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  •  Satora, The Ishangi Jele
    Satora, The Ishangi Jele
    Actor; Poet; Writer
    “A Lack of Knowledge Is Darker Than Night” A Nigerian Hausa Proverb. Kathryn Hunter-Williams a. k. a. Satora, The Ishangi Jele, is a dynamic storyteller of Afrikan American history, who is working hard to carve her own path. Her forte is Ourstories filled with images of famous Afrikan American men and women. Ishangi, is Swahili, which means the “Gatekeeper” of Ourstory, a name given to her after she met fellow performer, Baba Ishangi in 1991, an Afrikan performer from Ghana, a country in West Afrika. Jele, in Swahili means “Storyteller.” Kathryn, met Baba Ishangi during one of his family’s performances at the Youth Theater through former Director Sue Woods. Baba Ishangi told her, that she collects, documents, and preserves the history of Afrikan Americans in the City of Flint, and of the Diaspora, this is what makes her an Ishangi. You’re preserving ourstories for our children of the present and for future generations. In 1991, Baba Ishangi, also assisted Kathryn and created and performed at her first public Kwanzaa Celebration at the Traveling Museum of Afrikan Ancestry & Research Center [TMAARC], during that time the Museum was located at 109 Welch Blvd. in Flint, MI Cathy Johnson, Program Director for the Greater Flint Arts Council and member of the Society of Afrikan American Storytellers [SAAS], said, Kathryn, is a natural Jele. She also tells an awesome story about Flint’s Afrikan American History and about the history of Flint’s Underground Railroad. Kathryn, has always love and had a sense of her community and has spun a web of Afrikan American historical stories in several venues throughout the City of Flint and State of Michigan. Because of her storytelling Kathryn has been featured in local, regional, and national magazines. In 1999, she wrote a Flint history book entitled; The Stop: The Underground Railroad In Flint, Michigan. On June 19, 2005, one of Kathryn’s greatest achievements was the dedication of a State of Michigan Historical Marker, Resisting Slavery, and Flint’s Freedom Quest,that was held at the Flint Cultural Center the following day. Both programs were funded through a generous grant from the Ruth Mott Foundation’s Flint Underground Railroad Heritage Program [FUHP]. Both awesome accomplishments resulted from the writing of her book and the newly found research about Flint’s and Genesee County’s Underground Railroad [UGR]. The State of Michigan Historical Marker tells the story of Flint’s Anti-slavery and Abolitionist Movements, and the Underground Railroad. Also, included on the Historical Marker are the stories of Robert J. Cromwell, an escaped slave from Missouri, Henry Bibb, Rev. Henry H. Northrop, Gov. Josiah Begole, and others. Robert J. Cromwell lived in Flint as a free man, and opened up a business [barber shop] in downtown Flint. Gov. Josiah Begole, Henry Bibb, and Rev. Henry Horatio Northrop, were all Anti-slavery men. Mr. Bibb and Rev. Henry Northrop, were both great orators who secretly visited Flint at the Genesee County Courthouse several times in the early 1800s speaking out against slavery. The State of Michigan Historical Marker is located on the North lawn of the Genesee County Courthouse in downtown Flint on the corner of S. Saginaw and Court Streets. There is also a pictured display of all of their stories located inside the Courthouse entering from the S. Saginaw Street entrance. Today, Flint is listed on America’s National Map of the Underground Railroad, and the Genesee County Courthouse is registered as one of America’s National Historical Sites of the Underground Railroad. Take yourself, your children, and grandchildren to see the first State of Michigan Historical Marker which recognizes the Anti-slavery and Abolishnist’s Movement in the City of Flint. Kathryn Hunter-Williams, is not only the Gatekeeper of Ourstory in Flint, Michigan, but has always been a storyteller in various venues regarding Afrikans of Diaspora as well. She has been telling Ourstories since 1969. In 1991, she opened the first Museum of Afrikan American History & Research Center in the City of Flint, Michigan, with the storyline, An Infinite Heritage of a Proud People. In 1992, Kathryn published her first newsletter;Agiza Histia Habari. During the publishing of the newsletter it required her to do extensive research of her famous historical subjects. The stories in her newsletters included how and what Afrikan Americans went through to gain their freedom, and where we are as a people today. During her research of her famous subjects she found out, that some of their stories were very disturbing, fascinating, humbling, and full of tenacity. Their humbleness and tenacity were two very strengthening forces in Kathryn’s pursuit of continuing to pass true Afrikan American history on to the children. Kathryn has developed many wonderful stories as follows: 1]. Ingenious Americans 2]. Let My Big Light Shine 3]. Tiny Pieces of the Dream 4]. Guro; Baule Afrikan Masks from the Ivory Coast of West Afrika 5]. Flint’s Afrikan American Mayors 6]. The Traveling Preachers: Sojourner Truth and Harriet Tubman 7]. Pictures & Quotes of and by Martin Luther King, Jr. 8]. Flint’s Underground Railroad. Kathryn, is Founder of the *Kemet Study Group, which meets the 2nd Thursday of each month at Pages Bookstore. *Kemet a. k. a. Ancient Egypt. She is the Host of her own program, “Satora’s Black History Corner,” with Co-Host Kathryn Blake, and also Co-Host, What’s Going On, with Professor George Moss, both programs are featured on flintalkradio.com. Kathryn is a multi-talented woman, she is a Spoken Word Poet – Publisher of Newsletters: Agiza Histia Habari & Satora The Ishangi Jele. In the past she has produced plays, radio programs, television programs for Channel 17 – cultural programs, art shows, Community Afrikan American festivals, Kwanzaa Celebrations – Afrikan Drummer and Dancer – Lecturer of Flint’s Underground Railroad [UGR] – State of Michigan UGR Liaison for the City of Flint – Educator for over 40 years of Black American history, heritage, culture, arts, and community building events, and so much more. Presently, she is the Founder and Curator of the Traveling Museum of Afrikan Ancestry & Research Center. Also, Founder of the Keep On Keepin’ On Community Afrikan American Festivals since 1992. In 2009, she turned the festival over to Afojabe Afrikan Village: Elliott & Yaisha McCants. Kathryn, also developed and celebrated community Kwanzaa Celebrations for 17 years. Kathryn, utilizes her experiences gleaned as the Curator of a Traveling Museum [25 years] and her skills have been sought from people throughout the City of Flint, the State of Michigan, and nationally to develop Afrikan/Black American historical programs. Kathryn, is the extremely proud Mother of three awesome, progressive, and wonderful adult children, two residing in the City of Flint, and her oldest residing in Charlotte, NC., with his wife. Kathryn, is also the proud grandma and Ma of seven beautiful grandchildren and great-grandmother of one. Kathryn Hunter-Williams’ Education ~ Grass-root Theorist [Organic Intellectual], a product of Flint Community Schools: Dewey, Parkland, Dort Elementaries, Emerson Jr., and Northern High Schools, graduating from Northwestern High School; attended Mott Community College, courses in Social Work, Marketing Research Analyst, and Business Administration, Life student of Afrikan/Black Americans and Afrikans of Diaspora’s Stories. Life student of Kemet a. k. a. Ancient Egypt’s history, journeyed to Kemet in 1989, for two weeks. Also, courses at the Department of Africana Studies at the University of Michigan-Flint. Extensive training and residencies in Museums, exhibits, and gallery development throughout the State of Michigan, and Waco, TX. Several residencies in researching Flint and Genesee County’s Underground Railroad throughout the State of Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Missouri, Arkansas, and Canada. Attended Kingsway International Christian College and Theological Seminary through Kings’ Bible College, School of the Holy Spirit-Flint, graduating with a Bachelor Degree in Theology [2008]. I’m presently working toward getting my Masters Degree in Theology and Christian Education. Three years of Ministry Training as a disciple of Bishop Odis A. Floyd, Pastor of New Jerusalem Full Gospel Church. Presently, member of Ebenezer Ministries, continuing as a servant of God Jehovah and disciple of Rev. Urundi Knox, Pastor. In 2010, received my Certificate of License as a Licensed Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, to PREACH and/or TEACH the WORD OF GOD. I am extremely grateful to my God Elohim, Who is my Creator and Designer. He is my Source and Provider. My primary responsibilities are to walk with Him daily during my earthly journey. BOOKS: The Stop: The Underground Railroad in Flint Michigan [1999] Kwanzaa: A Parent’s Guide To A Celebration of Cultural Heritage [2004] PLACES SATORA, THE ISHANGI JELE HAS TRAVELED: Annual Keep On Keepin’ On Community Afrikan American Festival, Flint, MI throughout City of Flint, State of Michigan, public schools, libraries, museums, universities, colleges, churches, homes, festivals, family reunions, nationally, and internationally. LINKS: geneseefun.com @ Artist’s Profile Google:Kathryn Williams, Flint, MI FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Ishangi Storyteller P. O. Box 190136 Burton, MI 48519 810.742.2693 Ofc. ancestryafrikan@yahoo.com
  • Mary Schiros
    Mary Schiros
    Visual Artist
    Water-media painter, that enjoys working with bold colors and a semi-abstract style. Member of the Art at the Market, in Flint, MI. Also teaching at Boundless Arts in Grand Blanc, MI, http://www.boundlessarts.com To learn more about my work please visit my web sites www.mbschiros.artspan.com and http://www.zazzle.com/mbschiros
  • Billie Scott Lindo
    Billie Scott Lindo
    Actor; Dancer; Director; Poet; Singer; Writer
    Billie Scott Lindo Actor, Singer, Dancer, Poet Administrator, Director. Playwrite Stage Manager, Light / Sound Tech CURRENTLY Artistic Director, The “New” McCree Theatre, Flint MI ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERIENCE Co-Fndr./ Artistic Director, IEM Productions Lehigh Valley, PA Fndr-Artistic Dir., Touchstone Youth Ensemble, Bethlehem, PA Director of Marketing, Touchstone Theatre, Bethlehem, PA ACTOR One woman show “Woman Alive” by Billie Scott-Lindo, McCree Theatre Grandmother/flex “Crowns” by Regina Taylor, McCree Theatre Aunt Freida,”You Shouldn’t Have Told by Ann T. Scretching, Playwrites Horizon, NY, NY DIRECTOR “Sincerely” by Charles Winfrey “Don’t Bother Me I Cain’t Cope by Vinette Carroll& Mikki Grant “Pearlie Victorious” by Ossie Davis Affiliations: LOFT, Audelco
  • Marcia Selley
    Marcia Selley
    Visual Artist
    My paintings are representative of the beautiful color and feel of our natural surroundings here in Michigan.
  • jeanine smith
    jeanine smith
    Visual Artist
    Vvisual artist working in glass and fibers. I have worked with glass about 10 years and just started to explore fibers. Most of my pieces are sculptural.
  • Kevin Starnes
    Kevin Starnes
    Actor; Musician; Singer
    Kevin Starnes has performed a variety of styles in a career spanning over twenty years. Praised for his “powerful voice” and “rich tone”, Mr. Starnes is a baritone based in Fenton, Michigan.   While at the University of Michigan, he performed the role of the Duke in Gounod’s “Romeo et Juliette” under the direction of Paul Curran and Martin Katz. He went on to perform Theseus in Britten’s “A Midsummer Nights Dream”, and Max Kane in William Bolcom’s “Dinner at Eight” under the direction of Robert Swedberg and Kathleen Kelly. In 2018, he will sing the role of Bartolo in Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro” once again under the baton of Maestro Martin Katz.   No stranger to the theatrical stage, Mr. Starnes has performed a variety of roles. He delighted audiences as Danny Zuko in “Grease” in 2001. More recently, Mr. Starnes gave audiences the old razzle dazzle as Billy Flynn in “Chicago”. He was credited as “a true highlight” as Herod in “Jesus Christ Superstar,” with his signature number being hailed as full of “panache and style”.   Mr. Starnes has been a soloist for major works on numerous occasions. He has performed Handel’s Messiah on numerous occasions. Most recently, he tackled Mozart’s Requiem, as well as Mozart’s Coronation Mass. In the past, he has performed Faure’s Requiem, Shubert’s Mass in G, as well as Twine’s “Changed My Name” under the direction of Mary Alice Stollak.   A seasoned choral artist, Mr. Starnes is a professional chorister with the First Congregational Church Choir in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Previously, he has sung with the Flint Festival Chorus, and with the Living Christmas Card during the holiday season.   Mr. Starnes will soon be graduating from the University of Michigan School of Music, Theatre, and Dance with a Master of Music in voice performance, and completed his Bachelor of Arts in Music at the Flint campus of the University of Michigan. In the interim between his music degrees, Mr. Starnes completed a Master of Arts in arts adminsitration at The University of Michigan-Flint, helping to develop a community outreach program centered around opera education. He currently resides in Fenton, Michigan, with his lovely wife Jennifer and three amazing sons.  
  • William Stolpin
    William Stolpin
    Visual Artist
    Part of the DAS Print Company. Bill has many piece of this works in private collections and at the Smithsonian. You can find Bill at the Renannsiance Festival with his creations of gnomes, serpents, green monster and other assorted printed works. Bill has done workshops and menttorships with many of the local children residents. Bill continues and expands his print making for the communities to witness.
  • Fenton Lakes Chorus Sweet Adelines International
    Fenton Lakes Chorus Sweet Adelines International
    Musician: Folk
     An award winning a cappella women’s group singing Four Part Harmony in the Barbershop Style. We teach and train our members in this American art form through performance and competiion. Membership is open to women of all ages.
  • Jeffrey Swerdan
    Jeffrey Swerdan
    Actor; Director; Filmmaker; Writer
    I was born in Traverse City, MI, and raised in Flint, MI. I graduated Beecher High School in 1999. After high school I moved to Orlando, FL, where I worked for five years at Walt Disney World and Universal Studios. I have been writing since I was a kid, and I have been acting since I was 13. I have written, directed, and co-produced four short films. I also have worked on making my first feature film. I also perform Stand Up and Improv Comedy around the Flint area. I love entertaining people and I love helping others reach their goals. I look forward to meeting new people and seeing what the world has to offer. Stay Positive and Keep Moving Forward!
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