Nooma Monika Rhue earned her Bachelor of Arts Degree in Communication from Johnson C. Smith University and Master of Library and Information Studies degree from UNC-Greensboro. Nooma is serving as the Director of Library Services at Johnson C. Smith University (JCSU). She resides in Charlotte, NC with her husband Eric.

Previously Nooma worked as a Youth Assistant for the Public Library of Charlotte Mecklenburg County developing youth programs, and telling folklores. Nooma was the recipient of the 1994-95 “Emerging Artist Grant” from the Arts & Science Council of North Carolina which launched her career as a poet and griot. The grant funded her one-woman production called the “The Poetry Corner.”

Nooma has performed folklores locally and nationally from West and South Africa. Although Nooma is a Director and professional archivist she still manages to share folklores in the community. From 2000-2011, Nooma has told folklores at the Afro-American Cultural Center (now Harvey B. Gantt Center), Charlotte-Mecklenburg School System, Public Library of Charlotte Mecklenburg County, Festival In the Park, Kwanzaa Celebration, and for special organization such as the Bellsouth Black Heritage Group. She also worked part-time for the Community School of the Arts Storytelling for the Fun of It program, producing “Harambee: Pulling Together,” for the Neighborhood Arts Program/Afterschool Enrichment program.

In 2000, Nooma went to Ghana to learn and collect traditional African songs and stories. Upon her return, she shared this experience in a program call Africa Is Not A Country, sharing original stories and photographs with children.  Africa Is Not A Country became a popular program for school-age children. Nooma visited South Africa (Johannesburg and Cape Town) in 2009. She uses photographs to share her South Africa experience.

Nooma is also an author of Organizing and Preserving Family and Religious Records: A Step-by-Step Guide, and owns the only Black archives business in North Carolina. Nooma is available for storytelling, book talks, and heirloom preservation workshops.