Bobby Norfolk at Folktale Productions

Bobby Norfolk at Folktale Productions An internationally known story performer and teaching artist, this three-time Emmy Award winner is one of the most dynamic story-educators in America!!

Bobby Norfolk grew up a shy child in North St. Louis with a debilitating stutter. Son of an elevator operator and confectionery clerk, Norfolk's future was hazy when he was young. As a youth, Bobby wondered “What could a lost, lonely, discouraged kid from the low-rent blocks of St. Louis do with the rest of his life?”
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Norfolk's path toward storytelling and success began in 1961 when he suddenly

overcame his stutter when performing in a fourth-grade poetry recital. From that moment, his teachers helped him to grow as both an individual and a performer.
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“They saw things in me I didn't see in myself, which is the mark of a master teacher, to see inside the student with low self-esteem (who) hasn't found his or her gifts,” Norfolk said in a recent interview. His teachers put him in drama class, Greek club, poetry recitals and talent shows. “Whenever I performed, I wouldn't stutter.” he said. Bobby began his career as a stand-up comedian in 1975 at local St. Louis comedy clubs and as an actor with The St. Louis Black Repertory Co. Concurrently, he worked ten years at the Gateway Arch in St. Louis as a National Park Service Ranger. In 1979, Bobby made his first appearance as a storyteller at the St. Louis Storytelling Festival, and discovered that through storytelling he was able to combine his theatre and stand-up comedy background to become a “story-performer.” After a Scott Joplin performance at a school in Ladue, MO three teachers said: “Mr. Norfolk, we’ve been talking and we decided that you remind us of a clean Richard Pryor!”
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In television, Bobby won three Emmy awards as the host of the CBS TV show “Gator Tales” and also hosted the Emmy nominated series “Children’s Theater at Bobby’s House.” Both shows were based out of St. Louis and the themes were character education, literacy, and storytelling.

05/30/2026

54.3K likes, 832 comments. “ ”

05/30/2026
05/26/2026

TRAILER: Questlove’s new HBO documentary explores the legacy, music, and cultural impact of Earth, Wind & Fire. Watch the official trailer now. 🌎💨🔥🎥🖤🍦 https://wp.me/pfXyHC-1jwK

05/26/2026

Never misses a beat 🤯 Watch Jaafar Jackson perform 'Beat It' in MICHAEL, in cinemas now!

05/25/2026

Health is very important and is truly the key to me being able to perform as well as I do. I may not speak a lot about health. But, just know that health is the KEY and it’s extremely important on what you eat. I have to be precise on what I eat the day before a performance, right before I perform and especially after I leave the stage. In order to have longevity, I must be particular on what I eat.

Health Is Wealth!!!!




😃 🖤🖤

05/23/2026

The Last Poets were formed on May 19, 1968, (Malcolm X's) birthday), at Marcus Garvey Park in East Harlem.
Some may find the stark honesty of Last Poets shocking or even depressing, so click the link in comments at your own risk, to hear them twist this joint from 1970, that features some roots of rap and hip hop, as well as Buddy Miles playing organ,

05/11/2026
11/08/2025

At 90, Percy Green II is still showing St. Louis how civil disobedience can spark change ✊🏾 From scaling the Gateway Arch to disrupting exclusive events, his bold, nonviolent actions transformed protest culture—and continue to inspire a new generation to fight for justice, jobs, and equity in our city.

'A Need for Action — Still'

🖋 Sylvester Brown, Jr. | The St. Louis American
📸 Wiley Price | The St. Louis American

'The recent “No Kings” rallies held in more than 2,700 cities across all 50 states, making it one of the largest single-day demonstrations in U.S. history, drew an estimated 7 million protesters.

The demonstrations, organized in protest of President Donald Trump’s authoritarian actions and alleged corruption within his administration, were considered a success because of the massive turnout and largely peaceful conduct of participants.

Renowned activist, Percy Green II, 90, regarded the protests as “a good start..."'



https://www.stlamerican.com/news/local-news/a-need-for-action-still/?utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook_St._Louis_American

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