A Griot is a West African historian, storyteller, praise singer, poet, and/or musician. The Griots role is to preserve the genealogies, historical, narratives, and oral traditions of their people.
In 2011 Griot Arts has been providing training in music, dance, theater, film making and visual arts through their after school arts program. Most students join the program in elementary or middle school, and graduating to advanced classes when they enter into high school. Since the start of the Griot Arts it has grown from 12 to over 50 students attending classes 3-4 times a week. They also have a creative employment program that employs young people in their coffee shop.
Griot Arts empowers students and professional artists to be storytellers and culture makers, educating them about their history, so that they may create a new life giving narrative of our community. Students have produced podcasts and a film documenting their journey. You can check out their podcasts and film and learn more about what they do and have to offer at,
