Find a Teller
Meet Some of Our Storytellers
The Griots’ Circle of Maryland is a membership organization which is open to all storytellers and story lovers. We are not a booking agent but provide information about some of our members who are performing storytellers. This listing is not an endorsement. The event organizer should contact tellers directly and get further information if you want to hire them. In this way, you can ensure that the storyteller you choose is a good fit for your needs. Fees, expenses, and contract requirements will vary and are to be settled between the teller and the event organizer.
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Ophelia Brown-Carter
410-483-6425 / 410-236-9555
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Her friends know her as Val, the storyteller. She shares some of the great African and African American folktales and stories. She performs for children and families in churches, libraries and community venues in the Baltimore area.
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Tanwa Suma
443.520.8462
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​Tanwa M Suma aka "Ms Bibi" is a Teller of original and humorous family stories and an inspirational Teller for your special occasion.
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Renee Spears Emanuel
240-707-1828
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Renee is a gifted storyteller whose tales, songs, and poetry have captivated audiences. Her warm, personable style engages children of all ages, adults, and seniors and sets the stage for mutually enjoyed interactions between her and her listeners. Renee has performed at libraries, schools, conferences, and on public television. She accepts in-person, virtual, and hybrid engagements and will travel.
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Gordon Parks
410-655-2118
gordonparksperformer.com
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When he is telling stories, Gordon Parks is known as Soorah. He performs folklore, historical stories, cultural tales in live, virtual and video presentations to young children, adults and families. He is a master storyteller and workshop presenter who performs locally in Baltimore.
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Martha Ruff
410-935-7638
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Her storytelling friends know her as Sista' Martha. She shares stories from Africa, the Caribbean and the tales of African Americans. The audiences of all ages are drawn to Sista' Martha's call and response style. She performs for holiday events, church, museum and school programs, in Baltimore; Laurel & Hagerstown, Washington DC, Virginia and beyond.
Charles R. Cook, Jr.
443 591-5415
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Charles R Cook Jr has been performing for over 35 years for Education Conferences, Schools, Colleges, Libraries, Churches and more. He is a Story Teller who has food for the mind. So you can take it with you. He looks forward to feeding the community with knowledge of the ages.
Bob Smith
443-844-7527
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Bob Smith is an actor and storyteller whose talent is seen on stage, television and movies. He performs in living history productions as Benjamin Banneker and Paul Laurence Dunbar as he "Brings Them Back Alive". Bob's shows have been presented throughout the Mid-Atlantic states.
Edna Williams
443-683-4696
grandmotherpilgrimage@yahoo.com
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Everyone knows her as Sacred Griot Grandmother Edna who strives to preserve our legacy and tell our story. In Baltimore, she has received the Mary Carter Smith Legacy Award and other community citations. She tells stories, presents workshops and presentations on the African American quilt tradition. Her audiences are all ages and she is a local and national performer.
John Carrington
​443-520-8765
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This magical storyteller keeps his audience spell bound with stories and amazing tricks.