The Maryland Department of Aging, in partnership with Story Tapestries (a local non-profit), was pleased to announce the launch of Share Your Life Stories, an initiative designed to address the issue of social isolation many older adults are experiencing as a result of COVID-19. Share Your Life Stories is designed to give older adults throughout the state a chance to engage and connect with others in a safe and creative environment.
Share Your Life Stories was a series of virtual presentations and workshops where participants listen, learn the art of storytelling, and share their life stories. For those without smart phones and computers, there is telephone access to all events. There are two types of events 1) Storytelling Broadcast and 2) Story Circles. The “Storytelling Broadcasts” offer participants a chance to log on or dial in to hear award winning storytellers. The "Story Circles" events are interactive and give participants a chance to log in or dial in and be a part of small groups to learn the art of storytelling, and share their stories. All events were free of charge for Marylanders 60 and older. Registration was required and available on a first come basis.
About our featured storytellers:
Get to know storyteller Donna Washington. Donna Washington is an internationally known, multiple award winning storyteller, spoken word recording artist, and author. A highly animated performer, she has been entertaining, educating, and inspiring audiences with her vocal pyrotechnics, elastic face, and deep characterizations that bring folklore, literary tales, and personal narratives to life for over thirty years. Donna has been called a “Walking Disney Movie”, and told she was "better than television". To learn more about Donna, visit her website:
https://dlwstoryteller.com/
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Jamaal 'Mr. Root' Collier is a dedicated father, musician, host and teaching artist. His passion for his artistry is clearly seen in his assemblies, residencies, and workshops. Jamaal has shared the stage with The Legendary Last Poets, The Kelly Bell Band, The Roots, as well as Cory Henry and the Funk Apostles. He's even beatboxed with the Temptations! The tradition of oral history in all of it's forms are vital to the human experience. Spoken word and hip hop culture is how Mr. Root tells his story. His positive attitude, initiative, leadership skills, great flexibility, and great big heart make him an ideal choice in various professional and informal spaces. Jamaal enjoys listening to great stories as much as he enjoys sharing his own.
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Born and raised in Israel, Noa Baum is an award-winning storyteller, author, public speaker, and coach. She focuses on the power of storytelling to heal across the divides of identity and build bridges of peace. Noa is a winner of Parents’ Choice and StorytellingWorld awards and is a member of the National Storytelling Network.
https://www.noabaum.com