Storytellers

Meet our featured guests who will share their stories through spoken word, song, dance, and activism. Our digital component allows festival goers to join us in spirit, even when they can't join in person. Pre-recorded digital performances include ASL & Spanish Language Interpretation.

Josephus Thompson III

In-Person & Digital Storyteller/Spoken Word Griot 

Carrington Kay

In-Person & Digital Band/Musical Griot

Kuumba West African Dance Co.

In-Person & Digital/Dance Griot

Fred Motley

 In-Person & Digital Storyteller/Word & Song Griot

The Emerald Fox

Digital Storyteller/ Mental Wellness & Health Griot 

Tyris Jones

In-Personl/ Spoken Word Griot

Tammy Tillotson

In-Person/Spoken Word Griot 

Dream Dance Studios

In-Person Dance Griot 

Katherine Guerrero Rivera

In-Person Mixed Medium Griot

Lawrence McWilliams

In-Person Mixed Medium Griot


Honorees

2024 Honorees

Josh Lucia

Smokestack Theatre Company

 

Tia Yancey

 

Laura Powell

 

Kris Dodds Williams

 

2023 Honorees

Bo M. Motley, PhD

 

Karen Williamson

 

Ebony B. Guy

 

Anne Gravely Moore

 

Kristen and Rick Barker

 

2022 Honorees

Karice Luck

Evelyn Riley

Traci J. Deshazor

Corey Williams

Edith Madera Yepez 

David Worrell

Gayle Breakley

Clyde McCoy Jr