performances

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The Gullah people of Coastal Georgia and South Carolina have always demonstrated tremendous strength and tenacity.  Much of this can be attributed to their strong connection to their African roots.  Griot and Master Storyteller Lillian Grant-Baptiste will use the art of storytelling to bring the Gullah culture and history to life.  She will skillfully demonstrate how storytelling   was used during slavery and beyond as tools of resistance, reflection, reformation, and reconciliation.  Lillian promises to enlighten, inform, and entertain.  The young and old alike will be caught up and mesmerized by the magic and mystic of the stories and folktales from the Gullah tradition.     

The Gullah traditions and history is such a tremendous part of the Coastal Georgia and South Carolina Culture.  The Gullah women throughout history have demonstrated tremendous strength and tenacity.  They have also played pivotal role in preserving the history of the barriers Islands of Georgia and South Carolina.  Griot and Folklorist Lillian Grant-Baptiste will utilize storytelling to pay homage and tribute to the tenacity of the Gullah Geechee women.  The audience will be caught up in a magical time of fun, family, and storytelling.  This program promises to demonstrate the power and purpose of sisterhood.

 African Americans are the descendants of people who have been beaten but never broken and shaken but not shattered.  Educational consultant and Master Storyteller, Lillian Grant-Baptiste will use the art of storytelling to passionately tell the powerful stories of our ancestors.  Sister Baptiste will demonstrate how storytelling has historically been used as a tool to guide and strengthen.   Grant-Baptiste will transport the audience on a riveting journey back to a magical and imaginary time in our history when the “Animals use to talk” and “The People Could Fly”.  Throughout this program Lillian will continually demonstrate how storytelling can be used as an impetus to both reflect on our history and build the strength to face our present-day challenge

 Master Storyteller Lillian Grant-Baptiste will use poetry and storytelling to passionately tell the poignant and purposeful stories of hope, pride and creative expression that gave birth and rise to the Harlem Renaissance.  Grant-Baptiste will soulfully and creatively demonstrate how the Harlem Renaissance was not just artistic awakening, but a movement that ultimately transformed social disillusionment into self-determination and racial pride. This promises to an expressive and moving program.  

 High John the Conqueror was a mystical

character in African American folklore. He was said to have been a prince before he was sold

into slavery. He was known as a clever, witty man who was both a time traveler and shape

shifter and a revered, respected, and at times a powerful conjure man. Lillian will use

storytelling as tool to introduce the audience to this elusive and enigmatic figure. She will also

uncover some of the other hidden and untold stories of conjure and magic from the Gullah

tradition.

• Shimmy Bone: Tales of Laughter and Humor from Around the World
• Krik! Krak! Stories from the Haitian Tradition
• I Shall Not be Moved: Tales of Strength in Times of Turmoil 
• Upon this Rock: Stories from the African American Faith Tradition
• Juba this and Juba That! Stories of Family, Commitment and Unity
• Hambone, where you been? Stories and Games from the Gullah Tradition
• Hants, Witches, and the Boogie Man: Scary tales from the African Diaspora