My career as a storyteller began unexpectedly but with clear intention. In 1992, as a new mother, I wanted to give my child what my late father had given me: an unapologetic sense of pride in my culture as an African in the Diaspora. Unfortunately, like many young people, I had taken for granted the knowledge and wisdom readily available to me through my father. So, when it was time for me to pass on our people's traditional stories and history to my daughter, I struggled to recall all that the patriarch of my family had imparted to me. This struggle soon turned into a quest to rediscover my culture's stories, poetry, and other folklore.

This quest afforded me an incredible opportunity not only to rediscover the stories and poetry my father shared with me but also to expand that repertoire and share it with people worldwide. The journey blossomed into a full-time career in 1996 and has taken me from my neighborhood library, where I used storytelling to promote literacy, across the seas to Ghana, where I walked in my father's footsteps and performed at an international festival of artists from around the world. I have shared my talents as a storyteller, musician, and vocalist in many cities across the country with a diverse audience.

TAHIRA Productions, Inc. offers dynamic storytelling programs rooted in the African Diaspora, designed to educate, inspire, and entertain. Through a blend of oral storytelling, music, and song, we bring to life tales that celebrate cultural heritage, resilience, and community. Our programs are tailored for schools, national festivals, and commissioned projects, often addressing challenging topics through engaging narratives and interactive performances. Notable works include a libretto on the enslavement of Africans in America and "Unbroken Spirit: 1968 Siege of Wilmington," which captures first-person narratives from the National Guard's nine-month occupation—the longest in this nation’s history—of Wilmington, Delaware, in the aftermath of the assassination of Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

I am also the founder and Program Director of the Wilmington Black Storytelling Residency (WBSR), an initiative to nurture Black storytellers from across the country and preserve Black oral traditions.

“Through storytelling, I seek to amplify unheard voices, fostering dialogue and understanding across generations.”

Have you faced any challenges as a Black business owner? If so, how have you overcome them?

My biggest challenge has been access to capital. The cyclical nature of my business was difficult to adjust to, especially coming from corporate America, where I could count on a paycheck every two weeks.

Organizations like the Small Business Development Center and the Delaware Division of the Arts have proven to be invaluable resources in helping my business obtain the financial resources it needed.

Can you share a success story or memorable moment related to your business?

One of the most memorable moments in my career as a storyteller was being part of the PANAFEST 8 delegation that traveled to Ghana in December 2015. Representing the National Association of Black Storytellers (NABS), we were invited to participate in PANAFEST, a festival dedicated to the history and heritage of the African Diaspora. This experience was both profound and transformative, as it allowed us to connect deeply with our roots and share our rich storytelling traditions with an international audience.

A few interesting facts about me are:

1. I pay my mortgage by telling stories about Black people.

2. I have sustained my career as an artist for more than three decades, not just because of my artistic talents, but because I am easy to do business with.

3. I legally spell my name with all capital letters to remind myself of the sacredness of being a Black Storyteller.

What advice do you have for aspiring Black entrepreneurs?

The best advice I ever received about business was found on a tea bag: “If you honor your word, you will be honored in this world.”

My paraphrase of this wisdom is to have integrity in all that you do. Be someone in your circle of influence that people can count on.

Is there anything else you would like our readers to know about your business?

As an artist, I follow a philosophy I learned from a dear colleague, Andrew Simonet: “No one is coming to save you.” I run my business like my life depends on it because it does.

Please feel free to provide additional anecdotes about your journey, life, or experiences as a business owner. We love a good, entertaining story!

My answers have probably been long enough, LOL. But I will share this quick anecdote: When I told my family that I was quitting my corporate job to become a full-time storyteller, my grandmother said, “You have lost your mind!” My grandfather said, “You have been tellin’ lies all your life.” My mother said, “You can do anything you put your mind to.” Now, thirty years later, I realize that they were all right.

https://www.tahiraproductions.com/