KEEPERS OF THE CULTURE
KOTC Logo (c)1996 Columbus Knox
Philadelphia's Afrocentric Storytelling Group
KOTC
P. O. Box 15083
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19130
HOTEP! WELCOME! JAMBO! HABARI GANI?
Relax, Remember, Rejuvenate, Reflect & enjoy the photos of our
14TH ANNUAL LOVE NIGHT 2007
Photos:(c) 2007 Paparraza by Appointment
Keepers Of The Culture, Inc. KOTC, or ("Khotsi") of Philadelphia is an educational, cultural art organization which seeks to perpetuate the African and African-American oral tradition. We recognize that traditional African storytellers - griots - were the true "Keepers Of The Culture." Their role as historians of the community helped people maintain a strong, positive sense of self and a clear understanding of the values of the community and the individual's role in the community. The griot presence insured that the history, culture and values of a people would be passed on in their own words.
We intend to highlight, reinforce and pass on the history and culture of African-Americans and their antecedents, to educate and nurture individual and collective self-esteem and foster pride of culture in our community-especially in our children. Our objective is to do this by offering performances, workshops, seminars, mini-festivals and collaborations with other cultural arts organizations and artists of various disciplines in the Philadelphia area.
Our purpose is to inform, educate, enrich and to restore storytelling to its traditional place of importance in the African-American community. We are open to poets, visual artists, sculptors, craft persons, musicians and dancers of African descent whose presentations are rooted in the African and African-American tradition. We will nurture, encourage and support this community of artist regardless of each artistes level of expertise, length of experience or level of artistic development.
Recognizing that "It takes a whole village to raise a child," we believe we have a responsibility to reach out to all children, parents and teachers as we endeavor to become the caretakers of their future by drawing on the strength of our past and passing that knowledge on through the spoken word.
* * * FOUNDING MEMBERS * * *
Charlotte Blake Alston / Janice "Jawara" Bishop / Caroliese Frink Reed / Wanda Gigetts / Linda Goss / Isaac Maefield / Queen Sheba
* * * SUPPORTING MEMBERS * * *
Queen Nur / James Washington
* * * LIFE MEMBER * * *
CHARLOTTE BLAKE ALSTON
* * * OFFICERS 2009 * * *
PRESIDENT : RON CARTER
VICE-PRESIDENT : NASHID ALI
TREASURER : THERESA RANDALL
RECORDING SECRETARY : WANDA GIGETTS
PR CHAIR : ONI LASANA
PROGRAM COORDINATOR : JOSLYN LADSON
MEMBER-AT-LARGE : LAMONT "NAPALM" DIXON
SPIRITUAL CARETAKERS : BRO. ABIODUN HARRIS & JEANETTE "MOONSONG" MALLORY-HILL
KEEPERS OF THE CULTURE members are professional artists of every genre who are dedicated to Educate...Enlighten...Entertain...Uplift...& Celebrate...African & African American culture!
OUR MOTTO: "Telling Our Story, Claiming Our Glory"
KOTC is an affiliate of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF BLACK STORYTELLERS, INC. In 1996 KOTC hosted "In The Tradition...the 14 Annual National Festival of Black Storytelling Conference, in partnership with the West Philadelphia Cultural Alliance.
KOTC MEMBERS
If you are interested in a KOTC artist enriching your next gathering, please contact them directly from their page at the KOTC members link above.
KOTC MEETINGS
Our general Business Meetings and Creative Sharing Gatherings are open to the public and we welcome all who are in support of our mission.
BLACK STORYTELLERS SPEAK ORDER FORM
Oral History & Interviews OF 17 National Storytellers on DVD & VHS is available!
YES! I WANT TO JOIN OR SUPPORT KEEPERS OF THE CULTURE!
MEMBERSHIP FORM
You get a webpage on our site, news about performance opportunities, workshops, enrichment community happenings and more!
~ ~ UPCOMING EVENTS ~ ~
MAY 23, 2009, Saturday
BUS TRIP FROM PHILLY TO BROOKLYN, NEW YORK!
To experience DANCE AFRICA!
Brooklyn Academy of Music
More Info: 215.922.1963
AUGUST 7-10, 2009
EASTERN TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY
Institute on Storytelling In The African American Tradition
Featuring LINDA GOSS, NABS & KOTC co-founder
Workshops, Festival & Performances
More Info: 423.439.7601
GATHER WITH KOTC & ALL NATIONAL AFFILIATE ORGANIZATIONS ANNUALLY
@
*!* 27th ANNUAL NATIONAL BLACK STORYTELLERS FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE *!*
NOVEMBER 2009 Little Rock, Arkansas
(Goto NABS website @ listing of links below, for more information
~ ~ KOTC APPEARANCES & PERFORMANCES ~ ~
*!* KOTC KIJIJI (VILLAGE) *!*
~ ~ KOTC WORKSHOPS ~ ~
*!* KOTC PHOTO GALLERY *!*
! ! ANNUAL KOTC EVENTS ! !
~ ~ KWANZAA CELEBRATION ~ ~
~ ~ KOTC KWANZAA ~ ~
~ ~ FAMILY DAY 2009 ~ ~
Sundays On Stage Series at Central Library of Philadelphia
More Info FAMILY DAY REVIEWS
~ ~ TELLABRATION 2009 ~ ~
A collaboration with PATCHWORK, a storytelling Guild
Theme & details to be announced
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
~ ~ KOTC COLLABORATIONS ~ ~
Art Sanctuary
Philadelphia Museum Of Art
Philadelphia Folklore Project
Patchwork, A Storytelling Guild
The Village of Arts and Humanities
Children's Hospital Of Philadelphia
African American Museum of Philadelphia
Free Library of Philadelphia / Knight Foundation
PASCEP - Pan African Studies Education Program at Temple University
Drop in on us again, as we continue to offer workshops and performances. We will keep you connected to the positive side of African-American culture & community!
For more information clik on our mailbox:
We would appreciate your comments on any of our artists you have seen present workshops or performances. Please share your thoughts, so others will get to know us!
OR
Want to be on our mailing list, for programs & events?
Please sign our guestbook with your address and information!
View KOTC Guestbook Sign KOTC Guestbook
Asante Sana! Thank you very much, tell a friend & drop in again...to stay in the KOTC circle of creativity join our Google Group!
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Oni Lasana Productions
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