Membership

Are you interested in supporting storytelling as an art form? 

Do you wish to support the maintenance of this art form as a practitioner either professionally or as an amateur? 

Would you prefer to remain in the background doing the things that need to be done for maintaining the tradition of the African Storytellers, Griots and Jalis?


If you answered yes to any of the above questions, why not join us and become a supporting member of the Black Storytellers Alliance (BSA). 

BSA is a 501 (C) 3 non-profit organization dedicated to preserving and perpetuating the art form of storytelling from an African/African American perspective.


Membership is simple and easy. Select the membership button below and we’ll send you a membership card! BSA memberships are either General or Practitioner based.

Minnesota Storytellers

Vusumuzi Zulu
Email: [email protected]

Danielle Daniel
Email: [email protected]

Joshua Gillespie (Brotha Ase)
Email: [email protected]
Yt: 612_Brotha Ase
IG: Brotha_Ase
Spotify 1: Brotha Ase
Spotify 2: AseEuei ShangoYe

Mariama Imani (Gillespie)
Email: [email protected]

Kristie Lazenberry
Email: [email protected]

Verlena Matey KeKe
Email: [email protected]

Dr. Ora Hoakes
Email: [email protected]

Lazya Smith

Saleemah Shabazz Salahud-din ( Alla Le Ka Jaliya Da)

Aunty Beverly Cottman

General Membership

General membership is $15 per year. Tax deductible, includes BSA’s quarterly newsletter

Practitioner Membership

Practitioner Membership is $35 per year for the same benefits above, but requires the member to complete a six (6) month apprenticeship with BSA or provide demonstration of a comparable completion of a storytelling apprenticeship from the African perspective.