THERE IS A MESMERIZING, CONNECTIVITY THAT HAPPENS, SOMETHING ELECTRIC, A GENEROUS GIVE AND TAKE BETWEEN THE TELLER AND THE LISTENER. WHEN WE CONNECT ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE.

Hi, my name is Satori Shakoor. I’m a storyteller. I come from a long line of storytellers; old, black women from the Alabama, Mississippi Jim Crow South. They told stories to teach, to warn, to entertain, to impart-- they were masters. Listening to them tell a story was like watching a movie in my mind. They could make going to the corner store sound like Lord of the Rings. They spoke the language of storytelling so I learned to speak it too. Storytelling is my gift and calling, a perfect storm of my passion for stories and love of people.

My Passion Led Me to Become a
Master Storyteller, Story Director and Coach. 

This Is What I’ve Learned...

Everyone has at least one story to tell. Truth is, everyone doesn’t know how to tell their story. They don’t know how to express ideas or deliver their message in a compelling way. That’s where I come in...

I Will Coach You To...

• Find Your Story

• Locate Your Core Message

• Discover Your Unique Voice 

• Craft and Hone Your Story

• Deliver Your Story in a Compelling and Entertaining Way

• Move, Touch and Inspire Your Intended Audience

SATORI SHAKOOR: VISIONARY STORYTELLER, ARTIST & SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR

 Satori Shakoor is a dynamic storyteller, multi-disciplinary artist, and accomplished social entrepreneur, recognized as a 2017 Kresge Literary Arts Fellow. Her career began with acclaim as a background singer and recording artist, touring with George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic as one of the iconic Brides of Funkenstein. She later broadened her artistic pursuits, becoming an actor, comedienne, and television comedy writer.

As a founding member and catalyst for the award-winning Obsidian Theatre Company in Toronto, Satori helped establish Canada’s leading culturally diverse theatre company in 1999. Her journey into storytelling began in 2011, where she quickly rose as a Moth Mainstage storyteller and host, captivating audiences on global stages, as well as on PBS, NPR, and acclaimed podcasts. Satori is the host for Detroit Performs Live for Detroit PBS. In 2024, she had the honor to emcee the Kresge Centennial Event where President Barack Obama gave the keynote address.

In addition to her storytelling achievements, Satori is the Executive Producer of the award-winning The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers®, a platform she founded in 2012 in Detroit. This internationally recognized initiative has a mission to connect humanity, heal and transform communities, and deliver uplifting, thought-provoking, and soul-enriching entertainment through the art and craft of storytelling. She also serves as the Executive Director of The Society for the Re-Institutionalization of Storytelling, a Michigan-based nonprofit 501(c)(3). Through these roles, Satori partners with corporations, educational institutions, and faith-based organizations to produce impactful live events.

An expert in the art and craft of storytelling, Satori designs and facilitates workshops for a diverse range of clients, including Duke University, University of Michigan, Detroit Zoological Society, Eleanor and Edsel Ford House, New Economy Initiative, and Michigan Public Health Institute. In 2023, through an ARP initiative she facilitated a storytelling workshop for the national Peer to Peer conference in Washington, D.C. to address issues of sexual assault and domestic violence. Her workshops empower participants with the tools to craft compelling narratives that inspire and engage audiences.

Satori’s impact extends globally. In 2018, she was invited by a peacekeeper of The United Nations to bring The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers to Utrecht, The Netherlands, to address issues of racism impacting Syrian and Somali refugees. She has earned numerous awards and accolades for fostering meaningful dialogue through storytelling. She was also honored by I. Detroit for her contributions to the city’s cultural and social landscape.

A lifelong learner, Satori holds a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Wayne State University, complemented by studies in Music Performance at Michigan State University and Dramatic Arts at the University of Hawaii (Manoa). She honed her comedic and improvisation skills at The Groundlings in Los Angeles and Second City Toronto.

Through her artistry, leadership, and commitment to storytelling, Satori Shakoor continues to transform communities, connect humanity, and inspire a global audience with the power of narrative.