GRIOT (gre-o, gre’o, gre’ot) noun

In the West African past, history was not written but was remembered by the griots and griottes. Once, they were historians, genealogists, advisers to nobility, entertainers, messengers, praise singers, they held the memory of their people in their hearts and minds. The griot is a storyteller the archivist of his or her people’s traditions and the culmination of their lineage as the role is passed from parent to child.

Griots today draw on the same repertoire of songs, some nearly a thousand years old, to keep the history of their people alive and many are popular singers who reinterpret traditional songs. 

It is said that when a griot dies, a “library” burns down.  GRIOT Circle envisions griots/griottes who are empowered to step forth from a past of hiding themselves, their histories, messages, and knowledge to a present of being the catalyst for change.  Speaking for themselves, for those elders still under the yoke of silence, and for youth who need to know their history, demanding a space to rejoice, sing, and tell the stories of their past. GRIOT exists so that the “libraries” which house our LGBT community histories will not be destroyed.

A Circle of Elders Stories From the GRIOT Circle

Featuring: Robert E. Penn, Reverend Paul Darling, Evelyn Whitaker, Lillie Wheatley, Regina Shavers

Many of us, born in the 20s, 30s, and 40s, are accustomed to concealing major parts of ourselves to ensure our survival. Not comfortable with today’s openness, we find it difficult to explain our families, our friends, and our lifestyles to traditional senior organizations.

GRIOT Circle is a safe space where we can relax, hang out, and share our experiences in a warm and supportive environment. We can reconnect with old friends, meet new ones, and affirm our lives and our community.