Satori Shakoor shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Satori, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: What’s more important to you—intelligence, energy, or integrity?
Integrity is more important to me than anything. Integrity engenders trust, confidence and a place to stand in relationships, partnerships and in the world. Without integrity there is no workability, only breakdowns..
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Satori Shakoor. I am a storyteller, multi-disciplinary artist, and accomplished social entrepreneur, recognized as a 2017 Kresge Literary Arts Fellow. My career began as a background singer and recording artist, touring with George Clinton and Parliament/Funkadelic as one of the iconic Brides of Funkenstein. I broadened my artistic pursuits, becoming an actor, comedienne, and television comedy writer. These quirky experiences and choices led to and gave me a path to a very electic, fun and interesting life.
I moved to Toronto in 1996 to further pursue my acting career and became a founding member and catalyst for the award-winning Obsidian Theatre Company. I’m very proud to have helped establish Canada’s leading culturally diverse theatre company in 1999 that is still going strong today. My official journey into storytelling began in 2011, where I quickly rose as a Moth Mainstage storyteller and host. This led to me finding the absolute purpose, joy and love of my life; performing for audiences on global stages, as well as on Detroit PBS, NPR, and acclaimed podcasts. I was subsequently invited to host Detroit Performs Live for Detroit PBS. In 2024, I had the honor to emcee the Kresge Centennial Event where President Barack Obama gave the keynote address. I was blown away by this honor.
In addition to my storytelling achievements, I am the Executive Producer of the award-winning The Secret Society of Twisted Storytellers®, a platform I founded in 2012 in Detroit. The Secret Society Of Twisted Storytellers has a global mission to connect humanity, heal and transform communities, and provide uplifting, thought-provoking, and soul-enriching entertainment through the art and craft of storytelling. I also serve as the Executive Director of The Society for the Re-Institutionalization of Storytelling, a Michigan-based nonprofit 501(c)(3). Through these roles, we partner with corporations, educational institutions, and faith-based organizations to produce impactful live events. Everyday is unique, fun and interesting. I meet so many people and get to know them intimately through their stories. I learn something knew everyday.
I design and facilitate storytelling 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 I was invited to faciltate a storytelling workshop for the national Peer to Peer conference in Washington, D.C. to address issues of sexual assault and domestic violence. My workshops empower participants with the tools to craft compelling narratives that inspire and engage audiences.
In 2018, I 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. I have earned numerous awards and accolades for fostering meaningful dialogue through storytelling. I was also honored by I. Detroit for my contributions to the city’s cultural and social landscape.
Recently, I am working with Governor Gretchen Whitmore and the Michigan Women’s Commission in their initiative to educate women throughout Michigan about menopause. I spoke to their group in 2023, when I was filming, “Confessions of a Menopausal Femme Fatale” a standup, storytelling, concert film I wrote, produced and developed. Since then I have been invited to be on panels and most recently to do a red carpet screening of my film with AARP. Pinch me. Who knew that something as natural as breathing to me could lead me to my calling, my purpose to serve and be the love of my life? None of this could have possibly happened without the support of community, teams, grants and donors. If anyone thinks they can do anything by themselves I’m here to say you cannot.
I’m a lifelong learner, I hold 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). I honed my comedic and improvisation skills at The Groundlings in Los Angeles and Second City Toronto.
Appreciate your sharing that. Let’s talk about your life, growing up and some of topics and learnings around that. What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
My earliest memory of feeling powerful was in 6th grade. One of my classmates, Zandra Harris was poor. She came to school smelling of urine, untidy and unkempt. The other kids liked to tease and prank her. I remember that in one of our classes they put glue on the bottom her chair. I didn’t think it was right so I stood up for her and wouldn’t allow her to sit. I never became friends with Zandra, but I was in touch with something I couldn’t identify at the time. Principle. Since that time I have stood up to power. When I sense something isn’t fair, that motivates me to act to correct it.
When did you stop hiding your pain and start using it as power?
I stopped hiding my pain when I began to share my life through storytelling. I was present to the super power of storytelling. It was freeing to let go of hiding shame, secrecy or self-judgment. What I found instead was a community of people who identified with my experience and offered their support. That is why I am committed to encouraging, training and providing people with a platform to share their lives through storytelling. Self acceptance is powerful.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is an aspect of the “real me.” I am “real” in public but if you dropped by for a visit at my home you would see a woman without makeup, lashes and a nice wardrobe. I like being relaxed in jeans, baggy pants and t-shirts. I like watching movies, talking on the phone and/or doing absolutely nothing.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Yes. Giving my everything is not for praise. It is a measurement of growth. It is in the discovery that what I thought my best is no longer my best. There is a new best to achieve. I love the challenge in knowing that I am practicing the integrity of doing my excellent best in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.satorishakoor.com and https://twistedtellers.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/satorishakoorfilms/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/satori-shakoor-22731813
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SatoriShakoorFilms
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/SecretSocietyStories
Image Credits
Felicia Tolbert – Starpointe Photography
