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The CH RON IC EE
Volume 45, Number 25
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C
THURSDAY, February 28, 2019
Black History: Storytellers
Throughout the month of February people across the country will be celebrating the lives and legacies of great
African-Americans who made contributions to society.
Local couple has coffee table art book published
BY JUDIE HOLCOMB-PACK
THE CHRONICLE
Cornelia and James Webster admit
right off that they are opposites: she’s the
creative artist and free spirit, often work
ing on several projects at one time; he’s
the serious, former college football
coach, who writes poetry. The combina
tion works for them as they have been
married for 45 years and still hold hands
and look in each other’s eyes like newly-
weds.
Cornelia grew up in Roxboro and
attended A&T State University,
Winston-Salem State University and the
University of Florida. She received her
master’s degree from the University of
Kansas. James graduated from the
University of North Carolina-Chapel
Hill where he played football, then went
on to coach football at colleges across
the country. As the “trailing spouse,” it
was difficult for Cornelia to maintain a
career as they moved about every four
years.
When she was 26 years old, she start
ed painting what she called “Sash Art,”
painting designs on old wooden window
frames. When she finished the first proj
ect, she told herself, “I will never do that
Photos by Judie Holcomb-Pack
Cornelia and Janies Webster with their recently published book, “Society
Conscious.”
again.” But she continued- to paint
frames and create unique art. When the
couple lived in Denver, Colorado, they
opened an art gallery to show her work.
But James’ frequent moves always inter
rupted her art career.
Cornelia said 'she used art to “occupy her
time” while James coached football.
In the early 90s they moved to
Winston-Salem and Cornelia continued
to create art, including painting, collages
and mixed media. In 2010 James saw an
ad for a publisher looking for submis
sions. He had an idea for a book of
Cornelia’s art and told her, “You should
do this.” They contacted. Mike Simpson
of Empire Publishing, who looked at
Cornelia’s art and agreed to work with
them on a book project. They decided
that the art needed narratives to accom
pany them and James nicknamed her art
“his-pictorials” because each piece has
an historical component or comment.
Some people say if you want to test
the strength of your marriage, endure a
home remodeling project. Cornelia and
James said you should try writing a book
together. The project began in 2011, but
during the time they were working on it.
Cornelia was hospitalized four times.
Cornelia said, “We were pretty much
pulled in opposite directions.” The proj
ect, they said, took “patience, under
standing, forgiveness, creativity,” and
was an emotional experience.
■ See Art on A2
Pat Stepney, the ‘Mother of Storytelling’
BY NIKKI BALDWIN
FOR THE CHRONICLE
Pat “Mardia” Stepney, known to many as Ma Pat, Aunt
Pat or Ms. Pat, is recognized for her commanding, sooth
ing voice when sharing a story. Stepney has been a story-
teller all of her life. “I grew up during a time when there
was no TV, just radio. The older people would tell stories
to the children and then the children would tell stories to
each other. The practice of sharing is how I began story-
telling.”
Stepney’s passion for storytelling is obvious and pas
sion is her driving force as she shares her unique gift with
so many in the Winston-Salem area. “I love storytelling
because for one thing, it is my passion. I always loved chil
dren. I always had someone’s baby, when I was old
enough to do so, sitting on my hip. I loved making the
babies and children smile by sharing a story with them.
Storytelling is not just my passion, it is like a spirit bon-
necting, it is just love. Overall, it is a spiritual thing for
me.”
The North Carolina Association of Black Storytellers
(NCABS) honored Stepney on Nov. 3 with a Founder’s
Appreciation plaque for her vision and establishment of
the organization. As a member of the National Association
of Black Storytellers, Stepney was inspired to create
NCABS.
She believes storytelling is important to the African-
American community in helping everyone learn about
their history and culture. Stepney expressed her concern
about the unfinished work that is lacking from curriculums
in today’s schools. “Missing in today’s schools is the lack
of knowledge about the culture and history of African-
Americans. There is only one short month celebrating and
teaching about the culture and history of African-
Americans. Unfortunately, it does riot include a lot of
information about the culture and history. Children can
barely name key figures who contributed to African-
American history. The children farther up north know
about their history and culture, some of the children join
the storyteller’s association. Back in the day, teachers
taught about the history and contributions of African-
Americans; nowadays, it is lacking in today’s school sys
tem.”
Storytelling has such a powerful influence. Stepney
believes and understands the- gift storytelling plays in her
life. “In thinking about storytelling, I just want to continue
sharing stories that encourage people to be free and who
they want to be. People want to be loved and know some
one cares. One can do that by telling your own story. I just
want to be me, whatever God places in my spirit, to reach
and touch someone through my stories, potentially healing
broken hearts, truly inspires and gives me hope. Overall,
my passion and love for all of mankind inspires me to con
tinue sharing my stories with so many.”
Submitted photo
Storyteller Pat Stepney shares a story
Stepney’s gift of her captivating stories can be heard at
this year’s National Black Theatre Festival where she will
perform at two sessions during the festival.
BY TEVIN STINSON-
THE CHRONICLE
Storytellers, and the
art of storytelling, has
always been a rich tradi
tion in African and
African-American culture.
In recognition of Black
History Month, last week-
County
held a
end the
Central
Forsyth
Library
/)
00
Author Fair showcases modern-day storytellers
W
to
CO
showcase for modern-day
storytellers when they
hosted their first African-
American Author Fair.
The event, held in the
auditorium, featured more
than a dozen authors, each
with their own story to tell
and share with the public.
Each of the authors had a
table displaying their book
and contact information.
Throughout the day, they
took turns at the micro
phone to talk about their
book.
Sage Chioma, a local
poet, playwright and
counselor, had her book
there. A collection of var
ious poems written by
Chioma, “Earth is a
Mother’s Hood” features
poems that “honor the
feminine divine.” During
a brief conversation with
The Chronicle, Chioma
said her book is an exten ¬
Photos by Tevin Stinson
The African-American Author Fair held at the
Forsyth County Central Library was designed to
give local authors a chance to connect with read
ers.
sion of what she does
every day.
As a certified sub
stance abuse counselor,
Chioma provides counsel
ing for homeless men,
women and veterans at
Caring Services Inc. in
•High Point. She has also
conducted workshops
with teens in New York
State juvenile detention
centers. Her most recent
endeavor is the develop
ment of “Reunited Love,”
a substance abuse pro
gram that aids families
with loved ones.embark
ing on the path to recov
ery.
“I have worked on the
front lines of addiction for
over 20 years and so I’m
doing poetry and counsel
ing together. What we’re
doing is using poetry and
expressive arts for heal-
The work is like marrying
two things I enjoy most -
the arts and healing. I’m a
practitioner for arts and
healing.”
Chioma said the power
of storytelling is important
because it gives a voice to
the voiceless and gives
people hope that they can
overcome life’s obstacles.
She said, “The power of
story ’is everything,
because everyone of us
has to make the hero’s
journey.
“... We’re all creating
stories all the time. So
now I’m constantly re
writing stories about vic
timhood, about woman
hood, about motherhood,
and I’m writing it from a
place of triumph.”
One of the most popu-
See Author on A2
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