PRIMARY schools and families are being offered the chance to join a special online storytelling event as part of Black History Month

Usifu Jalloh, an international multi award winning storyteller, will take key stage one and key stage two, five to 11 year old children, on a magical journey into black culture using the transformative power of African storytelling, thanks to Settle Stories.

The charity, which organises what is believed to be the world’s largest free online storytelling festival, Yorkshire Festival of Story, has commissioner the digital storytelling performance for October’s Black History Month.

Usifu, the ‘Cowfoot Prince’ will bring to life the furthest corners of the globe through his engaging use of song, music, dance and language. Children will learn about African culture and heritage, as well as the value of embracing diverse world cultures.

Charles Tyrer, executive director of Settle Stories said: “Our live streamed events harness the power of words and stories to create experiences that are inspiring, educational and entertaining.

“We have worked with Usifu many times in schools and online and the positive impact of his performance cannot be underestimated.

“I remember one encounter in a rural school near Settle where the children were not familiar with seeing people from non white backgrounds and one child went up to Usifu, reached for his hand to examine his skin and asked if he had been born this way.”

With more than 20 years of arts education experience, Sierra Leone born Usifu Jalloh has worked with artists and audiences from a wide range of cultures, enabling him to develop a storytelling style that encompasses international languages, music, dance and story themes. He has won multiple awards, including Sierra Leone’s Excellence Award in Creative Arts, the United Artists Award for Contribution to Promoting Sierra Leone Culture 2012 and Bristol’s Storytelling Grand Slam Award 2012.

He has also co-written and co-published the play, ‘Sweet Peter’, which represents the experience of slavery, colonialism and war in Sierra Leone.

Since its creation in 2010, Settle Stories year round programme of workshops and events now reaches more than 52,000 children a year.

The Settle Stories Black History Month storytelling screening event will take place on Crowdcast on Wednesday, October 20 from 9.30am to 10.15am. A recording will also be available until 12 noon on October 31. Visit: www.settlestories.org.uk/whats_on/black-history-month-storytelling-screening-for-primary/

It is a ‘pay-what-you-can’ event.