SpokenHeard with Mama Oroki Rice and Susan Dobbe Chase

Native Chicagoan, Mama Oroki Rice is a renowned multimedia artist, social activist, and founder of Sisters on A Journey, a healing ministry for women. This dynamic artist survived childhood trauma, along with mental illness, substance addiction and incarceration as an adult. Mama Oroki has channeled her own challenges into inspiring artistry with phenomenal results. Today, she works through her organization, Sisters on A Journey, serving her community as a licensed social justice minister, writer, actress director, and retreat facilitator.

Mama Oroki first hit the stage as a seven year after snagging the role of Mary in her school’s Christmas pageant. By eighth grade, Mama Oroki has progressed to playing Maria in a production of West Side Story.  Ever the artist, Mama Oroki penned and performed poetry and plays during her time at Lake View High School.  She continued to hone her craft while at Northern Illinois University as a member of the Black Theater Association.  Mama Oroki has acted, directed, and/or produced pieces in conjunction with the University of Wisconsin Odyssey Project, Trinity United Church of Christ’s Adult Drama Ministry and the Hyde Park Community Players. Most recently she brought to life the role of Gingy in the staged-reading of Love, Loss, and What I Wore. Mama Oroki  is in the process of forming her own community theater company which will focus on staged-readings. 

Mama Oroki  engages her creative gifts to aid in self and communal healing using spoken & written word, body movement, and music in the healing process.