Gertrude Blanks Storytelling Event (First Church)

Program Type:

Lecture/Workshop

Age Group:

Adult
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Description

This program will take place at First Church in West Hartford, 12 South Main Street.

Join the West Hartford Public Library as we celebrate Gertrude Blanks’ contributions to the community by keeping storytelling alive. Neighbors will share their stories of life-changing experiences. Featuring Storytellers: Andre Keitt, Mike Keo, and Keren Prescott.

The storyteller bios are as followed:

Andre Keitt

Andre Keitt has been storytelling for over two decades, spinning from a list of over thirty story programs he created from his love of reading about Africans, African Americans, Dinosaurs, and Spooky stuff. Andre is known for telling stories cooked up by his grandmother Martha Greatheart Thompson, his beloved “Mama Thompson”, who told stories about her village. He is also an independent freelance speaker, drama teacher/coach, and program facilitator/coordinator.

 

Mike Keo

Mike Keo is a storyteller, public speaker and photographer who weaves personal and community narratives to create a local dialogue on equity, inclusion, anti-racism, and collaboration. He is the founder of #IAMNOTAVIRUS, a co-op that highlighted Asian American stories across the diaspora and successfully advocated for the No Hate Act. He currently serves on Governor Lamont’s Hate Advisory Crimes Council and was recognized as 40 Under 40 for the Connecticut Class of 2023.

 

Keren Prescott

Keren Prescott is a mother of three beautiful Black babies (Jaden, Johnny, and Jordyn), an activist, advocate, organizer, business owner, author, survivor, Multiple Sclerosis warrior, and a La Salle University alum with a degree in psychology. She is a powerful yet soft Black woman! Keren started her activism in Manchester, CT, first by advocating for her Black children and other Black and Brown children in the Manchester public school system. Keren is the founder of POWERUP – Manchester (one of many branches of PowerUp CT), which started days after the murder of George Floyd to call attention not just to his murder but also to systemic racism through the US, CT, and right in Manchester.

Please park in the Isham Garage, parking will be validated at the church.

This program is generously supported by the Thomas F. Kilfoil Memorial Bequest, West Hartford Library Foundation.