Have you ever been so excited to phone someone that your hands shook as you dialed? That is how I felt this week when I called Diane Macklin for an interview. One of the country’s most revered storytellers, this phenomenal woman is using her gift to educate children and adults about history, diversity and peace.

Diane is a griot, a communicator of oral tradition that uses stories and a dynamic, interactive style to convey messages of historic value and wisdom to her audiences. (Diane humbly explained to me that the title of griot is an honored one that must be bestowed on her by others and not one that she calls herself.) In the griotic style, she tells stories from Africa and America, and feels that through story she can help to unite “…our incredibly diverse culture. We all have a story, just as we all have a beating heart.”

Diane was enthusiastic about the opportunity to reach out to Silver Spring residents. She says, “I really enjoy the diversity of Silver Spring. There are so many people in the community working to preserve the identity of Silver Spring and embrace people of all groups, economic backgrounds and ethnicities.”

After careers as a conflict resolution specialist and a classroom teacher – in which she used her storytelling and acting skills in faculty roles “just for the love of it” – she decided to pursue a new path. This new path allowed her to “make the connections between history and community, the human experience,” and storytelling became her full-time job. Diane says that she feels very blessed and grateful that she can make an art she loves her career, and that when people come and listen to her stories, she feels as if they give her a gift.

Please come with your child to her upcoming storytelling events:

Saturday, February 9th at 2pm Diane shares “Sankofa,” tales celebrating America’s African roots for children ages 5 & up at the Silver Spring Library, a special program in honor of Black History Month and Library Lovers Month. Free.

Select Mondays at 10:30am: February 4th & 25th, March 3rd & 10th, April 7th & 21st, May 5th & May 19th at the Smithsonian National Museum of African Art
In the Let’s Read About Africa series for ages 5-10, Diane introduces young audiences to current and classical children’s literature about Africa. Each story is followed by an art activity. Free.

Be sure to watch aparentinsilverspring’s calendar for all upcoming performances by this amazing woman.

Thank you Diane Macklin, A Parent in Silver Spring’s Woman of the Week!