Valerie Tutson has been telling stories in schools, churches, libraries, festivals and conferences since 1991. She draws her stories from around the world with an emphasis on African traditions. Her repertoire includes stories and songs she learned in her travels to South Africa, her experiences in West Africa, stories from African American history. In addition, she is gaining quite a reputation for her exciting retelling of age-old Bible stories.
She graduated from Brown University with a Master’s Degree in Theatre Arts and a degree in a self-designed Major-Storytelling as A Communications Art.
Marlon “Inphynit” Carey is a storyteller, hip-hop artist, slam poet, actor, and educator with Rhode Island Black Storytellers (RIBS). For over eight years, he has woven narratives that spark empathy, humor, and community while uplifting literacy and learning. Inspired by his three children and guided by masters like Len Cabral and Valerie Tutson, he blends music, poetry, and performance to engage audiences of all ages.
His commissioned school stories and collaborations—including The Shakespeare Time-Travelling Speakeasy and his album High Value Target—reflect his commitment to using story as a bridge between people and possibility.
Rochel Garner Coleman, actor, singer, storyteller, has been performing since he was 9 years old. He travels nationally and internationally sharing stories of Black historical legends such as Nat Love and Cool Papa Bell in shows developed using the research to performance method.
At 82, Ms. Soares is SAG-AFTRA, AEA, actress, poet, playwright, director, activist. Her mission is to deliver “entertaining education.” She performed at New York Public Theater, Negro Ensemble Company, for Woodie King, Jr., L.A. Shakespeare Festival, Trinity Repertory Company, regional theatres and Westerly Shakespeare Theatre. Her national tours include “No Place to Be Somebody” and “River Niger.” Her 70s LA television guest appearances include “Kojak,” “Good Times” and more. She returned to Providence in 1981 performing locally for charity. A volunteer for Amos House Shelter in ’89, she also helped build a school in Nicaragua with Providence-Niquinohomo Sister City Project. Sylvia Ann earned a CCRI AA ‘93 and a Brown ’95 Honors AB in Theatre, and then cared for her mother who had Alzheimer’s. In 2013, RI Council for the Humanities funded her to become Nancy Elizabeth Prophet in Living History and Sylvia Ann has performed thus numerously. She performs her ‘Silvy Tory’ an enslaved RI woman. Sylvia’s recent researched play is about the oppression in the 1850 village Snowtown, Providence, and represents citizens, Black, Indigenous and White. Over the past, she has enjoyed working with RIBS and Funda Fest.
V. Raffini, a self-made artist, actress, and teacher from the South Side of Providence has long been committed to the community, teaching Black History, and theatre, telling stories and nurturing the spiritual and creative abilities of youth.
"The Watermelon Lady", is a "story wheeler." Miss Ramona brings her traditions of storytelling from her Jamaican and Native American ancestry together with her formal education to create works that open up the treasury of healing and understanding. Watermelon is a fruit of peace, friendship and sharing good times - all around the world!
Len Cabral is an internationally acclaimed storyteller who has been enchanting audiences with his storytelling performances at schools, libraries, museums and festivals since 1976. A great grandson of a Cape Verdean whaler whose grandparents immigrated to America from the islands off the coast of West Africa, Len’s strong Cape Verdean ancestry comes alive in his exuberant retelling of African, Cape Verdean, and Caribbean folktales as well as original stories and tales from around the world.
Rachel Briggs, a member of Rhode Island Black Storytellers, is a proud mother, dedicated educator, and community-minded woman of color. Passionate about preserving unsung Black history figures, Rachel uses her storytelling prowess to shine a light on overlooked narratives.
As an educator, she empowers the next generation with knowledge and empathy, fostering a sense of cultural understanding. Her commitment extends beyond the classroom, as she actively engages in community initiatives. Her joy for storytelling becomes a vibrant thread in the tapestry of her advocacy, weaving tales that inspire, educate, and celebrate the richness of Black history.
