Bio of Decee cornish

 INTRODUCING DECEE CORNISH            
 
Oral Historian, Writer, Griot Storyteller, Educator, Multi-Cultural Program Provider Consultant, Keynote Speaker.
     
He has been telling in Texas, parts of Kansas, Louisiana, and the mid-west for over 18 years. Mr. Cornish shared the stage with Andy Offit, Rex Ellis, Tim Tingle, Elizabeth Ellis, Debbie Allen, Nicki Ginovani, Dan Kelding, Bobby Norfork, Donald Davis, and more.
ONE MAN SHOWS

His one man shows 
The Life and Times of Gator Bill  and 

To Love the Earth, America’s Unsung Hero George Washington Carver earned him the “Live Theater Award” from the Fort Worth Arts Council in 2013​
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PROGRAMS
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His programs for spring and fall include; Martin Luther King, Woman’s History Month, Black History Month, and multicultural programs that focus on the accomplishments and contributions of all Americans.
 
HERITAGE AND MILITARY

​Texas History, the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, Native American folklore, traditional folklore from around the world, stories of myths, tall tales, and fantasy.
His personal stories reflect growing up in the inner city and experiences as a member of the military, traveling and studying worldwide. His programs are informative, educational and often laugh out loud FUNNY!!!

REFERRAL
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FESTIVALS 
 
He has been a featured teller in festivals statewide, including the Annual Tejas Storytelling Festival in Denton Texas, the Houston Storytelling Festival, the George West Storyfest, Storytellers of the High Plains and the Texas Librarian Association’s (TLA) annual conference.
 
WORKSHOPS

He conducts multi-cultural workshops and participates in diversity seminars at major colleges, universities and organizations throughout the Midwest and Texas. 
  1. Storytelling 101 Introduction to Storytelling
  2. Storytelling 201 Diagramming
  3.        "The Nuts and Bolts of Storytelling"
  4. Storytelling to Improve Literacy
  5. Telling the African American Story
  6. The Art of Multicultural Storytelling
  7. Storytelling to Teach About Anger and Violence
  8. Storytelling to Support Curriculum
  9. Storytelling to Promote Healing

AUTHOR

Mr. Cornish  is a published author who writes and develops stories for all ages.

Decee’s work as an author and performer was recognized with the Live Theater Award by the Fort Worth Arts Council in 2013.

He enjoys working with young people in classrooms using stories to model good decision making skills, appropriate behavior and use of critical thinking; all the while being entertaining and “keeping it real” (fun that is!) Hear the “Urban Aesop” at his best.
 
AWARD WINNING STORYTELLER

Decee’s work with at-risk youth in the DFW Metroplex was recognized by the; Presidential Committee of the Arts and Humanities with the Coming Up Taller Award in 2004.
 
Between 2004 – 2007 he was recognized by the I have a Dream Foundation for his service for the youth of our nation.  
 
Between 2008 and 2016, Mr. Cornish was the five time champion at the Texas State Storyteller competitions. In 2015, he was the winner of the National Storytelling Network Slam Competition.
 
IN A DAY WITH DECEE
Participants will: roar like a lion, meet a talking snake, soar like an eagle, dance with the devil, outsmart a bully, sing like a mermaid dance and travel on the Underground Railroad, and play African drums. Multi – Cultural History, Tall Tales, Myths, and Ghost Stories ...all age appropriate.
 
He is an insightful storyteller who is entertaining, empowering and informative for the students and staff.
​Parkhurst Brothers Publishers
PO Box 356
Marion, Michigan 49665
www.parkhurstbrothers.com
501-663-3551
 
 
 
To:  Texas Commission for the Arts
Date:  December 11, 2013
 
 
Dear Friends,
 
It is my pleasure to recommend the spoken-word artist and storyteller DeeCee Cornish to you today.  I first heard DeeCee on stage at the Texas Library Association fifteen years ago, and I was immediately impressed with the authenticity of his material, the genuineness of his delivery, and his commanding stage presence.  Ever since that evening, I have known that Mr. Cornish connects very powerfully with audiences of all ages.  It has been my pleasure to see him perform or emcee several programs during the intervening years, and I have found him to be consistently knowledgeable of his material, consistently in touch with his audiences, and consistently professional in every way.
 
Sincerely,
 
 
 
Ted Parkhurst
President
(and former chairman of the National Storytelling Network)

DECEE AND HIS PEOPLE

Decee and Stepping Into Destiny Artist Guild member Erma Bonner-Platte

​Decee and Elvis?
Presenting the JUNETEENTH License Plate with Senator Mark Veasey