About Omenala Griot – Where Culture Lives and Legacy Speaks
Meet the Board of Directors
Our Board of Directors is made up of dedicated individuals committed to the preservation of African heritage and the promotion of cultural equity. Each member brings experience, passion, and leadership to help guide the long-term vision of the museum and event center.
Meet Our Founder
Dr. Narvie Puls
Dr. Narvie Hill Williams Puls was born in Atlanta, GA April 25th, 1933. Dr. Puls was educated in the Atlanta Public School system. She entered Spelman University at the age of 16 and earned her Bachelors degree. Dr. Puls also earned her Masters, from Atlanta University, as well as her PhD from Georgia State university; All while raising two children, Dawn and Kevin Williams.
Dr.Puls' career in teaching spanned over 30 years in which she was a principal over Scott, Humphries, and Crogan Elementaries. Upon Retiring in 1992, Dr. Puls Founded The Omenala-Grito Afrocentric Teaching Museum in the West End of Atlanta. Omenala Grito Museum is a community based museum/event space where Dr. Puls taught, and studied, the true story of African and African-American History.
Dr.Puls transitioned in 2009. Today her son, Kevin Williams, carries the torch and maintains his mother's vision for Omenala-Grito. Kevin Williams , an Atlanta native, still maintains the ideals, concepts, and morays passed down to him by his mother and ancestors. As times change, so does the look of Omenala-Grito Museum, giving new focus on Art by African-Americans showcasing the creative power of the African/Africa-American Diaspora.
Museum Director
Kevin Williams
Atlanta native Kevin Williams, born Sept 19, 1954, never thought he would be running the Omenala Griot Afrocentric Museum and Event Center.
After graduating from Marist Military Academy in 1972, Mr. Williams traveled the world with the international singing group UP WITH PEOPLE for four years performing in the royal Albert Hall in London, England, the Arena de Verona in Rome, Italy, as well as the Aaire Crown Theater in Chicago, Illinois. Upon returning to Atlanta, Mr. Williams enrolled in Georgia State University aspiring to become an accountant. After working as store manager for Genesco Inc. and becoming the first African American sales rep for JIM WALTERS PAPER CO, Mr. Williams began working for the Atlanta Board of Education as a plumbers' helper in 1989. In 1995 Mr. Williams enrolled in plumbing school and achieved the position of master plumber II unrestricted by the state of Georgia. Mr. Williams started his own plumbing business and still works with the school system today.
In 1993 Mr. Williams assisted his mother Dr. Narvie Puls and stepfather Richard Puls. open the Omenala Griot Afrocentric Museum. In 2009 Mr. Williams' beloved mother transitioned, and to this day Mr. Williams carries on his mothers' dream and is the Director and co-owner of the Omenala Griot Afrocentric Museum and Event Center.
Our Mission, Our Values
Our mission is to rectify, reclaim, and restore the stories, achievements, and experiences of African-descended people throughout the world. We do this through interactive museum exhibits, community education, event hosting, and cultural programming rooted in African-centered principles.
We believe:
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Black history is world history
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Culture should be experienced, not just observed
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Representation matters in education
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Community is the foundation of identity
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Healing happens through truth-telling and celebration
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Recovery meetings are also available
Unlike traditional museums, Omenala Griot is intentionally interactive. Visitors are encouraged to engage with exhibits — to listen, speak, touch, and reflect. Every tour, every mural, every gathering is meant to connect people across generations, backgrounds, and lived experience.
Community Wellness and Weekly Classes
As part of our commitment to holistic well-being, we offer weekly Pilates classes every Tuesday. These classes invite the community into a healing, grounding space that promotes movement, mindfulness, and collective strength.
We also offer recovery meetings centered around understanding, compassion, and vulnerability. We have fostered a safe space for all, whether you have 3 months or 30 years.
We believe that cultural centers should not only educate the mind but also nourish the body and soul. Our wellness programming is part of our vision for complete community care.
Our Work and Our Space
The museum includes a variety of permanent and rotating exhibits that explore African kingdoms, resistance movements, global contributions, cultural expressions, and the legacy of survival and strength in the African diaspora. We incorporate artifacts, oral histories, educational narratives, and community perspectives throughout the experience.
Outside, the garden walls are lined with vibrant murals and Afrocentric artwork. Inside, our galleries are warm, dynamic, and rooted in African symbolism and spiritual meaning. The result is an experience that feels less like a traditional museum and more like stepping into living history.
We also serve as an event venue, hosting everything from:
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Baby naming ceremonies
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Family reunions
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Spiritual events and memorials
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Weddings and receptions
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Birthday parties and community celebrations
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Educational programs and workshops
The space includes both indoor and outdoor settings, a kitchen, accessible restrooms, and flexible layouts for different types of events.
Volunteer with Omenala Griot
Our programs thrive thanks to dedicated volunteers. Opportunities include:
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Museum tours & docents
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Event support
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Groundskeeping & beautification
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Admin & outreach
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Youth education
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Community garden
We offer flexible schedules, a welcoming community, and the chance to give back in a meaningful way. If you value history, culture, and legacy — join us today!
Our Future Vision
Looking ahead, Omenala Griot will continue to grow. We are actively working on expanding our educational offerings, developing new exhibits, increasing accessibility, and strengthening our relationships with schools, universities, and community partners.
We’re also exploring new digital tools to reach wider audiences and better serve young learners. Our goal is not only to preserve the past — but to shape the future, by empowering communities with knowledge, pride, and connection.
This work matters. And we invite you to be part of it.
A Legacy Born from Truth
Founded in 1992, Omenala Griot Afrocentric Museum & Event Center was established to fill a void. At the time, very few institutions existed where African and African American history could be explored, honored, and experienced without distortion. Too often, textbooks left out crucial contributions or narrowed Black history to slavery and civil rights alone.
Omenala Griot was created to change that — to present a full-spectrum view of Black excellence, from ancient African civilizations to contemporary community impact. The name “Omenala” means customs and traditions, while “Griot” refers to the oral historians of West Africa — those who preserved cultural memory across generations. Together, the name represents a sacred responsibility to preserve truth, promote identity, and pass down legacy.
For over 30 years, this space has served as a cultural cornerstone in Atlanta’s West End neighborhood, welcoming thousands of visitors, educators, families, artists, and elders from all walks of life.
