An internationally known storyteller, Valerie Tutson ’87, ’90 AM, received a Sister Ann Keefe Award in June from Providence CityArts for her “contributions to the arts, arts education, and social justice in Providence.” While at Brown, Tutson designed her own concentration, Storytelling as a Communications Art, and also earned a master’s degree in theatre arts. Since 1991 she’s been telling stories that emphasize black traditions—folktales and songs from Africa and the Caribbean, stories about the Underground Railroad and the Civil Rights Movement, and personal tales of her travels in Africa. She performs regularly for school children, as well as at festivals, conferences, and workshops. She is a founding member and executive director of Rhode Island Black Storytellers and is also the director of Rhode Island’s FUNDA FEST: An Annual Celebration of Black Storytelling.
