EN

Translate:

  • AKWAABA!
  • ROOTS
  • ARTISTS
  • PROGRAMS
  • EVENTS
  • MEETINGS
  • JOIN
  • SPONSORS
  • WORKSHOPS
  • VIDEOS
  • PHOTOS
  • RESOURCES
  • ANCESTORS
  • More
    • AKWAABA!
    • ROOTS
    • ARTISTS
    • PROGRAMS
    • EVENTS
    • MEETINGS
    • JOIN
    • SPONSORS
    • WORKSHOPS
    • VIDEOS
    • PHOTOS
    • RESOURCES
    • ANCESTORS

EN

  • AKWAABA!
  • ROOTS
  • ARTISTS
  • PROGRAMS
  • EVENTS
  • MEETINGS
  • JOIN
  • SPONSORS
  • WORKSHOPS
  • VIDEOS
  • PHOTOS
  • RESOURCES
  • ANCESTORS

KEEPERS OF THE CULTURE, Inc.

KEEPERS OF THE CULTURE, Inc.KEEPERS OF THE CULTURE, Inc.KEEPERS OF THE CULTURE, Inc.

Philadelphia's Afrocentric Storytelling Group

Philadelphia's Afrocentric Storytelling Group Philadelphia's Afrocentric Storytelling Group

STORYTELLERS / MUSICIANS / AUTHORS / POETS

KOTC Logo (c) 1996 Columbus Knox

~ LIFE MEMBERS ~

KAREN "Queen Nur" ABDUL-MALIK

KAREN "Queen Nur" ABDUL-MALIK

KAREN "Queen Nur" ABDUL-MALIK

Past president of The National Association of Black Storytellers, Inc. and  of KOTC. 

Queen Nur was featured in Essence Magazine and recently facilitated a storytelling project in Cameroon, Africa.




NASHID FURAHA ALI

KAREN "Queen Nur" ABDUL-MALIK

KAREN "Queen Nur" ABDUL-MALIK

"Storyteller For Peace"

Before Black Panther...

we had Brother Ali, a multi-instrumental griot for peace & unity.

Nashid is also a jewellery artisan and master drummer. 



CHARLOTTE BLAKE - ALSTON

KAREN "Queen Nur" ABDUL-MALIK

CHARLOTTE BLAKE - ALSTON

A founding member of KOTC. Charlotte is a recent recipient of The National Association of Black Storyteller's Brother Blue Storytelling Award. 

Charlotte is a international Storyteller, Griot and Jeli. She is storyteller-in-residence for the Philadelphia Orchestra. 



RON "Poet Drummer" CARTER

CAROLIESE FRINK-REED, Phd.

RON "Poet Drummer" CARTER

Professional Drummer, Poet & Historical Re-enactor, Ron brings to life Frederick Douglas and other great men of color.

BARBARA EASLEY-COX

CAROLIESE FRINK-REED, Phd.

RON "Poet Drummer" CARTER

Sister Easley-Cox tells real life stories of her life and experiences as a member of the Black Panther Party. 

Her story  is published in the book;

They Carried Us: The Social Impact of Philadelphia's Black Women Leaders      

Baker-Rogers, Allener M.  

Congratulation Barbara, for telling your story, claiming your glory!



CAROLIESE FRINK-REED, Phd.

CAROLIESE FRINK-REED, Phd.

CAROLIESE FRINK-REED, Phd.

Storyteller, Librarian and Director of the National Association of Black Storytellers Festival & Conference. 

Dr. Frink Reed holds a PHD. in African American Studies and Folktales.

WANDA GIGETTS

ATIYA OLA SANKOFA

DARLENE MURPHY

Founding Member, Past President, Educator, Storyteller, Creative Director. Wanda tells folktales and real tales of the past and present for all ages.



DARLENE MURPHY

ATIYA OLA SANKOFA

DARLENE MURPHY

 Philadelphia poet, author and educator.  She has penned eight books, including African Animals A-Z a Book of Rhyme and Poetry. 

ATIYA OLA SANKOFA

ATIYA OLA SANKOFA

ATIYA OLA SANKOFA

Storyteller, Community Activist and Vegetarian, Vegan, Raw Food Advocate. Atiya Ola is the owner and chef of ATIYA OLA'S SPIRIT FIRST FOODS. 

Keepers Of The Culture Members 2021

NZINGA ASEL-EL

JANICE "JAWARA" BISHOP

JANICE "JAWARA" BISHOP

Mama Nzinga 

"The Poet"

is a Philly based Performing Artist.  She is still exciting her audiences by sharing her Jazz Poetry and Cultural Stories for the last two decades.

A Storyteller and Educator.  

Nzinga "The Poet", uses her Art to Educate, Motivate and Uplift!

Nzinga "The Poet" is available for : Live Performances, Workshops, Residencies, and Classes.


JANICE "JAWARA" BISHOP

JANICE "JAWARA" BISHOP

JANICE "JAWARA" BISHOP

A founding member of KOTC, Jawara tells her grandfather's tales, original and fictional stories. A published author, her story "The Crumb Snatchers" is published in "Jump Up and Say! A Collection of Black Storytelling"  edited by Linda and Clay Goss. 

KAREN BLAYLOCK

JANICE "JAWARA" BISHOP

KAREN BLAYLOCK

Sunshine, Sparkles & Stories!

Karen is also available in the state of Delaware.






PAUL D. BEST

BERNADETTE "BIRDY" ROGERS

DETRIA "DEE" MORRISON

"Our Sun Paul" is serving as our president and is also a middle school educator. 

Paul loves telling stories, personal, real and imaginary. 

A dynamic and humorous teller, he enjoys taking on characters and engaging everyone in his story circle. Youth focus, listen and learn interesting life lessons in his stories.



DETRIA "DEE" MORRISON

BERNADETTE "BIRDY" ROGERS

DETRIA "DEE" MORRISON

Dee is a spoken word artist & poet. She is one of our early members and a long time supporter of KOTC. 

She presently serves as our Vice-President.




BERNADETTE "BIRDY" ROGERS

BERNADETTE "BIRDY" ROGERS

BERNADETTE "BIRDY" ROGERS

 "Ms. Birdy" made her debut performance in Kwanzaa 2018. She also serves as our Recording Secretary.  




IRMA GARDNER-HAMMOND

IRMA GARDNER-HAMMOND

IRMA GARDNER-HAMMOND

 "Storytelling Irma" - past president, is a life time advocate for inter-generational storytelling. 

A historical re-enactor and singer with guitar in hand, she brings alive stories with music and interactive songs for all ages. 



TOURE' CLARK

IRMA GARDNER-HAMMOND

IRMA GARDNER-HAMMOND

BERNADENE DAVIS

IRMA GARDNER-HAMMOND

BERNADENE DAVIS

"Momma Bernadene" is a author, book publisher, songwriter and vocalist. Her workshop offerings include poetry, personal development, social sustainability and celibacy. She is also a member of International Book Publishers Association.



JOANN FRASIER DASENT

JOANN FRASIER DASENT

JOANN FRASIER DASENT

Storyteller and mentor, Joann is also the founder of ROOTS, Regenerating Our Offspring Through Stories, Inc. "Auntie Jo Jo" retold and published Aesop's fable, "A Farmer, His Son and Their Mule: A Teachable Moment." 





YOUR SPACE

JOANN FRASIER DASENT

JOANN FRASIER DASENT

Our elder have the best stories, we encourage arm chair raconteur's or seasoned tellers to join our circle.

MAMA CARLA WILEY

BROTHER GRIOT!


 

BROTHER GRIOT!

MAMA CARLA WILEY

BROTHER GRIOT!

We are calling out your name in our story!  If you are an aspiring or professional storyteller, griot, author, musician, dancer, poet, performing or teaching artist, this is your space.


MAMA CARLA WILEY

MAMA CARLA WILEY

MAMA CARLA WILEY

"Mom Read" is a librarian, storyteller of folktales, real tales and historical events.  A sharer of stories for everyone and all ages. 



REV. DENISE TROUTMAN-WOOTEN

REV. DENISE TROUTMAN-WOOTEN

REV. DENISE TROUTMAN-WOOTEN

Dr. Denise M. Wooten-Troutman is a mother and grandmother, a forty-year certified educator, Pastor of WDEBC Evangelistic Church, historical and biblical dramatist, motivational speaker, and the founder of DeMi Woo-T LLC.

BABA SETH YELDELL

REV. DENISE TROUTMAN-WOOTEN

REV. DENISE TROUTMAN-WOOTEN

African folktales! Told in the traditions of our elders. 

COUSIN MILLIE

REV. DENISE TROUTMAN-WOOTEN

COUSIN MILLIE

Family, folktales and famous folk stories from your favorite cousin! 



PAM PAM ROBB

PAM PAM ROBB

PAM PAM ROBB

 Pam  is a storyteller, writer, Poet, Photographer, recipient of the Martin  Luther King Jr, Freedom medal and a decorated Army Veteran. 

Mom Pamma  loves  telling stories, especially children's original and imaginary animal stories while using rain sticks. 

She is the author of a recorded story, How The Zebra Got His Stripes. 




JACKIE WIGGINS

PAM PAM ROBB

PAM PAM ROBB

Jackie is a docent at the historic Johnson House in Philadelphia. 

 

The Johnson House is a National Historic Landmark in the Germantown section  of Philadelphia, significant for its role in the antislavery movement  and the Underground Railroad.

YOUR SPACE!

PAM PAM ROBB

YOUR SPACE!

Become a Keepers Of The Culture Storyteller! 

We welcome aspiring & professional storytellers, artists, musicians, poets, & all creatives who are in support of our mission, to join us!

join kotc here!

Storyteller ? Collaborations ? Special Events ?

Book early for Black History Month! Please fill out this form. Thank you.

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.



 

AYA the Adinkra symbol of endurance and resourcefulness. 

The fern is a hardy plant that can grow in difficult places. 

"An individual who wears this symbol suggests that he has 

endured many adversities and outlasted much difficulty." 

(Willis, The Adinkra Dictionary)


With YOU : KOTC grows!

KOTC is a non-profit organization. 

Your generous tax-deductible donations will fund our mission. 


Your support will also allow us to bring quality arts-in-education programs to under served schools and neighborhoods in Philadelphia and in the PA, NJ, DE tri-state area.


KOTC accept checks or money orders via  KOTC  P. O. Box 15083, Phila. PA 19130.


ALSO, for your convenience feel free to securely submit your credit or debit card for membership payments or a donation by clicking on the PAY PAL  button below. 

Thank you!

Pay with PayPal or a debit/credit card
web site design & managed by Oni lasana

Stay connected to KOTC!


KEEPERS OF THE CULTURE, INC.

Philadelphia's Afrocentric Storytelling Group

P. O. BOX 15083  

Philadelphia, PA 19130


Copyright © 2022  Keepers Of The Culture, Inc.

 All Rights Reserved


  • SPONSORS
  • WORKSHOPS
  • VIDEOS
  • PHOTOS
  • RESOURCES
  • ANCESTORS

"Telling Our Story, Claiming Our Glory"

STAY TUNED!!!

KOTC will be returning to in-person meetings in the Fall of 2022. Fill out our contact form to join our mailing list and be updated on meetings and events.

Contact us