Wichita Griots: Keepers of the Stories

The Griots Initiative: Is to ensure that the voices, experiences and life stories of African Americans will be preserved and presented with dignity.  Griots also research the varied voices of people with roots in the African Diaspora Living in the United States.

A Griot (pronounced gree-oh) is a storyteller, a position of honor in West African tradition, who hands down family and community history from one generation to the next. Common Core Standards are to help students develop speaking and listening skills, incorporate social and emotional learning goals to further students’ development as well as, self and social awareness, literacy and history. Through our work, we are creating new possibilities to animate the human spirit, enhance the imagination, and strengthen education.  

The Griots use a variety of creative art expressions to reach individuals who have a variety of learning styles. We especially enjoy combining our love of child-like and imaginative literature with timeless wisdom in storytelling designs where performance and other arts are combined to present a unique learning experience.  We also focus a great deal on working with youth to develop communication skills, social skills, and artistic skills so that those we teach can use their innate talents to produce original works that connect with audiences.