Affiliate of The National Association of Black Storytellers
Annual Report for 2013
Submitted by Robert A. Smith, Jr., President
Mama Linda Goss in Our Prayers
Mama Linda has been in our thoughts and prayers as
we ask God to supply her with all she needs spiritually
and physically and restore her health.
The Griots' Circle of Maryland mourns the loss of our
Recording Secretary, Patricia Dennis.
Our prayers also go out to members who experienced
the transition of family members: Fellisco Keeling,
Eslyn Hinmon and Cathy Pearson.
Mother Mary Carter Smith Legacy Award was
awarded to Baba Bunjo Butler.
Growing Griots Literacy Learning Program
(GGLLP)
Under the leadership of S. Bunjo Butler, the
Growing Griots Literacy Learning Program started a
seventh session. The Griots’ Circle has again
partnered with the Enoch Pratt Free Library, the
Greater Baltimore Chapter of the National Urban
League GBUL, the National Great Blacks in Wax
Museum and the Injured Workers’ Insurance Fund.
This 25 week cultural program improves reading,
writing, public speaking, and critical thinking with an
Afrocentric curriculum. The young people have
sessions on storytelling, oral history, genealogy,
African American history and library skills.
GGLLP students performed at the National Great
Blacks in Wax Museum bringing historical African
American Wax figures to life and the Greater
Baltimore Urban League Fundraiser and Gala. Griots’
Circle members who act as instructors and mentors for
the program are: Deborah Pierce-Fakunle, Janet Jones,
William Starke, Gail Harrison, and Janice Curtis
Greene.
Books, Plays, Awards and Special Appearances
The Griots’ Circle of Maryland congratulates 2013
Zora Neale Hurston Award recipients Barbara Eady,
Nothando and Vusimusi Zulu; 2013 Brother Blue
Circle of the Elders Inductees: Shoran Jordon Holley,
Oluremi Ann Oliver, Tejumolamal Ologboni, and
Caroliese Frink Reed; the Linda Jenkins Brown
Service Award Honorees: Bunjo Butler and Martha
Ruff; and 2013 Baba Jamal Koram Youth Awardees:
Nia Richardson and Grace Auls. Griot Kay Merrill
attended Congressional Black Caucus and registered as
a member of NABS - announced Storytelling Contest
at Congresswomen's Corine Brown's brain trust
..Passed out 400 flyers. She also appeared on WOLB
Larry Young morning show in promote NABS
Storytelling Contest. Griot Kay Merrill and Griot Bob
Smith appeared on WEAA Anthony McCarthy Radio
show to promote NABS, Storytelling Contest, Griots
Circle of Maryland, Growing Griots and Love Stories.
Mama Deborah, Creative Director - Growing Griots;
Instructor - Growing Griot Literacy Learning Program.
Mama Deborah Pierce Fakunle's activities include
2012 NABS Festival & Conference Workshop:
Lamba: Rhythm, Song & Dance Celebrating the
Jali (Mama Talk and Drum Talk - David, Mama
Deborah, Duane & Mama Cheryl).KWANZAA:
Growing Griots at Reginald Lewis Museum and
Growing Griots at Great Blacks in Wax Museum,
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Wombwork
Productions at Center Stage, Griot's Eye Youth
Film & Cultural Festival - Growing Griots &
Mamas Deborah and Cheryl, Mama Talk Fabric
Griot Workshop @The Living Well Center ,
Tunnel of Oppression @ Stevenson University Mama Talk, Attended Proposal Writing & Funding
Sources for Students, Artists & Individuals
The Thirtieth Annual "In the Tradition...National
Association Festival and Conference"
Griots’ Circle of Maryland P.O. Box 68064 Baltimore, MD 21215
www.griotscircleofmarylandinc.org
baltimoregriot@hotmail.com
410 788-3555
Workshop @ Pratt Library (March and September
2013)
Mama Talk @Hopewell Cancer Support Center
20th Anniversary (Mama Linda's traveling
Storytellers) Mama Talk @ Colonial Baptist Church
(Randallstown) Missionary Conference - 3/9/13
Wombwork Productions Performances: Child
Sexual Abuse (3/23/13), Why Women Cry
(4/1/13)@Hopkins Hospital, School Shows and
Virtures Workshops,
Mama Talk @Hopewell Cancer Support Center
20th Anniversary (Mama Linda's traveling
Storytellers) Mama Talk @Wade in the Water - July 2013,
Mama Deborah @Funk Feast - Virginia Beach August 2013, “ALL THAT JAZZ" @Stevenson
University - 9/9/13 (Sang Billie Holliday songs),
BALTIMORE BOOK FESTIVAL - 9/28/13 Growing Griots Literacy Learning Program, Mama
Deborah's Community Involvement includes:
Johns Hopkins Community Advisory Board(s) JCHIP (Obama Care) and Center to Reduce
Cancer Disparities, Project Race and CAB
Research Training. Mama Deborah says
I AM EAST BALTIMORE STORYBOOK
PROJECT - wrote a book: I AM BECAUSE WE
ARE AND BECAUSE WE ARE I AM. Currently
recruiting elders to share the history of East
Baltimore through their eyes and lives.
Love Stories Program
This year’s Annual Love Stories Program for adults
has the theme “Positive Reflection is the Key”. The
program was held on Sunday October 13, 2013 at the
Historic Arena Player Theater, which boasts Mother
Mary Carter Smith as one of its founding members.
This year’s tellers included Johembah Braswell, Gail
Parker Murry, and Mama Deborah Pierce Fakunle,
Robert Sonny” Wood, Simone Rollings, William
Starke and our own Mother Victoria L. Smith The
Emcee for the evening was Baba Jamal Koram.
Gail Parker Murry was a JuneteenthHelper/Supporter, Oakley Cabin- Teller, and Love
Stories- Teller
This is the first year for Bob Smith as President of the
Griots' Circle. I pray that I serve the organization well
and continue the vision, legacy and dream of our
founder and ancestor, Mother Mary Carter Smith and
my most excellent predecessor Janice Curtis Greene
with an "e" on the end.
Asante sana, Bob Smith
During the 2013 NABS year, Gwen Marable has
performed at the Benjamin Banneker Historical
Park and Museum, Oella, Md for audiences of
students from Pre-school thru High School and
for the Baltimore County Parks' Naturalists
Training Workshop. In addition, Gwen told the
Banneker story to 300 parents of students
enrolled in the SEMAA program at Morgan State
University, Baltimore City, Md.
Special Meeting
The Griots' Circle of Maryland, Inc. Meetings have
included Mini Workshops and at least one Story a
meeting.
Membership
The Griots Circle is now 60 plus members strong
including 23 Griots’ Circle Life Members & 38
NABS Members
Robert A. Smith, Jr. - President
Angela Roberts - Vice President
Gail Harrison- Recording Secretary
Ruth Wickham - Corresponding Secretary
Deborah Pierce-Fakunle - Treasurer
William C. Starke - Financial Secretary
S. Bunjo Butler, Director, Growing Griots' Literacy
Learning Program
Griots’ Circle of Maryland P.O. Box 68064 Baltimore, MD 21215
www.griotscircleofmarylandinc.org
baltimoregriot@hotmail.com
410 788-3555