Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. Upsilon Mu Zeta Chapter's Foundation, Doves of Peace, Inc., is proud to be a recipient of a 2016 the River Region Arts & Humanities Council Grant. The monetary grant, $500, was used to present two cultural activities in music and storytelling. Storytelling is an art form which embodies the history, heritage and culture of the people. This reprt will explain how the grant was utilized and aided Doves of Peace, Inc. in bringing this cultural activity to the seniors and veterans of St. John the Baptist Parish.
On May 13, 2016, the RRAHC Grant was used to present storytelling by "Vanora" the Storyteller. To recognize senior citizens in May, Older American Month, Doves of Peace, Inc. presented "Vanora" the Storyteller to perform oral storytelling at the Council on Aging Senior Center in Reserve, LA. The performance included the stories of "Brer Rabbit and the King" and "God is Greater than the King", and others. The seniors also participated in singing the Storytellers' Rap written by Linda Goss, co-founder of the National Association of Black Storytellers. Seniors were treated to a display and demonstration of a variety of instruments and aids used to tell stories.
The RRAHC Grant was also used for a second storytelling performance on November 10, 2016. To honor Veterans, a Military Appreciation Program of storytelling was presented at the Southeast LA Veterans Home in Reserve, LA. "Vanora" the Storyteller preformed the original story of The Autobiography of Della Foster - One Step at A Time (the story of the storyteller's 107 year old grandmother). Also, several African Oral Tradition stories such as "Brer Rabbit and the King" and "God is Greater than the King" were told.
Attached are photos of the events, invoices for storytelling services and media coverage of the event.
The members of Doves of Peace, Inc. appreciate River Region Arts and Humanities Council for selecting Doves Of Peace, Inc. as a 2016 grant recipient. The grant aided the foundation in bringing an experienced internationally and nationally recognized storyteller to the community.
We look forward to continuing to bringing cultural activities to the community.
To see more images from the performance, click here (PDF)