By: Pam Perry PR

 At a time when school districts across the country debate what should be taught about race, identity, and American history, Dr. Bryant has stepped forward with a bold call to action. The longtime scholar, cultural preservationist, and director of the Africana Studies Center at Georgia Southern University has launched a Kickstarter campaign for GriotSpeaks: Voices of the Past, Game for the Future. The educational board game and digital learning platform is designed to help young people and adults learn the truth about African history and the African diaspora through play, storytelling, and community engagement.

The campaign, which runs through early December, aims to raise funds for the first production run of the game. It blends historical facts, interactive challenges, and culturally grounded narratives into an experience that feels more like an exciting family competition than a history lesson. Dr. Bryant describes GriotSpeaks as a tool that “teaches the greatness of Africa and the humanity of its people before, during, and after enslavement.”

“We live in a time when history is being rewritten, erased, or softened so that its truth becomes easier to digest,” Dr. Bryant said in an interview. “But our story deserves full truth. When we know our true history, we stand taller. We walk with confidence. We lead with purpose.”

A Scholar Who Has Become a Modern Griot

Dr. Bryant’s professional path explains why she is uniquely positioned to create a project like GriotSpeaks. Her scholarship centers on African American history, Gullah Geechee culture and community identity. She is known for blending academic research with the oral tradition of griots, the West African storytellers who carried history from generation to generation.

Her work focuses on truth telling. She teaches that African history did not begin with slavery, and that the African diaspora should understand the global legacy of its people beyond oppression.

Photo Courtesy: Jeff Brooks

She created the GriotSpeaks curriculum to help students examine four key areas: the innovation of African civilizations before colonization, the reality of the transatlantic slave trade, the resilience of African people across the diaspora and the unique gifts every person carries.

“The purpose is empowerment, not trauma,” Dr. Bryant said. “It is important to know the difficult parts of our history, but it is just as important to know the brilliance, innovation, leadership and excellence that existed long before contact with Europe.”

The new board game expands that mission.

Inside the GriotSpeaks Game

The Kickstarter campaign focuses on a fully developed concept. The game positions players as “Griots in Training,” tasked with gathering historical truths from different regions of Africa and the diaspora. Through question cards, challenge prompts, and story-based tasks, players learn about African empires, Gullah Geechee traditions, Black inventors, global migration, and major cultural touchstones.

Categories include:

• Arts and Culture
• Innovation and Invention
• Geography and Ancient Empires
• Freedom Movements
• Diaspora Journeys
• Gullah Geechee Heritage

Players move across the board by answering questions or completing tasks that require creative thinking, collaboration, or storytelling. The approach enables learners to internalize historical content through hands-on learning rather than mere memorization.

This format mirrors current studies that show students retain more information through movement and narrative. For families, teachers, and community groups, the game offers a fresh model for cultural literacy.

The Kickstarter Campaign

GriotSpeaks launched on Kickstarter with a fundraising goal of $5,000. The all-or-nothing structure means the project must reach the goal to receive funding. Early supporters include educators, librarians, and parents committed to culturally rich learning tools.

The campaign video highlights the griot tradition and the need for culturally grounded education resources. Dr. Bryant appears with the same warmth and clarity she brings into classrooms and public speaking engagements.

“We cannot rely on systems that were not designed with us in mind to tell our full story,” she says in the video. “We must tell our own story. We must preserve our truth.”

Kickstarter rewards include early access to the game, GriotSpeaks merchandise and bundle packages for educators. Community members and organizations can sponsor multiple game sets for schools or youth groups.

Photo Courtesy: Dr. Maxine Bryant

Why GriotSpeaks Matters Now

Education leaders note that this moment in history is particularly urgent for culturally responsive learning tools.

1. History is under pressure.

School districts across the nation continue to debate or restrict lessons on race and American history. Dr. Bryant says this climate makes truth-telling even more important.

“Truth cannot heal us if we never learn it,” she said. “We cannot strengthen identity with half-stories.”

2. Students learn differently.

Today’s learners seek interactive tools and immersive experiences. GriotSpeaks meets that demand without compromising accuracy.

3. Cultural pride leads to empowerment.

Research shows that when Black youth learn about their cultural heritage, they experience stronger confidence, higher academic engagement and a clearer sense of identity. GriotSpeaks offers an accessible way to develop that foundation.

A Bridge Between Generations

Although designed for ages 10 and up, Dr. Bryant says the game is built for families to play together. This format mirrors the real role of griots in African tradition, where elders carry memory and younger generations learn through participation.

Community groups, churches, after-school programs, and mentors have expressed interest in using GriotSpeaks for cultural education and leadership development. Teachers have identified it as a classroom resource for African American history, world history, and humanities courses.

“It is more than a game,” Dr. Bryant said. “It is a vehicle for identity, community, and connection.”

Beyond the Game: The Future of GriotSpeaks

Dr. Bryant views the board game as the first step in a larger educational movement. The full GriotSpeaks brand includes online courses, workshops, and training modules that explore African and African American heritage.

Future expansions may include:

• A digital version of the game
• Regional editions that highlight different diaspora communities
• Teacher guides and lesson plans
• A documentary or film series
• Cultural leadership programs

Dr. Bryant hopes the Kickstarter campaign will help launch a national and international conversation about heritage and truth.

How to Support

GriotSpeaks is available now on Kickstarter. BlkNews readers can visit the campaign page, watch the video, and choose their level of support.

Community members can also help by:

• Sharing the Kickstarter link
• Hosting a small information session or watch party
• Connecting Dr. Bryant with educators or organizations that value cultural learning
• Purchasing classroom or youth organization bundles

“This project is about building a generation that knows who we are and what we come from,” Dr. Bryant said.

A Cultural Moment Worth Backing

Dr. Bryant has created an educational tool that blends history, identity, play, competition, and pride. The game arrives at a time when truth-telling is needed, and when the Black community is calling for more resources that honor lived experience.

GriotSpeaks is more than a game. It is an invitation to remember, reclaim, and teach with purpose. Support the campaign or learn more at Kickstarter.

Website: DrMaxineBryant.com