CHRISTINE B. ARINZE-SAMUEL ED.D
Christine Arinze-Samuel aka: Sistah “Olufemi” Storyteller
As a storyteller, Christine thrives on intimacy with her audience. Christine sees storytelling as mesmerizing and more often hypnotizing. Literacy is an underlining aspect of her storytelling with delivering a story that is understood, enjoyed She was telling stories prior to her membership Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia, Christine Crafted developed and delivers a one woman's storytelling performance "Secrets of the Quilts" narrating as Harriet Tubman. She has honed her skills in portraying historical characters, intertwined with audience participation.
Christine has taught storytelling, developed and delivered storytelling workshops. During her 30 years as a storyteller, she has told at schools, church, private birthday parties, Coweta County Chamber of Commerce, Norcross City Government, Jack & Jill of America, the National Black Arts Festival and at Family Reunions.
Christine is the author of three books: From My Back Porch (a book of poems), Butterfly News (inspirational) and Something Is Missing (children's book.)
Christine is a retired educator with 25+ years of experience having taught all levels inclusive of teaching adults. Christine is a Past President (2018-2019), Program Co-chair and Historian of Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia. Christine is one of the five Rambler In-house Storytellers at The Wren's Nest.
Affiliations
Georgia Storytelling Network (GSN), formerly Southern Order of Storytellers (SOS)
The Wren's Nest Rambler — In-House Storyteller
Metropolitan Atlanta Kwanzaa Association (MACA) Co-Founder
Hillside Truth Center – Freedom Ministry
Performance Summary
Christine performs with the name Sistah Olufemi and considers herself a Georgia homegrown storyteller. She grew up in rural Georgia in an extended family where elders always told stories. As a Georgia educator she infused storytelling in her classroom during her teaching tenure of 30 years.
Christine's performance history includes conventional theatre, educational theatre, film, and voice narration production. Her talents and skills have allowed her to perform at family reunions, schools, libraries, corporate events, and private events. She is best known for her innovative one-woman performance, "Secrets of The Quilts" on the Underground Railroad as the great conductor Harriet Tubman; this performance infuses storytelling and showcase of Christine's 40 years of quilting.
Beyond performance art, Christine has a remarkable engagement with wellness, community and education services: she is a certified reflexologist; Christine is an ordained New Thought minister and contributes service to the Hillside Truth Center Freedom Ministry to support hope and restoration for prisoners.
Also known as Rev. Dr. Christine an Ordained New Thought Minister, she believes the Universe (God) guides her in all endeavors and is Evenly Present Everywhere in her life. She holds fast to her Mission of enhancing whatever space she occupies and whomever life she encounters.
Performances & Venues
Birthday Party Events
Clayton County Office Sales Force-Corporate America Atlanta, GA (Buckhead)
GEEARS - Georgia Early Education Alliance for Ready Students
Hammonds House Museum - Kwanzaa Celebration
Hillside Truth Center
Juneteenth Celebration
National Black Arts Festival
Newnan Chamber of Commerce - Coweta County, GA
Penn Center Festival - South Carolina
Robert S. Alexander Comprehensive High School - Douglass County, Georgia
Secrets of The Quilts: Dekalb County & Atlanta-Fulton Libraries
The Goddard School
The Hauser Williams Russell Family Reunions: Enacted their Ancestor Bethania Hauser-Williams-Russell
Other Achievements
Co-Founder of Atlanta Regional Kwanzaa Association
In the first National Black Arts Festival (NBAF) Parade
Original Hammonds House Museum Community Organizer
Jazz Singer
Published Poet
Public Speaker
Quilter
Reflexologist
Writing Workshop Facilitator
Drama Teacher