I grew up around a very animated
family. Every weekend my father got together with his sisters, cousins, friends
and they ate, drank liquor and told stories. All of them had kids so we would
be carted off to one room and told to stay there; however we never listened. As
soon as the coast was clear we would sneak to wherever they were and hide in
the shadows to listen. Many of the stories I heard, I would later repeat to my
friends. The kids thought I was the coolest thing since Tootsie Roll Pops! (I
know, I’m telling my age)
In 1995, I got a job working at
the library in the Children’s Outreach Department, where I met a woman that
told stories for a living. Imagine my surprise when I found out that this was a
legitimate business! I could not believe it! I accompanied one of the
storytellers to her program and was further surprised to see how the little
children were in total awe of her. I knew I could do this and wanted more
information about it.
She told me she was starting a
storytelling organization and invited me to attend a meeting with her the
following Saturday in Fayetteville, North Carolina. There were about twenty
people at the meeting, and the group was discussing the National Association of
Black Storytellers, Inc.’s mission statement, goals and objectives. In order to
be an affiliate of the Nationals there were certain things that we had to do.
At each meeting, someone was asked to share a story. I was mesmerized! I had so
many stories inside of me, and no one was telling that kind of story. Most of
the stories I heard were folktales, rarely did anyone tell a personal story and
I felt they were just as important. I believed from our personal stories, the
lesson behind folktales could be co-mingled.
My first storytelling festival
was held that same year in Philadelphia. Several of my co-workers were going to
go to the festival so, the library agreed to pay for the entire trip,
registration and our food. My friend and co-worker, Rhonda and I were going to
share a room together. When we arrived in Philly that morning, I walked around
the neighborhood checking it out. There were an Italian grocery store and
bakery around the corner and each morning they made fresh bread. I ate there
every single day we were in the city. The first event we went to was amazing.
We boarded a boat and road around the harbor while enjoy dinner, listening to
stories and drumming.
I never saw so many beautiful
people, all wearing colorful African clothing. Everywhere I looked there was
drumming, singing, dancing and of course, storytelling! I got to hear all types
of stories. It was truly eye-opening! I HAD to do this! I began to work on my
techniques alone, and then share my stories with my children because I knew
they would be honest and tell me whether or not I was holding their interest.
The North Carolina Association of
Black Storytellers, Incorporated became
an affiliate of the Nationals, and our membership began to grow. Everyone I met
I told about the organization and many people joined us. In 1999, we hosted the
National festival here. I worked hard to make our festival a success. I was so
busy running around doing things for the festival, and I missed it. I don’t
know if it were good or not!
Since then, I have been fortunate
to be on the stage at the National Black Theatre Festival for the past ten
festivals. Members of NCABS have been on the stage at the National Black
Storytellers Festival and Conference. We have been guest storytellers at the
African American Cultural Festival in our state’s capital. The female members
of our group have shared slave narratives for the United States Colored Troops
Symposium and Conference that is held annual in various cities in NC and DC. We
give honor to world renowned storyteller, Jackie Torrance each year in her hometown
of Salisbury, NC. Our journey has taken us from Rochester to Tampa; from NC to
San Diego. It has been amazing! What’s your story?
