TRADITION KEEPERS: BLACK STORYTELLERS OF WESTERN NEW YORK

Annual Report – NABS 2015

When we responded “Imani” to the greeting of “Habari Gani?” on January 1, 2015 the members of Tradition Keepers: Black Storytellers of Western New York were prepared to tell the stories that would empower, heal, touch and make a difference in our community in 2015.

In February, Carmen Swan, Yvonne Harris, and Denise Acosta participated in Historical Stories at the Nash House Museum for Black History Month. Also, on a separate date, several TK members along with the Daughters of Creative Sound were featured at the Global Concepts School in Lackawanna, NY. We All Storytellers, Sharon Holley and Karima Amin with vocalist Joyce Carolyn and poet/percussionist Seku Ba Jehudi presented their 25th Annual “Along This Way: Storytelling in the African Tradition” Concert on February 14, 2015 at the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library.

“Reading is Grand” a free program focusing on the importance of promoting, preserving, and perpetuating African traditions and experiences through the art of storytelling was presented by Yvonne Harris (Big Momma Boo) and Joy O’Banion at the Merriweather Library on March 14. Through the recitation of family stories, youth and seniors were encouraged to better understand their heritage and to record their stories in a journal that was displayed at the library. Reading Is Grand was supported through a grant from the Black Caucus of the American Library Association. Sandra Williams Bush was the library’s Manager. Two regular storytellers programs for youth were also presented by TK members in March and October.

“Tell Me A Story – 7” was held on April 25 and featured a presentation by Tradition Keepers of “Griot Stroll: Along Buffalo’s Historic Michigan Avenue Corridor” with narration, slides and music. Morning workshop sessions were: How to Become a Storyteller, How to Tell a Poetic Story, Researching Stories, and I Can Tell, Too: Youth Storytelling.

“Git On Da Bus” our 12th Annual Storytelling Crawl continues to be a hit. This year, the community traveled on two buses to enjoy Black Storytelling at four mystery locations. Our themes and locations were: “Ain’t No Stoppin’ Us Now” – WUFO Radio Station, “Rags to Riches” – One Man’s Junk is Another’s Treasure, “What’s Love Got To Do With It” – Greater Refuge Temple of Christ Church and “40 Acres And A Mule” – Juneteenth Headquarters. This is a pre-Juneteenth activity and we also participate at the Heritage Tent at the Juneteenth Festival and at the Maafa Celebration at the water’s edge.

Summer Gathering of TK members was held at Martin Luther King Park in August. Good food and fellowship was the agenda for the day. When TK resumed meetings in September, new officers were installed: President – Yvonne Harris, Vice President – Denise Acosta, Secretary – Pam Edwards, Corresponding Secretary – Sharon Amos, Treasurer – Paulette Harris, Historian – Karima Amin, Past President – Sharon Holley. We are looking forward to the continuation of TK and NABS mission as well as new programs and growth. Denise Acosta represented TK at the Nash House Museum for Smithsonian Day Live on September 25th. Her story of a young Mrs. Frances Jackson before her marriage to Rev. J. Edward Nash was told at the beginning of the Nash House Tour.

November will see at least 10 members of TK attending “In The Tradition…” 33rd Annual National Black Storytelling Festival & Conference, November 12-15, 2015 in Arlington, VA. Upon our return several TK members will also collaborate with Spin-A-Storytellers Group for Tellabration on November 21 at the Trinity Performing Arts Center.

TK Members will once again participate at Buffalo’s Kwanzaa Celebration in December.

From TK’s membership, Sandra Williams Bush serves on NABS National Board as Secretary and Sharon Holley serves as Chair of the Editorial Committee.

Respectfully submitted,

Sharon Holley (Past President)

Yvonne Harris (President)