Our Host Kourtney Joseph will set the tone for the night!

Kourtney Joseph has spent many of her younger years traveling. Growing up in a military family has exposed her to many people around the United States. She was always surrounded by variety and diversity, but never felt like she could genuinely fit into any group she was a part of. Kourtney has always wanted to establish a change in the communities she has lived and learned in.

In High School, she worked with the debate team to reach out to more women and minorities to create more diversity in the young public speaking world. Now she studies History, Politics and Global Affairs, Spanish, and Communications at Wesleyan College. She is pursuing her passion for campaigning and politics by researching politicians to help understand how different groups are being campaigned to and let people's voices be heard. In her free time, Kourtney loves to cuddle with her miniature schnauzer, read books, and take long walks in the arboretum.

Welcome to the stage Wesleyan's own, Chi Ezekwueche!

Born in Northern Nigeria, Iyom Chiebonam “Chi” Ezenwugo Ezekwueche, is an artist, a community/cultural, activist, and a Financial Professional/Educator/Agent.

A graduate of St. John’s University College of Pharmacy and also of Wesleyan College, she chaired the Board of the Tubman African American Museum, Macon, Georgia (1996-2000); Co-chaired the Capital Campaign for the new Tubman Museum; initiated the museum’s All That Jazz Annual Fundraiser; founded the Pan African Festival of Georgia and founded the Otu Umunne Cultural Organization, Inc. to educate children about their Igbo/Nigerian heritage which will help them become well-rounded citizens of the USA.

She is a recipient of many awards including the Algernon Sydney Sullivan Award 2019 by Wesleyan College.

Ezekwueche is loved and supported by her husband (Dr. Christian Mbamalu Ezekwueche), children, grandchildren, in-laws, and wonderful friends.

She believes that whoever much is given, much is expected. Her name, Chiebonam (her personal God, Chi, will never give her a load heavier than she can carry) has become part of her philosophy on life.

She believes in filling her space with love, peace, hope, and oneness.

Welcome to the stage George Cauble!

George Cauble was born and raised in Acworth, Ga. and relocated to Macon in August 1991. He recently retired after nearly 40 years in the income tax business (H&R Block). This young man has six grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

George is affectionately known as the “Sign Up Guy” at Storytellers. He has worked the front desk for nearly every event. He also serves as the treasurer for Storytellers Macon

"What I love about Storytellers is that … everyone has a story to tell, and Storytellers allows people to tell that story in a free, uncensored and supportive way. Witnessing other participants has allowed me to see how so many people from so many diverse backgrounds have many of the same hopes, fears and dreams."

Welcome to the stage Clarence Thomas, Jr.!

Clarence W. Thomas, Jr. is the current Supervisor at Frank Johnson Recreation Center. The native Maconite’s path to this position began as a member of Savannah State University’s inaugural Mass Communications class in 1986 upon graduating.

Thomas sees his being assigned Frank Johnson Recreation Center as coming full circle. He lived a few minutes away as a youngster and utilized the facility to recreate as a child. “This recreation center has been a valued member of the Unionville community since 1976,” said Thomas. “My intent is to keep it that way in the hearts and minds of this generation and generations to come, to ensure that it lives up to the standards of the man (Frank Johnson) whom after the center is named.”

In addition to working full-time as a Recreation Center Supervisor, Thomas continues as a communications specialist as the CEO of his 2003 founded company Visionary Communications. Through it, he serves as a contracted public and media relations, writing projects, and communications consultant freelancer.

He is the recipient of numerous recreation awards including Programmer of the Year for 2014, Georgia Recreation Parks Associations 2019’s Distinguished Professional, and 2020’s presenter of the “Best Virtual Innovative Video.”

Welcome to the stage Patricia Lester!

Patricia Lester, aka Miss Pat, was born in Lyons, GA to Elaise Whigham & David Williams in 1950, accompanied in childhood by 2 sisters and 3 brothers.

She received her teaching certificate in special education in Omaha, NE, and then moved with extended family to Miami, FL where she started working at a bookstore and eventually worked in the Admission Office at Florida Memorial College. In Miami she also worked in the music industry giving her a life-long love of all music, supplemented by a waitressing job at a famous restaurant, these skills would lead her to her next life in Macon, GA. She vowed if she ever left Miami, Macon would be her destination, and that became a reality in 1986. She quickly found a home with the Grant Family starting in the office and waitressing, bartending, and becoming a staple at Cheryl’s Restaurant and the infamous Grant’s Lounge. One year, turned to two, turned to now 35 years.

With a heart of gold and a self-assured attitude, you will never see Miss Pat sitting on the sidelines at Grant’s Louge, rather you will see her dancing the night away next to the many who’s who in the Macon music scene. Her love of track in High School developed a love for movement today. She is proud of her daughter Trina S. Hughes, son Charles P. Marshall, her six grandchildren, and 5 great grands and looks forward to the arrival of twin great-grands.

Welcome to the stage Janice Habersham

Janice Habersham is a native of Gary, Indiana. Her education includes a B.S. in English and a Masters in Library Science from Indiana University (1972, 1974), and a Specialist Degree in Instructional Technology from The University of Georgia (1991).  

In 1975, she started her career at Middle Georgia College in Cochran, Georgia as a Reference Librarian. Since 1976, Ms. Habersham served in the Bibb County Public Schools as a Media Specialist at Winship, Danforth, and Skyview Elementary Schools. She retired in 2012 after 38 years of service after being honored as Media Specialist of the Year five different times during her career.

Since retirement in 2012, Ms. Habersham has served as a storyteller and drama instructor for the Douglass Stageworks Theatre Camp, and the Phillips Fine Arts Programs. She was elected as the Georgia Retired Educators Association, Area 8 Director 2018-2022. She serves on Keep Macon-Bibb Beautiful Exec Board as Board Chair-Elect 2023 and Education Chair. She has served as the storyteller for Middle Georgia Regional Library Prime Time and she is a past Chair and current member of the Middle Georgia Regional Library Board. She is employed as a tour guide for Visit Macon Visitors’ Bureau. Mrs. Habersham is also an executive member of the Morning Music Club of Macon. She is on the Executive Board of the Bibb Retired Educators Association and co-director/pianist for the BREA Chorale. She also serves on Macon’s Georgia Civic Awareness Program for Students Board.

However, Janice’s greatest blessing is her family- Jerry (spouse), Jeremy (son), and Jasmine (daughter) who are all gifted musicians.

Welcome to the stage Edward Grant!

A lifelong resident of Macon, Georgia. The only son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward N. Grant, Sr. was born in 1954 and educated in the Bibb County Public School System. He attended Henry A. Hunt Elementary and Peter G. Appling High schools, prior to becoming a member of the very first graduating class of Northeast High School following integration. He attended Morris Brown College in Atlanta where he majored in music. This interest in the entertainment and promotions fields led to three years of employment as a musician and backup artist with Spring Records.

Edward Grant found his second career in the financial services industry after beginning work as a financial planner for the A. L. Williams Company. He obtained both Series 7 and Series 26 levels of licensure with the Security Exchange Commission. Following a combined sixteen years of sales, marketing, and serving as a Regional Vice President in 1982.

In August of 1990 Started Fast Cash, a money service enterprise and mobile check-cashing service, It operated successfully for two decades in the middle Georgia region. This unique business supplied an array of traditional financial services to target segments of the non-banking community, such as migrant farmers; temporary laborers, construction crews, TDY personnel, and similar employees who choose not to commit to a permanent banking establishment.

Edward has held several professional affiliations, currently, he will be serving as the New District Commissioner for the Boy Scouts of Central Georgia. In his spare time, he enjoys playing music, traveling, exploring new places, and meeting new people.

Welcome to the stage Roselle Holcombe! 

Roselle Holcombe has always been drawn to artistic and social pursuits growing up in Chicago. After getting a Psychology/Theatre Bachelor’s degree from the University of Illinois, she studied photography and, to the surprise of her friends and family, joined the Army at age 24 to pursue her passion.

After 7½ years in the service, she used her writing and photography skills in San Antonio, Texas producing company newsletters at Holt Company of Texas and marketing at Ford, Powell and Carson Architects. She was also on the board of Women in Communications, Inc. in San Antonio.

After moving to Macon in 1992, she rekindled her interest in social service and volunteered as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for 6 years. This spurred her to get her Master’s degree in counseling, became a Licensed Professional Counseling, and then get certified as a School Counselor. She retired from the Bibb County School system a few years ago and continued to support outpatient therapy until a few months ago. Recently retired completely, she is pursuing activities she enjoys including the Wesleyan Academy for Lifelong Learning (WALL), being on the WALL Curriculum Committee, Film Guild/Film Festival participation, clogging, travel, and is exploring her skills at storytelling.

She’s happy to explore her interests in her own time—“Too bad it had to happen when I’m so old!!” She is enjoying living life on her own terms and meeting wonderful people in the process.