Mama Koku
Mama Koku's Storytellin’
E-mail: mamakokustories@aol.com
Phone: 404-305-8549
Phone: 404-313-2038
Website: www.MamaKoku.com

"Blessed be the day, when we hear Mama Koku say, "A story! A story!" to everyone!  And we eagerly answer, "Let it fly! Let it come!" -- Gran'Daddy Junebug, Master Storyteller .

Mama Koku (aka Donna "Kokumo" Buie) is a Master Storyteller and children's writer. She is also an educator who has taught children at all age levels, from pre-school to high school.

Koku graduated with honors from North Carolina Central University, majoring in Theatre Arts with concentrations in Performance and Education. During her studies at NCCU, she received several awards from both the Education and Drama departments for outstanding achievements in scholarship, performance and service.

Koku has performed as Featured Teller for The Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historic Site,  The National Black Arts Festival,  The Decatur Children's Festival,  Grant Park’s Summer Shade Festival,  Minneapolis' Signifyin' & Testifyin' Storytelling Festival,   Rhode Island’s Funda Fest, Jacksonville,  Florida’s Griot Festival,  The National Association of Black Storytellers Adopt-A-Teller Program (New Orleans),  Florida’s Panhandle Library System,  The Apex Museum,  The Wren's Nest,  The High Museum of Art,   Zoo Atlanta,  The Fulton County Arts Council,  and several church,  library,  school and private venues throughout Georgia.

In the summer of 2003, Mama Koku was commissioned to write the story of the new Georgia International Convention Center, and performed her original piece at its grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony. In 2004, Koku partnered with fellow storyteller, Jeanette W. Vaughn, to write and perform the story of the City of East Point for its 117th anniversary celebration, which was very well received.

One of her greatest achievements to date include a tiny, BUT PIVOTAL! (lol) role in the movie, "The Color Purple".  And no bio would be complete without mentioning Blessid, her daughter. "I'm trying hard to live my dreams so that my daughter will be inspired to live hers."

Mama Koku’s brand of storytellin’ is always high energy and lots of fun! Masks, Music, Melodies, and Morals blend together to make the story come to life!  For Koku, storytelling is not a spectator art form. Members of the audience must jump up and jump in!   

Primarily, Mama Koku gives much gratitude to The Creator Herself (smile), without whom none of the above could have ever been possible. Eternal Thanks!