, at my request, a poem by a Seminole descendant, asked if she could also sing a Cherokee lullaby. Of course, we were all delighted at the prospect. When she finished the heart-lifting refrain, one of the attendees with teary eyes related to her that that was the same lullaby her mother had sang to her as a child. Wow! More fabulous NABS memories for the treasure chest of Life.

Everywhere I go, you, my ancestors, are on the same road. I have loved to my heart’s depth every NABS experience of which I’ve been blessed to partake; I have traveled over the years, the decades, with wisdom-gathering and knowledge-sharing on these phenomenal Black Seminoles. I guess it’s just spiritual synchronicity that I would continuously travel with them on the National Association of Black Storytellers Festival road.

Linda Cousins-Newton

7

Summer 2014

Performance Nightmares by Linda GorhamMy father used to say, “Proper prior planning prevents poor performance.” He was right. When we go out to perform, we need to plan and prepare – a lot! But no matter how carefully we plan, things can go wrong! One night after a concert, some tellers and I lamented about our storytelling nightmares. Here are a few of our true stories. Enjoy and be forewarned!

I wish I had asked: Will a helicopter be landing next to me during my show? Which door should I use to get in the building? Will anyone be making announcements over the PA system during the show? Will the seniors be expecting Bingo? Will the sound system be a battery-powered megaphone? Will half of the students be leaving for band practice in the middle of my show?

I should have realized: That if there were several contact people, things would go wrong.

That no one was going to be in the room with me to supervise the children. That when they asked me if I was flexible, that would mean upon arrival I would learn they wanted six shows instead of three. That preschool students would be attending the show for eight graders. That I needed to tell them how I wanted the chairs set up before I arrived. That while a teacher can control twenty-five kids, a parent cannot control one. That I needed my contact’s cell phone number.

I wish I had stipulated: That a parking space would be reserved for me in advance. That I would go on before the sugary treats were served. That I would not perform near a cappuccino machine. That they would provide me with a bottle of room temperature (not iced) water. That they would not introduce me by saying (on a very hot day), “Ice cream will be served as soon as the storyteller is finished.” That the teachers would leave their homework in their classrooms.

I wish I had: Charged more!

I wish I had said: It sounds as if you have plenty of activities. You don’t need a storyteller.

I’m not the best storyteller for your needs. (Let me give you the names and numbers of other tellers you should call.) Sorry, I’m already booked that day. No, thank you!

[email protected] www.LindaGorham.com

Queen Nur Presenter for Opening Ceremony & Panelat NSN Conference

Thursday, July 24th, 7:30-9:30 pm

Kindling Community Connections through StoryQueen Nur is one of three presenters from diverse backgrounds that will present successful projects and techniques

using storytelling to build community understanding at the upcoming NSN Conference.

_________________________

So, what membership benefits does NABS have to offer it’s membership? Glad you asked!! Look what’s happening!

Our next webinar series will be Blackstorytelling Got BASS (Birth, Arrival and Sustainability)presented by Keepers of the Culture (KOTC) in four parts. Look forward to upcoming dates.

2nd Annual Storytelling Contest“Lighting The Way: Stories of Our Heroes/Sheroes, Past and Present, In Our Homes, Our Community and in Our Nation.”

Deadline: September 21, 2014 • Cash PrizesFree Festival Registration for 1st Place Winners, storytelling books and CDs. For full details go to our website: www.nabsinc.org

NABS ONLINE STORE: COMING SOON

Peace and blessings,Mama Edie Armstrong, Chair, NABS Membership Committee

Post Office Box 67722 • Baltimore, Maryland 21215

Photos from NABSat Hampton, Virginia

Storytellers at the historical markerfor the first Africans in Virginia. Photo: Linda Cousins-Newton

NABS Elders Onawumi Jean Moss,David Sankofa Anderson, Mama Linda Goss.

Photo: Sharon Jordan Holley

Look for the launching of our New Website and be sure

to

Like, Tweet, Pin and Blog with us!

Get Social

with NABS Get Socialwith NABS

Social MediaBlog www.nabsinc.org

Twitter link: https://twitter.com/NABStalkingPinterest Link: http://pinterest.com/nabstalking

Facebook Link: www.facebook.com/Black-Storytellers-NABS

Like, Tweet, Pin and Blog With Us!

P.O. Box 67722 Baltimore, Maryland 21215 ... news.pdf“Let the music speak for itself” – John...

Documents

Transcript of P.O. Box 67722 Baltimore, Maryland 21215 ... news.pdf“Let the music speak for itself” – John...