Participation Type
Experiential Presentation
Session Title
Storytelling to Bridge Divides and Build Community
Session Abstract or Summary
Stories are natural builders of connection and community. Storytelling is one of Appalachia's many traditions, and a by-product of sharing stories is the community that stems from them. What happens when historically Appalachian communities grow in diversity and how can Appalachian folks who've experienced a certain level of homogeneity throughout their lives use their own tradition of storytelling as a way to bridge divides and create a shared social/cultural identity rooted in a place?
Cincy Stories has worked in the Price Hill region of Cincinnati, OH, which has historically been an Appalachian region, over the last 6 months. We've witnessed the pain that comes from changing demographics and the loss of identity that happens. We've also experienced the beautiful things that occur when storytelling helps us lose our sense of the "other" and gain our sense of "us" as a whole.
Presentation #1 Title
Storytelling to Bridge Divides and Build Community
Presentation #1 Abstract or Summary
Stories are natural builders of connection and community. Storytelling is one of Appalachia's many traditions, and a by-product of sharing stories is the community that stems from them. What happens when historically Appalachian communities grow in diversity and how can Appalachian folks who've experienced a certain level of homogeneity throughout their lives use their own tradition of storytelling as a way to bridge divides and create a shared social/cultural identity rooted in a place?
Cincy Stories has worked in the Price Hill region of Cincinnati, OH, which has historically been an Appalachian region, over the last 6 months. We've witnessed the pain that comes from changing demographics and the loss of identity that happens. We've also experienced the beautiful things that occur when storytelling helps us lose our sense of the "other" and gain our sense of "us" as a whole.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #1
Shawn Braley is Co-Founder and Executive Director of Cincy Stories. He's a lifelong Cincinnatian and lives in Over the Rhine with his wife.
At-A-Glance Bio- Presenter #2
Chris Ashwell is Co-Founder and Creative Director of Cincy Stories. He's a documentary filmmaker who calls Walnut Hills home. Recommend a documentary to him and you'll be his friend forever.
Conference Subthemes
Diversity and Inclusion
Storytelling to Bridge Divides and Build Community
Stories are natural builders of connection and community. Storytelling is one of Appalachia's many traditions, and a by-product of sharing stories is the community that stems from them. What happens when historically Appalachian communities grow in diversity and how can Appalachian folks who've experienced a certain level of homogeneity throughout their lives use their own tradition of storytelling as a way to bridge divides and create a shared social/cultural identity rooted in a place?
Cincy Stories has worked in the Price Hill region of Cincinnati, OH, which has historically been an Appalachian region, over the last 6 months. We've witnessed the pain that comes from changing demographics and the loss of identity that happens. We've also experienced the beautiful things that occur when storytelling helps us lose our sense of the "other" and gain our sense of "us" as a whole.
