“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
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