Who gets to tell the story of your community? For too long, outside voices have shaped narratives about Black and Brown neighborhoods. But a new wave of grassroots organizations is taking back the pen—and the camera, the podcast mic, and the social media account—to tell their own stories and drive real change.

Why This Matters for Organizers

• Stories Drive Change: Narrative power is as important as economic or political power

• Tools Are Accessible: You do not need Hollywood budgets—TikTok, podcasts, and community theater work

• Community Expertise: Those closest to the problems are best positioned to tell the stories

• Proven Strategies: Case studies show what works across different communities

• Funder Interest: Philanthropy is increasingly supporting narrative change work

In times of uncertainty and challenge, human connection becomes our greatest strength. StoryCorps brings together heartwarming stories that remind us of our shared humanity, resilience, and capacity for love and kindness.

StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind. Since 2003, StoryCorps has collected and preserved more than 75,000 interviews from people of all backgrounds and beliefs. These conversations celebrate the power of listening and remind us what matters most in life.

"This book gives you clear, simple ways to understand how we became so divided. The authors share their own stories about changing their minds and learning from others. Then they give you exercises to try yourself. Use this book with family, friends, neighbors, or anyone you want to understand better."

— Susan Clark, coauthor of Slow Democracy

This Mind & Life article introduces a study led by social psychologist Rémi Thériault (NYU). The idea is simple: reading clear, thoughtful nonfiction for about 10 minutes a day may help people understand others and work well together. Participants read for 10 weeks. The team looks at changes in care for others, how we speak with people who see things differently, and whether readers feel more connected. Books are picked for easy reading and helpful themes, using both expert review and AI tools. Earlier work from the team suggests that reading plus reflection can be a welcoming first step. The public is invited to suggest book titles for future rounds.

The Climate Mental Health Network supports emotional well-being in the face of climate change by empowering communities with resources, conversations, and intergenerational healing tools.

At a time of division and violence, ICAN Peacework provides pathways for youth to develop leadership through nonviolence, emotional wellness, and community-centered justice. Their work builds resilience and healing through storytelling, conflict resolution, and restorative circles—equipping future generations with the tools to shape more compassionate, inclusive communities.

Generational divisions are deepening just when collaboration is needed most. CoGenerate addresses this by building intergenerational bridges that spark innovation, expand belonging, and nurture mutual understanding—offering a replicable model of age-integrated social progress.

Personal and shared stories shape how we move—and how we belong. Bailey’s work rests at the intersection of identity, healing justice, and curiosity. By inviting readers to engage with ancestral scripts, this book cultivates empathy, continuity, and civic imagination.

Good Good Good offers more than a break from the bad news—it’s a compass for building civic resilience. Their radical transparency, editorial integrity, and community-first values create a roadmap for how media can heal rather than harm.

Leadership Houston is one of the city’s premier civic leadership programs, dedicated to educating and connecting leaders who are passionate about making a difference. Since 1982, it has brought together professionals from every sector to explore Houston’s most pressing issues, engage with decision-makers, and build lasting relationships across industries and ideologies. The goal? To create a more informed, inspired, and civically active Houston.

Ben McBride’s Troubling the Water is both a personal testimony and a public call to action—a deeply spiritual, emotionally honest, and politically relevant work that challenges the reader to live differently.