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.
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.
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.
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.
Marlon Carey is a multitalented artist who is always looking for ways to help build community and inspire people to make positive changes to the world. As a storyteller, he weaves an intricate tapestry with words, using a variety of methods with respect to the Storyteller traditions of old. He is a full-time father of three remarkable children and three cats.
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.
"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!
Known for her vibrant personality, Rachel is ‘solar powered,’ loves cookouts, gardening, camping, hiking, dancing to live bands, and eating dessert before dinner! In addition to her work in education, Rachel is a dedicated mother to five children, aged 11 to 21, who inspire her professional pursuits.
As the Founder and Creative Director of Dream Through STEAM RI, a small business dedicated to honoring the past, educating in the present, and inspiring the future. Rachel celebrates the rich legacy of African American contributors in Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM). Rachel is a member of the RI PK-12 Steam Advisory Council and is a member of the RI Science Teachers Association and the RI Mathematics Teachers Association. In 2025, she earned a place on the RI Teaching Artist Roster from The Rhode Island State Council on Arts
Rachel completed a graduate-level, interdisciplinary training; The Rhode Island Leadership Education in Neurodevelopment and Other Related Disabilities (RI LEND) She earned a certificate in Child Advocacy from the RI Parent Information Network and has completed training on the effects of trauma on children's development. She graduated from Mount Pleasant High School as part of the Health Magnet program and earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology from Franklin Pierce University in New Hampshire.
For over two decades, Rachel has taught in a variety of educational settings. As an educator, she develops student-centered curricula using a culturally responsive pedagogy. She fosters a classroom culture that values communication, collaboration, creativity and problem solving. She implements hands-on lessons and theme-based projects with a multidisciplinary approach. Fostering relationships with students and families is the source of her classroom management strategies, as well as student-led incentives and engaging team building activities.
Rachel sits on the Race and Equity Parent Leaders of New England (PLNE) Board, advocating raical justice and system change for families represented in the child welfare system. She is a Civic Leader Fellowship recipient, a Phi Sigma Omega National Honor Society inductee, and a recipient of the Louis Feinstein-Horatio Alger Humanitarian Award and the National Youth Caring for Others Award. She has been recognized by the State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations Senate and House of Representatives with a citation for her contributions to underserved communities.
