We Be Griots

In this episode of We Be Griots, host Esi Lewis sits down with Mark Rumnit, director of the Scholars' Mentorship Program at SUNY New Paltz, to record the personal history of a man whose life has been shaped by resilience, service, and the transformative power of education.

This conversation honors the educators who shaped Mark’s path, the students he has guided, and the community that continues to grow through the Scholars' Mentorship Program. It is a testament to survival, service, and the generational impact of mentorship at SUNY New Paltz.

What is We Be Griots?

A "griot" is a West African storyteller who preserves the genealogies, historical narratives, and oral traditions of their people. Host Esi Lewis created the Dr. Margaret Wade-Lewis Center for Black History and Culture, in New Paltz, NY, to share local Black history. Dr. Wade-Lewis loved people, education, and language. Join us to hear personal narratives of the Black community.

We Be Griots is made in collaboration with Episcopal Campus Ministries, and the SUNY New Paltz Department of Digital Media and Journalism. Audio Producer: Brett Barry; Consulting Producer: Allison Moore