Storytelling for Social Change Conference

Date: May 18th, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM - 3:30 PM
Location: Spotlight Room, 96 Hanover St, Manchester, NH

Event Overview:

The Storytelling for Social Change Conference is a celebration of the power of collaborative storytelling to drive social change. This conference will highlight how art, community, and resilience intersect through a journey of creative expression. It's an opportunity to see firsthand how storytelling can change hearts, minds, and communities.

We’ll dive into the creative process behind our Community Art Piece, the We Are Your Neighbors board game, a game developed through collaboration with local artists, writers, and community members, all sharing their stories. This event isn’t just about the finished product; it's about the journey we’ve taken together as a community.

The conference will feature a dynamic panel on Exceptional Storytelling in the Community, followed by the unveiling of the We Are Your Neighbors board game, where attendees will have the chance to play through characters’ stories, share reflections, and engage with the creative minds behind this project.

Schedule:

1:00 PM - 1:15 PM: Welcome and Introduction

An introduction to the conference and the importance of collaborative storytelling for social change.

1:15 PM - 2:00 PM: Panel Discussion: Exceptional Storytelling in the Community

A conversation with artists, writers, and creatives about how storytelling has impacted their communities and the various forms it takes.

2:00 PM - 2:45 PM: Board Game Unveiling and Playthrough

The We Are Your Neighbors board game will be unveiled. Attendees will have the chance to engage in a playthrough, exploring character storylines and discussing their thoughts.

2:45 PM - 3:15 PM: Open Conversation on the Creative Process

A discussion on the making of the board game, the people involved, and how collaborative storytelling fosters community building.

3:15 PM - 3:30 PM: Q&A Session

A final opportunity for attendees to ask questions and reflect on the conference.

Why Attend:

Experience community-driven storytelling and how it fosters resilience.
Learn how art and creative collaboration can create lasting change.
Connect with local artists, writers, and activists who are using their craft to make an impact.
Explore an innovative board game that uses interactive storytelling to address real-life challenges.

Panelists for Exceptional Storytelling in the Community:

Shanta Lee: Award-winning writer, visual artist, and public intellectual. Shanta Lee is dedicated to exploring how food intersects with identity, culture, and community through her Foodstories project. She will discuss how storytelling through food connects us to our personal and collective histories.
Jezmina Von Thiele: Author and tarot reader who uses her work to explore Romani culture, identity, and spirituality. Jezmina brings her expertise in storytelling through personal narrative and her experience working with marginalized communities.
Isabella Rotman: Cartoonist and illustrator, creator of This Might Hurt Tarot, and advocate for sexual health, relationships, and growing up. Isabella’s work blends creative storytelling with educational tools like her comic A Quick and Easy Guide to Consent.

Get Involved:

Register Now: Don't miss out on this unique event! Register Here
NPC Character Submissions: Have a story to tell? Contribute a character for the board game! Submit a Character
Join the Conversation: Share your thoughts on social media using #StorytellingForChange

Sponsors and Partners:

Thank you to our partners for their ongoing support in this important project.

This project is made possible by the support of the New Hampshire State Council on the Arts and New Hampshire Humanities, with invaluable guidance from Dr. Loretta Brady, a leading expert in community resilience and social equity. Together, we’re using the power of storytelling to create real change. This project is also supported by a number of community artists and faculty: Hazel Heywood, Ari Peterson, Sara DeLavergne, Joe Acone, Louise Acone, Hannah Rowell-Jore, April Landry, Ashley Wakefield, Marg Pangburn, Waypoint Youth Resource Center and Arts In Reach.

Accessibility:

This event is free and open to the public. We strive to make our events accessible to everyone. If you need accommodations or have any accessibility concerns, please contact us at Randall@Queerlective.com

Don’t miss out on this one-of-a-kind event that brings together the community through art and storytelling. Join us on May 18th and be part of something bigger!