Valerie Tutson celebrates people’s culture and identity through storytelling

Valerie Tutson believes wholeheartedly in using stories to educate, heal, empower and honor. She is unwavering in her belief that through this work, communities can be built, hate and fear can be overcome and individuals can achieve their highest potential.

She often elects to share powerful stories of African captive history. Stories most Americans, regardless of background, know little about. Tutson’s stories are usually regarding family and community, choices and empowerment, as well as the detrimental impacts of inequity, abuse, and oppression, based on race, gender, class and economic status.

“In my work as a storyteller I am committed to building community. I use stories to help people to learn about themselves and others. When you hear your own story, the stories of women, the stories of women of color you can’t help but feel empowered,” Tutson says.

Tutson is a graduate of Brown University, with a self designed major “Storytelling As a Communications Art,” and a masters in theatre. Since 1991, she has traveled the country and world teaching storytelling, while gathering and sharing stories and songs. She is a founding member and volunteer executive director of the Rhode Island Black Storytellers, and director of FUNDA FEST: An Annual Celebration of Black Storytelling. 

Tutson is a recipient of the Rhode Island Foundation’s 2009 non-profit leaders fellowship award. And for years, Tutson hosted Cultural Tapestry, an award winning show for Cox 3, which provided a forum for underrepresented communities to share their own experience on TV.

“When Valerie gets up on stage she may or may not know exactly what performance she intends to give, but a bit of interaction with her audience often helps her make this decision. Once a decision is made, Valerie tends to take a moment to transform into character and we witness this through her taking a deep breath and closing her eyes. When she opens her eyes the transformation is complete and we are drawn into this incredible, magical place that only the most gifted storytellers can bring to us,” Catalina Martinez, Rhode Island Black Storytellers board member says.