Hi. I am Leah Rich. I am a retired Detroit Public Schools’ teacher. I first became interested in the art of storytelling while working on my teaching certificate. I had a college professor who could tell a story like no other. His ability to spin a tale captivated, inspired and created a desire in me to learn more about this craft. I began to attend various storytelling festivals and decided that this is something I wanted to pursue. I was mesmerized that storytelling had the ability to teach life lessons, build and strengthen character, motivate, encourage, stimulate the imagination, help solve problems and fill in gaps. I felt this skill would be an asset in the classroom.

Michelle Mame Diarra (pronounced "Mom Jar-ah") McKinney is a multi-talented performing artist working as a singer/lyricist, actor/storyteller, percussionist and educational programs producer in the Detroit community. She is presently the executive director of Detroit Sound Conservancy, a community archives, and working at the Wright Museum as an Archivist/Librarian. She tells interactive stories filled with song and rhythm. She is a featured singer with McKinfolk, led by her daughter, drummer/composer Gayelynn McKinney. The ensemble is regularly featured in the Detroit International Jazz Festival. In the future, Michelle Diarra is publishing a sacred music/choral collection composed by her deceased husband, Harold McKinney.