Tolson’s scholarly interests in multicultural children’s literature stems from her experiences as a mother and a storyteller. As the mother of three young children living in Detroit, Tolson was appalled by the lack of children’s books for people of color. “I was looking for books for my son and I was frustrated that I could not find children’s books that depicted his image.” This drive led her to conduct careful research on books and bookstores that sell black literature. Eventually, Tolson found a black children’s book and music store in the Detroit area. She became involved with the black community that grew around the store and with researching and learning about children and adult books written and illustrated by people of color. Tolson and a close friend started writing their own stories, and they worked diligently to become accomplished storytellers. These experiences led Tolson to return to school to pursue a M.A. in African World Studies at the University of Iowa where she became active in the local theatre community and immersed in black and African studies. She so enjoyed the active cultural community and the support and guidance of her mentors at the University that she stayed at the University of Iowa to earn her Ph.D. in English Education.

Tolson teaches courses at Illinois State on storytelling, Black literature, African-American and multi-cultural children’s literature, the literary and oral culture of the African Diaspora, and women’s studies through a multicultural lens. One of her current research projects focuses on West African folklore. During the 2002-2003 academic year, Tolson researched and taught as a Fulbright Fellow at the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, West Africa. She taught primary reading education and conducted research on the Ananse stories, which are oral and literary stories on the trickster-spider Ananse that are common cultural teaching tools in Ghanese communities.

Although Tolson’s life is centered on her scholarly work and her commitments to developing literacies in local communities, she is devoted to her loving and supportive family: husband Kenneth, daughters Kennethia and Kindyl, son Kenny, and dog Pookie. Tolson is also very involved with Illinois State Women’s Studies Program, which includes attending the Program’s annual poetry slam, production of the Vagina Monologues, and other events. “One of the best things that has ever happened to me is my involvement with the Women’s Studies Program; I am so happy to be a part of it,” said Tolson. “The Women’s Studies Program offers exciting activities for both the academic and local communities. It is a successful example of how to bring the two together.”       

Tolson was honored last year for her commitment to multicultural education and diversity when she was awarded the David Strand Diversity Achievement Award. She is also an Illinois “Road Scholar” and recently developed a learning module on storytelling to be used by Illinois librarians for the on-line continuing education program called Library University. A dynamic and lively person with a dedication to multicultural education and the teaching of the cultural work of storytelling, Tolson’s signature line from her e-mail is a great example of the energy with which she approaches her work and her life: “Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather a skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming “WOO HOO what a ride!”