A Year of Highlight
Black Storytellers of San Diego, Inc.
Summary Report—November, 2014---Present
November, 2014
*BSSD participated in a “Teller-Bration” at Malcolm X Library (Valencia Park Branch) (11/22)
Our youngest member told an informative, beautiful story regarding; Living with Williams Syndrome.
*Two BSSD members attended NABS Annual Conference November, 2014
December, 2014
*Community Garden Storytelling (Linda, Gwen)—sharing stories with students volunteering from UCSD to assist in the garden. Stories about sustainable food/food equity (12/6)
*Some school-supply shoe boxes (decorated by students at the Monarch School) andwere presented.
Worked in partnership with Malcolm X Library—Books –to-Action Grant
January, 2015
*MLK Parade, downtown San Diego--SDCCD- Individual teller (Gwen) participates in the celebration (01/18)
*Elder Flo Edmunds is an honorary member of the Public Health Institute (PHI). She was invited to share stories at their annual Conference in Oakland, CA (01/25)
February, 2015
*BSSD members were honored guests at the Mingei Museum’s reception to present Deborah Neff’s Black Dolls Collection. The members were able to observe and study these dolls from the 19th century and eventually write some of “their stories” for the upcoming presentation in April—entitled, “BLACK DOLLS SPEAK” (02/07)
*BSSD celebrates Black History Month at Tubman Chavez Elementary School (assembly program) (2/11)
*Vista Library celebrates Blacks History Month—Storytelling with the children (OJ and Dr. Almena Mozon) (2/11)
*BSSD participated in UCSD Black History event featuring Jeannie Cheatham. “The Kansas City Style: A Marriage of Blues and Jazz” (2/12) Mrs. Cheatham and her husband, the late Jimmy Cheatham were NABS –Zora Neal Hurston honorees in 2006.
*Storytellers present Cultural Stories to the congregation of New Life Baptist Church in Spring Valley, CA (2/22)
*US Navy, Camp Pendleton Celebrates Black History-Chaplin O.J. Mozon, Jr. served as guest storyteller (2/25)
*Storytelling at Spring Valley Library—celebrating the Karamu Festival; displayed information, answered questions, shared stories (2/21)
March, 2015
*Encinitas Library presents Storytelling Festival—O.J. Shared original quilting stories. (03/21)
*Storytelling at the Community Garden (Gwen, MS Flo, Linda); sharing stories with garden volunteering
*Bonita Library celebrates PTE HOPE event—BSSD participates in this community event-shared information and shared DVD from past performances. (3/28)
*Interfaith Counsel presents Peace Stories; O.J. was the invited storyteller for the event
April, 2015
*Family Sunday for Black Dolls Exhibit at the Mingei Museum—Linda and MS Flo conducted workshop on paper dolls using brown paper bags (04/15)
*BSSD host evening event celebrating Deborah Neff’s Black Dolls Collection from the 1900s at the Mingei Museum. Black Storyteller gave “a voice” to their chosen doll as the teller told their story—BLACK DOLLS SPEAK”--BSSD has a long standing relationship with the Mingei Museum. This night was filled with not only original stories, but also African drumming; slap jazz artist, spoon-music artist, children’s songs and oral history readings. Standing room only; sold-out engagement! Please read more at pat exhibits for Mengei International Museum (
May, 2015
BSSD celebrates/participates in Malcolm X’s 90th Birthday at the Library named in his honor (Valencia Park Branch Malcolm X Library) - Storytelling festivities (05/16-17)- Presented an original youth Reader’s Theatre presentation on the life of El Hajj Malik El Shabazz
Bonita Branch Library celebrates a summer community event. BSSD participates by sharing information, displays and past performance DVDs (05/23)
June, 2015
Selected storytellers present condensed version of Black Dolls Collection to a group of 3rd grade students –Queen’s Birthday and King’s Birthday—a skit by Linda Brown; Also told stories based on art work of 3rd graders. (06/4, 24)
July, 2015
Market Creek Reclamation Project presented by San Black Writers, Inc.—two storytellers (Gwen, Linda) share stories of gardens, water and food equity -- (7/11, 18)
July and August (Summer Recess)
August Retreat—hosted by Elder Flo Edmunds in Lakeside, CA (notes available if needed)
September, 2015
Storytelling at the Otay Ranch Arts Academy; Linda Brown (09/10)
Received Artist-in-the-School Planning Grant for the California Arts Council-- The grant is phase one for a larger grant for BSSD to be resident storytellers at the Court School—Sports Academy
October, 2015
Fannie Lou Hamer Legacy Celebration—Project New Village host—Mt. Hope Community Garden owners along with volunteers and guests enjoy an evening with Celebrity guest Chef Bryant Terry, renowned Eco-Chef, Food Justice Activist and Author. An evening filled with food tasting, food demos, and informative lessons and documentaries on the importance of advocating for Food Justice. (10/07)
Proposed bestowing the title—Resident Folklorist—to our long-time support/friend—Wanda Addison, Ph.D.
JumpStart Program—Head Start Program-San Pasqual St, San Diego—BSSD participate in reading to pre-school- aged- children—chosen book: NotNorman to be read aloud by adults and children (target; 3 million readers!) (10/22)
Malcolm X Library Halloween Event: Scared Silly! A Brew of Scary Stories. BSSD teller share original stories (10/30)
Respectfully submitted
Linda Brown,, President
Gwen Chamberlain,, Secretary