Greetings Once Again My Family,

Times have been exciting and so many good things are occurring that I don’t even know where to start.

First things first. Thank you all for being on my email list and I will “always” honor and respect that by not inundating you with constant emails.

Here’s some great news. I hit over 1,000 subscribers on YouTube. If you were one of the many who subscribed, thank you. If you haven’t subscribed yet, here’s a link: Subscribe to Baba's YouTube Channel

By subscribing you help me to be able to continue creating these storytelling videos for all those schools and students who are not able to access the craft any other way.

Special Announcement: I have a group, mostly my family members, that I’m calling my “Street Team.” Whenever I upload a new storytelling video to YouTube, I send them a text message with a link so they can go ahead and click on it and help push my view numbers up. If you’d like to be on my “Street Team,” simply send me an email with your phone number and a resounding, “Put me on the Street Team Baba!” and I’ll make it happen.

I’ve recently completed a few residencies with 4^th graders and, as always, it is a painfully sad affair to know that I may not be crossing paths with these young scholars again.

A few weeks ago, I participated in a fundraiser for Ukraine at Vibrant Minds Academy. Aside from the seriousness of the event, it was wonderful meeting and having a chance to talk to people face-to-face. It has been a while since I’ve gathered with that many adults in one space. Oh, did I mention it was outside?

Below are links to some of the newest videos I’ve posted. Enjoy them, subscribe, like, hit the thumbs up, and let me know if there’s a story you’d like to hear me tell.

1. Story of The Promise Keeping Mouse
2. Origin Story of How Animals Got Their Tails
3. A Wisdom Tale: The Cage Bird Freed
4. An African Folk Tale: Wine or Water-Water or Wine

I appreciate each and every one of you for accompanying me on this beautiful journey. So, until our paths cross again, "Dooni dooni kononi bé nyaga da."

Baba

Greetings Everyone!

First off, I want to thank those of you who sent me emails and messages of support for the issue of the child whose father told him he hated Black People. I appreciate the heartfelt sincerity in your messages.

I'll do another BABA TALKS episode soon dealing with the level of disrespect I'm seeing children engage adults with on campuses.

Until then, I've posted quite a few storytelling videos because of requests from students, past and present. I actually think these stories can be enjoyed by anyone, regardless of age. Click this link to watch my latest Folktale: The One Who Never Told a Lie.

If you want to be notified whenever I post one of these videos to YouTube, then Click here to SUBSCRIBE and you'll be notified whenever I post.

Oops, almost forgot! I also posted a Black History Month Profile Video of Aesop, the famous author of Aesop's Fables. Here's a link to that video: Who was Aesop?

I've got a few other news-worthy irons in the fire that I'm excited about but will wait until they are confirmed to talk about them. 

I want to welcome Alhaji Papa Susso back from his two-year retreat in his home country, The Gambia. I've learned so much from this man. Anyone interested in securing him for a performance, lecture, or presentation, here's a link to Alhaji Papa Suso's Facebook Page.

I'll be calling you soon Papa!

Well my friends you know how much I appreciate each and every one of you for being on my email list and accompanying me on this beautiful journey we call life. Message me, let me know what’s going on with you. This need not be a one-directional mode of communication. Take care, my friends!

Until our paths cross again, Dooni dooni kononi bé nyaga da (Little by Little the Small Bird Builds its Nest).

Warmest regards,

BABA

P.S. Don't Forget to Subscribe to My YouTube Channel.

Greetings Everyone!

As promised, each time I publish an episode of BABA TALKS I’m going to send you all a message to let you know. I was a bit hesitant in getting this one out because of the subject matter. At the end of episode #19, I let you all know that I had a child who expressed to me that his father hates Black People. Well in this episode I talk about how I handled that. Here’s a link to the BABA TALKS Episode #20.

I want to shout out to those of you who’ve been purchasing and downloading tales from my little Online Storytelling Store. Thank you, thank you, and thank you again. Those purchases help fund all of these free videos of storytelling that I’m putting out for schools and classrooms that may not have access to the resources that so many schools I visit do. Once again, thank you.

If you haven’t already, please take a few minutes to enjoy the last few storytelling videos I put out. Here are their links:

1. Black History Month Serenity Prayer
2. Dilemma of the Extra Eyeball
3. Dilemma of the Three Drowning Women
4. A Carpenter’s Cognitive Dissonance

It is taking a lot of effort to keep putting material out and post regularly my BABA TALKs episodes. I’m literally working every day, all day in a different school across Southern California. I’ve even got a few virtual international bookings coming up. The virtual international bookings throw my sleep patterns off because of time-zone jumping, but hey, I love what I do.

I'm gonna make it easy for everyone to subscribe to my YouTube Channel. Here's a link that will automate the process for you: Subscribe to Baba's YouTube Channel.

Well my friends you know how much I appreciate each and every one of you for being on my email list and accompanying me on this beautiful journey we call life. Message me, let me know what’s going on with you. This need not be a one-directional mode of communication. Take care, my friends!

Until our paths cross again, Dooni dooni kononi bé nyaga da (Little by Little the Small Bird Builds its Nest).

Warmest regards,

BABA

Greetings my family! So much has been going on that I don't even know where to start. First, and foremost, thank you for being on my email list. It does make a difference, feeling as though you have others to share your journey with.

I just uploaded BABA TALKS episode#19 to YouTube. Check it out when you get a moment. Also, if you haven't subscribed. to my channel yet, here is a link: SUBSCRIBE TO BABA'S CHANNEL HERE.

Students have been asking me to post more content so I've put up a few more stories that I know they've enjoyed.

I'm back in the recording studio working on my follow-up album to Ancient Strings. The working title is Ancient Voices. It has taken me more than 20 years to get my Bamana Language Skills to a point where I am comfortable singing and recording. I will definitely get a few advanced samples to all of you on my list because I appreciate you for accompanying me on this journey. I've posted pictures on my Instagram. Here's a link: BABA'S INSTAGRAM

I got a message from my elder brother Alhaji Papa Susso that he's gonna be returning to the U.S. from the Gambia West Africa soon. He is indeed an iconic figure in the griot community. His kora playing is exceptional. He's on the East Coast but travels globally. If any of you are seeking a griot for your program I would highly encourage you to reach out to him. Here's a link to Papa's Facebook Page.

Ok, I'm gonna keep it brief because I know how busy all of our lives are.

Until our paths cross again, Dooni Dooni Kononi Bé Nyaga Da or Little by Little the Small Bird Builds its Nest.

Greetings family! I recently finished a video wishing all “my” people a Happy New Year. If you didn’t receive it, here is a link to it on YouTube: Happy New Year Video Message from Baba the Storyteller.

I’m also going to be posting more storytelling videos to my YouTube Channel. If you enjoy stories and storytelling as much as I do, then click here to Subscribe to My YouTube Channel.

I want to thank each and every one of you for what was an incredible 2021, in spite of all of the difficulties the year has wrought. As insane as it might seem, I am having some of my most prosperous years during this pandemic. Go figure! Right? I think it might have something to do with all of the virtual work I’ve been doing along with the in-person stuff.

Well, I’ve got to jump back in the studio to get more videos completed. Don't forget to subscribe to the YouTube Channel!

Until our paths cross again, Dooni dooni kononi bé nyaga da (Little by little, the small bird builds its nest).

Thanks for accompanying me on this journey.

BABA

Hey family! I’m excited! The movie I shot with Blippi and Meekah aired this morning! I had forgotten much of what we shot and so it was really interesting seeing it for the first time. I think they did a great job editing. Here’s a link to the video on YouTube "Blippi & The Holiday Snow Globe Movie."

As an aside, I’ve upgraded my Musical Storytelling Shop on my website. You can check out the samples of music and stories. by clicking here: Stories Volume 1

There are quite a few other albums to check out once you're there. Enjoy!

It is incredible to see that the movie we shot “Blippi and The Holiday Snow Globe Movie” is already approaching 200,000 views after only a few hours of being posted to YouTube.

The traffic to my site BabatheStoryteller.com has increased exponentially and is starting to tax my servers. Fingers crossed that my site doesn’t crash. It is definitely traffic from people who have viewed the movie.

I’ve got a lot more projects in the works. You know that you’ll be the first to know. I appreciate each and every one of you for signing up to be on my email list.

I’ll email you again soon family!

Dooni, dooni kononi bé nyaga da
- Little by little the small bird builds its nest -

Baba

I finally completed a project that was "literally" years in the making. I had myself professionally recorded telling a lot of my favorite stories, some with music, some without, and put up samples on my website. Check them out and let me know what y'all think. Here are links to the recordings:

Stories Volume 1 (recorded with music)
Stories Volume 1 (narration only, no music)
Stories Volume 2 (recorded with music)
Stories Volume 2 (narration only, no music)

Wisdom Tales Volume 1 (recorded with music)
Wisdom Tales Volume 1 (narration only, no music)
Wisdom Tales Volume 2 (recorded with music)
Wisdom Tales Volume 2 (narration only, no music)

Help spread the word, share if you know anyone who loves stories, storytelling, and storytellers as much as you and me. As always, thank each and every one of you for accompanying me on this journey.

I’m not sure I can do this any longer. There are painful moments in this work that few people ever get to see.

While at a school yesterday, following extreme COVID protocols, I had one of those heart-wrenching, crossroads moments that we all experience in life.

Part of the lesson and the stories I employed for the day dealt with the theme of “opening our hearts to care for others,” and, of course, I leaned heavily into this issue of the pandemic.

I have to admit there were a few moments when I was awash with a bit of sadness over the last years’ experiences. I tried to focus on my work and not project this sadness out onto the students I was working with, but, as many of you know, most children are highly empathic.

I finished a session with a group of 4th graders and the entire class went toward the hall to line up. One little girl stayed behind and stood before me at the required six feet of distance. I looked over at her teacher and received an affirmative nod that it was alright for the child to take a few moments with me.

It was when I looked into the little girl’s eyes that my heart sank, noticing how swollen and red they were, welling up with tears.

I asked her what was wrong. She said, “I understood your story, and I understand what you want us to do.” 

She spoke with such maturity through her pain it forced me to be hyper-focused on the moment. I had tunnel vision, seeing only this child’s crying eyes, feeling her pain.

I told her I appreciated that she understood, but was more concerned with why she was crying. I asked her again what was wrong.

This is when she told me that her grandfather had recently died of Covid.

Cautiously, she moved a step toward me.

I, too, am a grandfather. As I’m writing this, my throat is filling with sorrow and my chest is tightening.

I think this little 4^th grader sensed the depth of my compassion for her loss because she inched a little closer in my direction.

“You need a hug?” I asked her.

She nodded an emphatic yes.

I held my arms out wide and she rushed into them, sobbing. I held her as I have held my own granddaughter thousands of times.
While we embraced, I spoke to her about the importance of memory and sharing thoughts even when it is difficult, or you don’t feel like it. Our embrace wasn’t long but felt timeless. It was as healing for me as I felt it might have been for her.

She had an evolving smile on her face as we let go of one another.

Wiping her eyes, she said thank you and raced to go join her class.

I’m not sure I can do this anymore. I know that I was not supposed to hug that child. I know that Covid protocols demand that we maintain safe distances, but how could I have refused the need of that moment?

I know publishing this, I’m opening myself up to the critics who will berate me for my actions. I am not going to lie; I believe I may be deserving of many of their critiques. I had to go home and tell my wife about this, which was difficult because we consistently talk about keeping one another safe, our family safe.

I don’t know any other way to be a human being. For this reason, I may have to remain virtual in most of my future presentations and performances.

I’m still processing. Thank you for being a part of my experience, my journey.

babathestoryteller.com

Greetings my family!

I’ve recently been getting quite a few calls with questions about Kwanzaa this upcoming Holiday Season.

One of the calls was a request to teach about Kwanzaa for The Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach California. The catch? Well, if you can call it that… was that I would be sharing the screen with a puppet.

Yes, that’s what I said.

Anyway, his name is Axl and he is an Axolotl. Don’t worry, I’ll give you a link. You can look it up. He’s kind of adorable.

So Axl and I shot a video at the Aquarium of the Pacific where I gave him some basic lessons on Kwanzaa.

I had fun. The video is going to air the first day of Kwanzaa, December 26 @ 10:00 am. Here’s a link to The Aquarium’s of the Pacific's Kwanzaa site for more information.

I really just wanted a chance to reconnect with some of you and, hopefully, see what you all have been up to. 

I’m hoping everyone has managed to stay healthy.

Until the next email, thank you for signing on to my list and, as always… I will not abuse this privilege by inundating you with useless emails.

Take care my family!

Baba the Storyteller

Greetings to one and all. I hope all of you are staying safe and healthy out there. Initially, I thought that I would be in a constant state of isolation when schools all closed on March 13^th. I wasn’t sure of anything, like many of you.

I’m extremely fortunate that most of my loved ones have remained healthy during this pandemic.

Following the week of schools closing back in March, I began to receive requests asking if I could do “Virtual” or “Distance” Programming. Fortunately for me, I had already been positioned to provide the services being requested.

Immediately I began pre-recording Green-Screen performances, Live-Streaming, and dropping in on virtual classrooms. I hadn’t anticipated how exhausting Zoom calls could become. It is a different type of exhaustion. Those of you spending hours and hours on Zoom calls know exactly what I’m talking about.

I knew there was something unique happening when I began to get requests from some of my international contacts for virtual programming.

I quickly threw together a page on my site explaining my virtual offerings. That page has continued to grow and mature.  Here is a link for those interested in my virtual offerings page: https://babathestoryteller.com/virtual/

I recently taped a conversation with the new Superintendent of Long Beach Unified School District, Dr. Jill Baker. We covered issues of Structural Racism, having difficult conversations and advocacy for Black Children, specifically that chronically underserved population, Black Boys. For those of you wanting to view that conversation, here is a YouTube link: Conversation with LBUSD Superintendent

Ok, I’ve always promised to try and keep these missives short and to the point. I’ll close out here by thanking each and every one of you for being on my email list. Being able to reach out to you and connect means a lot to me.

So, until our paths cross again, Dooni dooni kononi bé nyaga da (Little by little, the small bird builds its’ nest).

Greetings my family!

I hope everyone is staying at home if you can. I know times are rough and I sincerely hope that none of you are suffering right now.

I've managed to stay a little busy. I just completed a 4-part video series for Dakota County Library in Minnesota. If you get a moment check it out on Facebook. Here's a link: https://bit.ly/3eQBVra

Share, leave a comment, and support it in any way you can.

I've got a few other projects for schools that are desirous of virtual content, pre-recorded videos and live streaming. That's keeping me busy morning, noon and night.

I actually want to live stream for my people, and I plan to as soon as the production let's up a little bit.

If y'all get a chance to catch the videos in the 4-part series, let me know.

I'll love to get some feedback.

So, until next time my family: Dooni dooni kononi bé nyaga da.

With everything that is happening, being in the midst of a pandemic, I just thought I needed to keep my mind engaged. I finished another BABA TALKS, episode #14 earlier today. It is posted to YouTube. Here's the link: BABA TALKS episode #14

To say that I've been busy would be an understatement. In the past year, I've completed six international tours. Yes... six! I quickly realized that I am not anywhere near 20 or 30 years of age any longer. The most interesting trip had to be returning to Senegal. I was working with The International School of Dakar, but the tour gave me an opportunity to return to Thiaroye. For those who have read my book, you know that it is based upon my time in Thiaroye Senegal. Just in case you are one of the few in the world who has not read this bestseller, here a link: Road of Ash and Dust: Awakening of a Soul in Africa.

I'm going to probably be blogging, producing more videos on my YouTube Channel and doing a "ton" of writing. If you're not subscribed to my YouTube Channel, here's a link: Baba's YouTube Channel. Subscribe, watch a few videos and let me know what you think.

I'm signing off, but I guarantee you'll be hearing from me soon (again and again and again and...)

Dooni dooni kononi be nyaga da!

I’ve just ended the 1^st week of a two-week tour here in Buenos Aires and I thought I would share some reflections.

When I first decided to accept the career as a storyteller, one of the goals I had was to honor my ancestors. A very simple way of doing this was to wear African attire when presenting before audiences. I wanted to acknowledge the past as having fed the present. I wanted to make sure that those who sacrificed and suffered in the past were not forgotten.

For the past 25 years, I have not presented in a single venue without being adorned with clothing from the Motherland. That was all true until a week ago.

Beginning a tour in Buenos Aires, Argentina, I arrived, but my luggage did not. Inside of my bags were all of the beautiful brocaded fabrics and attire I’ve become accustomed to wearing when presenting to audiences.

Last Monday, the 25^th of June, at 11:00 am, was my first scheduled performance for a group of high school students.

I was actually surprised at my level of agitation and anxiety. Not having the clothing, I typically wore, initially felt as though I was breaking a vow I had made my ancestors so many years ago. For hours the night before I was unsettled, feeling as though I lacked some form of cultural equilibrium.

Early in the morning as I lay awake, I began to hear the voices of wisdom that I have relied on in the past. The conversations I’ve had with so many people, the books I’ve read, the lectures I’ve attended and even the music I’ve listened to have all informed my being. Those voices came to me before my first performance here in Buenos Aires.

What was the prevailing theme of those ruminations?

The prevailing theme was that this was an opportunity for growth, both mentally and spiritually. I began to realize that the traditional clothing was no longer an imperative. I was in the throes of a right-of-passage. This was a test, a transition for me.

Thinking back over my life, I realized that I have always sought ways to honor the past and pay homage to those who suffered in order for me to have the platform to travel the world as I do today. I have always been acutely aware of the suffering of others. I have always held a profound respect for my ancestors.

That morning I decided that I would stand before the audience unapologetically. I made a conscious decision to make zero excuses for the way I was dressed or for not playing the music that I typically play. I would enter into the collective fully aware that the moment would define itself, that we all were gathered for a purpose.

Hi Everyone! I'm coming to you from the beautiful metropolis of Dakar in Senegal West Africa. I'm currently working with the International School of Dakar and networking with several NGO's. I've been having an awesome experience thus far. I'm alerting all of you that I've posted an episode of BABA TALKS to YouTube. Here the link: BABA TALKS episode 11.

I've got another week here in Dakar before I have to return to Southern California and then a tour of schools in Buenos Aires is on the horizon. 

There have been some challenges on this trip but they all have been opportunities for growth and nothing less. I have shared laughs, tears and intimate conversations with so many people here that it is impossible to not believe in the awakening of souls. So much has changed in Dakar since I was last here. So much has been built up.

Tomorrow we are heading out to Thiaroye to visit with Momina. Those of you who have read my book, Road of Ash and Dust: Awakening of a Soul in Africa will be familiar with her. I intend to honor this woman to the best of my abilities tomorrow. I'll also get to see so many of the Cissokho family that I have not seen in years. The children of my time here are all adults now. Time waits for no one.

Well, I've got a ton of work to get to and sites to see. Keep following me on Facebook and Instagram where I'm posting pictures and videos as well. Let me know what you think of episode 11 of BABA TALKS. 

Dooni dooni kononi bé nyaga da!

For those of you who haven't been "in-the-know" for the past few months, I've been publishing a little VLog (Video Log) called BABA TALKS. Nothing formal, just me shooting off-the-cuff about what's going on in the world of BABA. I just posted episode number 10 on YouTube. Here's a link: BABA TALKS episode #10 on YouTube

In this episode, I talk a little about my talks with the mouse, upcoming international tours and a school on lockdown that I visited today. Like I said, the kind of stuff that happens every day in the life of a storyteller.

Check it out, subscribe and leave a comment or two.

If you have any comments, questions or want to me address an issue on the next episode of BABA TALKS, then send me an email or simply respond to this newsletter.

Thanks for following me on this journey. You are "always" appreciated.

BABA

I posted an entire story that I shared with an audience of middle schoolers. Click here to view the entire 2:30 video Sharing a Teaching Tale of Confusion

If you get a chance to view it, subscribe while you're there and leave a comment. I value the input of all of you. Many of you have hung in there with me on this journey for decades. I honestly believe that it is your input over the years that has a major part of my success.

I'm going to be putting out BABA TALKS episode #10 soon. I've got a few ideas of issues I'm going to discuss but, please, if there is anything any of you feel is pressing that I address please send your ideas via responding to this newsletter or email me directly babathestoryteller@gmail.com

I've got a couple of international trips coming up and I'm going to encourage all of you to please join me on the journey via social media. You may never know how comforting it is to be abroad and get little messages and tags from friends back home. I'll discuss the Senegal trip the closer it gets.

Did I mention that I missed an opportunity to play at the Queen of Soul's funeral, Aretha, because of my international travels? I know I did but I'm just saying it again because I'm trying to off-load it from my conscious. Wow, I really wish I had been here to honor her that way.

I'm going to be posting some more downloadable stories soon on my website. They were a bit hit before but I took them down because I've got "quality-control" issues. The newer tales are going to be a higher resolution and of higher fidelity.

Ok, as I've said before, I try to keep these as short as possible. I appreciate each of you for being there for me and being on this email list.

Until our paths cross again, dooni dooni kononi bé nyaga da.

I think the last blog post I wrote was about receiving the Heritage Award at the Aquarium of the Pacific. That was 2017. Wow! 2018 was a whirlwind of storytelling activity. I toured Louisiana, all over California and ended the year by touring in Beijing, China. I also started a partnership with Los Angeles County Library and helped develop a program for the Obama initiative, "My Brother's Keeper."

Not sure why, but I'm always uncomfortable using the pronoun "i" too many times and the last paragraph has a whole lot of "i's" in it.

I'm hoping to be able to blog a bit more and keep all you more informed about the happenings on this storytelling journey.

In 2019 I started a series of vlogs (video blogs) titled BABA TALKS. These are just short videos of me talking off-the-cuff about some of the everyday occurrences in the life of a professional storyteller. Sometimes they're funny, sometimes a bit sad but always truthful. I've attached a link below to episode #09 of BABA TALKS if you're interested in checking them out. They are all posted on my youtube channel. If you visit, subscribe to the channel while you're there.

I've had an explosion of requests to travel internationally this year and I plan on talking more about those invitations once they've all been solidified.

Overall, I'm excited about the potential 2019 is offering. Did I mention that this will be my 25th year as a professional storyteller? I'm sure I didn't. Yes, 25 years on this journey. Time truly flies, but more like a concord than a sparrow.

I'm gonna close this out and hopefully post a few more before another year passes us by. Thank you for taking the time to read and, as always... "dooni dooni kononi bé nyaga da!"

The past few months have been a blur.  December I was touring in Spain and the Canary Islands (short video clip of part of a performance there). While in Spain I participated in a Spanish Book Festival to promote ROAD and then returned to a flurry of performances for Kwanzaa ending the month with the honor of presenting at the founder’s, Dr. Mualana Karenga’s, 50^th Anniversary Kwanzaa Celebration. I created a slideshow for those who might want to check out what it was like. 50th Anniversary Kwanzaa Celebration slideshow.

The pace didn’t ease up in January as I continued promotions for the book and headed to Nevada to tour schools in Las Vegas, ending with a culminating performance at the Charleston Heights Arts. Possibly the most touching part of the Las Vegas tour was my visit to the West Las Vegas Arts Center. It felt more like a family reunion than a performance as I got to cross paths with friends I hadn’t seen in years.

Early February I flew to Minnesota for a short residency in collaboration with the University of Minnesota Crookston’s Diversity Department. My attaché, Ms. Lorna Hollowell facilitated a memorable visit that included, not only university events but activities in the community as well. I am eternally grateful to her and her visionary programing.

A few weeks ago I was notified that I was chosen as their 2017 Heritage Award Honoree.  Did I mention how fast paced life seems at the moment? The award will be presented at the 15^th Annual African American Heritage Festival hosted by The Aquarium of the Pacific on Sunday February 26^th @ 12:20 pm.

With a little help from family and friends I’m going to live-stream via Facebook. The live stream will begin at 12:10 pm and continue through the ceremony. Live streaming works out great when you’ve got a really diverse collection of friends spread out over seven continents.  I'm excited because my West African Drum and Dance Family Dembrebrah has agreed to open the award ceremony and I was also notified that the City of Long Beach Mayor’s Chief of Staff,  Mark Taylor, will be in attendance.

If you can attend, I’d love to see you there. If not, join us on Facebook Live.