In these programs, Linda Gorham shares stories of African American men and women who, over the past 100 years, broke color barriers and had noteworthy accomplishments – often despite difficult circumstances. Linda’s newest program is African American Heroes and Sheroes (grades 4 and up). As a backdrop to her own family’s dreams and goals, Linda Gorham reveals the stories of twenty African American men and women who, over the past 100 years, broke color barriers and had noteworthy accomplishments – often despite difficult circumstances. Gorham incorporates her family’s stories, music, personal narrative, quotes, and interesting facts to commemorate their achievements. Other programs include: The Story of Ruby Bridges (preK-5), Wilma Rudolph & Andy Stanfield (grades 3 and up), The Little Rock Nine (middle school and up), and Rosa Parks and the Montgomery Bus Boycott (middle school and up). Typical 45-60 minute programs include one folktale and one ‘hero’ story.
Watch a one minute promo for African American Heroes and Sheroes: https://vimeo.com/623615187/5ddfe6ecc5
Artist Background
Storytelling was not Linda’s first career. She enjoyed her corporate years in the Actuarial, Human Resources, Training, and Public Affairs Departments for Prudential Insurance Company’s Home Office. But Linda had a creative side that ‘yearned to breathe free,’ so she left corporate life and started her own storytelling business. It was different, a little scary, but a risk she could not ignore as Storytelling gives her an opportunity to expose audiences of all ages to different cultures, teach without preaching, spread the love of books and learning, and travel internationally. Linda has performed with the North Carolina Symphony, at the National Storytelling Festival, and at many storytelling festivals, museums, schools and universities around the country. Her CDs have won several national awards, and the Wall of Names and Voices at the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough, Tennessee includes Linda’s photo and this quote: “Stories, whether family, folk, twisted or true, remind us that embellished is acceptable, simple is complex, and the joy of sharing is priceless. Share some love. Tell someone a story.”
Search Criteria
- Program Type: Performance
- Discipline: Storytelling
- Grade Level: Elementary, High, Middle
- Cultural Context: African-American
- Accepts bookings in Johnston County
- Virtual option available
