OUR BELOVED ANCESTORS - gone but never forgotten
KOTC Logo (c) 1996 Columbus Knox
SANKOFA
A symbol of Remembrance.
Bird of Sankofa, an African word from the Akan people of Ghana. The literal translation of the word and the symbol is “It is not taboo to fetch what is at risk of being left behind.”
The word is derived from the words:
SAN (return),
KO (go),
FA (look, seek and take)
Erma Holmes
Sunset : August 2020
Professional comedian, Erma revealed the humor in hue-man nature. Erma participated in our Love Night and Family Day programs. Her kind aura and cool comedy will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her, especially her KOTC family.
ERIC DORSEY HAMMOND
Dec. 9, 1991 - May 5, 2019
Our beloved Eric was the youngest, son of Irma Gardner-Hammond, past president of KOTC and little brother to Earl Hammond.
Eric was an original Watoto Of Joy, KOTC's youth component.
Eric was telling stories since his youth, a drummer, poet and artist. Eric possessed a very warm and loving personality.
Eric loved hip-hop and could bust a rhyme with the best of 'em. His dream was to get married, wear plaid shirts and live in the county. Sadly, Eric was taken from us, by a senseless random act of violence in Philadelphia.
Audrey Roll
Audrey Roll
Audrey Roll
Audrey Roll
Audrey Roll
Audrey was a brilliant and creative librarian, scholar and voice over artist who dedicated her life to the art of storytelling.
A early member of KOTC she will always be remembered for her bright and loving personality.
Audrey Roll
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Theresa Randall, Phd.
Theresa Randall, Phd.
Theresa Randall, Phd.
Theresa "Feathers In The Wind" Randall was a family counselor, storyteller and also hosted a storytelling TV program at Children's Hospital of Philadelphia.
She served as a Creative Director and was a warm and caring storyteller.
Vina Bright
Theresa Randall, Phd.
Theresa Randall, Phd.
Vina "Brightlocks" Bright was a Educator, Storyteller, and Musician extraordinaire. She loved life and constantly blended her talents to express and reflect her life. Her favorite Singer was Bernice Reagan, a fellow alumnae of Howard University and founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock. Vina's voice was similar to that of Bernice Reagan's.
Vina "Brightlocks" Bright was a Educator, Storyteller, and Musician extraordinaire. She loved life and constantly blended her talents to express and reflect her life. Her favorite Singer was Bernice Reagan, a fellow alumnae of Howard University and founder of Sweet Honey in the Rock. Vina's voice was similar to that of Bernice Reagan's. She was well known and loved in her spiritual community, always studying to seek the deeper truth. Vina was a healer, message therapist and herbalist.
Jeanette Mallory-Hill
Theresa Randall, Phd.
Jeanette Mallory-Hill
"Moonsong" retired as a health educator at Downingtown Middle School, PA. Owner/photographer of "Paparazzi by Appointment." She enjoyed taking photographs of storytellers in action.
Storytelling drew Moonsong to explore her first people ancestry. She is shown here portraying & telling the story of Lena Horne at KOTC's Family Day program.
Brenda "Doni" Johnson
Phillip "Abiodun" Harris
Phillip "Abiodun" Harris
Doni was a professional dancer who performed in NYC in "Golden Boy" with Sammy Davis, Jr. and a tour stint with James Brown. She also danced in several revue's at Smalls Paradise in Harlem, New York.
A devoted mother of 4, community activist, jewelry artisan and business woman. Her company trained and employed woman in home health care s
Doni was a professional dancer who performed in NYC in "Golden Boy" with Sammy Davis, Jr. and a tour stint with James Brown. She also danced in several revue's at Smalls Paradise in Harlem, New York.
A devoted mother of 4, community activist, jewelry artisan and business woman. Her company trained and employed woman in home health care services. Always culturally conscious, she joined KOTC for love of our culture and her sister, Oni Lasana
Phillip "Abiodun" Harris
Phillip "Abiodun" Harris
Phillip "Abiodun" Harris
Brother Abiodun, the original "Hip-Hop Pop Pop" and cultural activist.
Abuidyb blended modern poetry, African folktales and legendary Black-His Stories to life.
Faith Mbonu, Phd.
Phillip "Abiodun" Harris
Faith Mbonu, Phd.
Faith, an opera singer of freedom songs and teller of African folktales.
A resident of Ghana, Africa & Philadelphia, PA.,
Faith was a powerful melodic storyteller.
Phyllis Jackson
Phyllis Jackson
Phyllis Jackson
Phyllis was a peaceful storyteller, poet and an excellent writer. A community worker dedicated to helping young, troubled women to get their lives on track. She was a member of NABS and enjoyed attending several conferences. She was a dedicated KOTC member who worked tirelessly behind the scene Her forte was historical stories. She wil
Phyllis was a peaceful storyteller, poet and an excellent writer. A community worker dedicated to helping young, troubled women to get their lives on track. She was a member of NABS and enjoyed attending several conferences. She was a dedicated KOTC member who worked tirelessly behind the scene Her forte was historical stories. She will always be remembered for her poem, The Legend of Henry Box Brown, an enslaved man who escaped by mailing himself in a box from Virginia to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
Phyllis Jackson
Phyllis Jackson
Shirley Riley
Phyllis Jackson
Shirley Riley
Shirley is on the right with legendary storyteller, JACKIE TORRENCE (RIP) at the 1999 NABS conference in Winston Salem, NC.
Shirley hailed from New York City. A author of short stories and poetry books. She was KOTC's photographer and a powerful voice in the black consciousness movement.