Big Poppa’s Stories

BY GLORIA ELDER

ABOUT THE STORYTELLER

Storyteller extraordinaire, Gloria Elder contributed her story, “Walk a Mile in Her Shoes” for the April issue of KIZA BlackLit. Known to her family as “Glow Glo,” Gloria has been telling stories for more than 25 years. She enjoys telling stories of her many adventures of growing up around her hero and heroine, loving grandparents who surrounded the family’s many cousins with love and wisdom.

As an Early Childhood Educator and Director, Gloria told stories to children and adults in the day care center every Friday morning. Upon changing careers and missing the children at the day care center, she became a clown and created her act called, “The Magic of Clowning Around.” Her performances included mime, singing, face painting and magic tricks. The themes of her stories include family history, saving our planet and transforming our lives. She performs at birthday parties, in schools, hospitals, churches, cemeteries and at festivals. Gloria is a member of Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia and the National Association of Black Storytellers.

Gloria writes to document her experiences of growing up with loving grandparents and the lessons she learned from them. One of her goals is to encourage grandparents to spend time with their grandchildren, because they are the bridge that connects parents and their children. She is looking forward to compiling a book of stories to leave a legacy for oncoming generations of children, youth and adults.

Big Papa’s Stories

© 2024