We are deeply grateful for our partners that have made our work possible:
thank you
to our partners
A space for everyone.
The Stories of Us exists to inspire a culture of storytelling that fosters belonging, connection and sparks our shared civic imagination, as we:
-
invite the public to contribute their story to our understanding and the future of the United States
-
invite a broad range of experiences that are essential to the national narrative
-
create public platforms for reflection, connection, and imagination, in person and online
-
build community through storytelling as civic action
A space for everyone.
The Stories of Us exists to inspire a culture of storytelling that fosters belonging, connection and sparks our shared civic imagination, as we:
-
invite the public to contribute their story to our understanding and the future of the United States
-
invite a broad range of experiences that are essential to the national narrative
-
create public platforms for reflection, connection, and imagination, in person and online
-
build community through storytelling as civic action
THEMES //
THE STORIES OF US
A simple truth - We are our stories. The stories we are told. The stories we tell. They shape who we are and what we do individually and together. Stories define the reality we create for ourselves and each other.
The 10 themes of The Stories of Us help all of us to deepen our understanding of our shared past and present, so that we can create a future of equality for all, together.
THEMES //
THE STORIES OF US
A simple truth - We are our stories. The stories we are told. The stories we tell. They shape who we are and what we do individually and together. Stories define the reality we create for ourselves and each other.
The 10 themes of The Stories of Us help all of us to deepen our understanding of our shared past and present, so that we can create a future of equality for all, together.
ORIGINS
Origins explores the principal peoples and cultures that history brought together in the founding and evolution of what we now know as the United States.
We Hold These Truths
We Hold These Truths asks us to consider the contrasts between the high ideals and the reality of oppression and enslavement of the founding and early formation of the United States.
UNION & EMANCIPATION
Union & Emancipation examines a key chapter in the story of the United States. It was messy and violent – full of complicated motivations, realities and repercussions –
but it shifted the trajectory of a young country towards greater freedom.
RIPPLES ACROSS GENERATIONS
Ripples Across Generations makes clear the direct consequences that enslavement and oppression has had on every generation of Americans, including the society we live in today.
THE AMERICAN DREAM
The dream of America - its possibility - has inspired generations of people. The idea is not only held domestically but has motivated people from around the world to leave their homes and come to this land for opportunity. This collective spirit, striving and contribution has given meaning to the The American Dream, even when it has not been fully realized.
STILL WE RISE
Still We Rise celebrates and tells the story of people who have transformed the universe of the possible through their impact across our society, from the everyday spaces of our lives to the global stage.
THE CULTURE
The Culture honors the countless strands of creativity, expressions and traditions of all communities that combine to create the unmistakable unique tapestry that is the
character and culture of our everyday lives in the United States.
A MORE PERFECT UNION
The United States is a nation built on eternal ideals. A More Perfect Union highlights the many intersectional movements that stand alongside each other in the pursuit to realize these ideals of America for ALL.
me reimagined
Change starts with and within each of us. Me Reimagined is an invitation to reimagine who we want to be and the impact we can have. No matter our starting point, what becomes possible if we step into the spirit of transformative solidarity?
US REIMAGINED
Having taken this path together, Us Reimagined invites us to envision the community, society and world we can create if we embrace transformative solidarity and prioritize full dignity and justice for all.
ORIGINS
Origins explores the principal peoples and cultures that history brought together in the founding and evolution of what we now know as the United States.
WE HOLD THESE TRUTHS
We Hold These Truths asks us to consider the contrasts between the high ideals and the reality of oppression and enslavement of the founding and early formation of the United States.
UNION & EMANCIPATION
Union & Emancipation examines a key chapter in the story of the United States. It was messy and violent – full of complicated motivations, realities and repercussions –
but it shifted the trajectory of a young country towards greater freedom.
ripples across generations
Ripples Across Generations makes clear the direct consequences that enslavement and oppression has had on every generation of Americans, including the society we live in today.
THE AMERICAN DREAM
The dream of America - its possibility - has inspired generations of people. The idea is not only held domestically but has motivated people from around the world to leave their homes and come to this land for opportunity. This collective spirit, striving and contribution has given meaning to the The American Dream, even when it has not been fully realized.
still we rise
Still We Rise celebrates and tells the story of people who have transformed the universe of the possible through their impact across our society, from the everyday spaces of our lives to the global stage.
the culture
The Culture honors the countless strands of creativity, expressions and traditions of all communities that combine to create the unmistakable unique tapestry that is the
character and culture of our everyday lives in the United States.
a more perfect union
The United States is a nation built on eternal ideals. A More Perfect Union highlights the many intersectional movements that stand alongside each other in the pursuit to realize these ideals of America for ALL.
me reimagined
Change starts with and within each of us. Me Reimagined is an invitation to reimagine who we want to be and the impact we can have. No matter our starting point, what becomes possible if we step into the spirit of transformative solidarity?
US reimagined
Having taken this path together, Us Reimagined
invites us to envision the community, society and world we can create if we embrace transformative solidarity and prioritise full dignity and justice for all.
THE VISION //
transformative solidarity
A future of equality created by and for everyone is only possible we all step into Transformative Solidarity – a solidarity in which we recognise and embrace each other’s realities, potential and humanity as essential to our own.
With permission, we borrow the phrase from Angela Glover Blackwell - and our definition also speaks to the core ideal of America: E pluribus unum - out of many, one.
All of our programs invite people to practice the mindsets and skills of Transformative Solidarity:
THE VISION //
transformative solidarity
A future of equality created by and for everyone is only possible we all step into Transformative Solidarity – a solidarity in which we recognise and embrace each other’s realities, potential and humanity as essential to our own.
With permission, we borrow the phrase from Angela Glover Blackwell - and our definition also speaks to the core ideal of America: E pluribus unum - out of many, one.
All of our programs invite people to practice the mindsets and skills of Transformative Solidarity:
PURPOSE
in our relationship with ourselves.
WORTHINESS
I am worthy of love dignity and respect.
AWARENESS
I know how I see the world and where it comes from.
BELIEF
I believe I have something valuable to offer.
PURPOSE
I know what inspires me and what I want to do.
WORTHINESS
I am worthy of love dignity and respect.
AWARENESS
I know how I see the world and where it comes from.
BELIEF
I believe I have something valuable to offer.
PURPOSE
I know what inspires me and what I want to do.
PURPOSE
in our relationship with ourselves.
A simple truth - We are our stories. The stories we are told. The stories we tell. They shape who we are and what we do individually and together. Stories define the reality we create for ourselves and each other.
The 10 themes of The Stories of Us center the Black experience to help all of us to deepen our understanding of our shared past and present, so that we can create a future of equity for all, together.
our team
A simple truth - We are our stories. The stories we are told. The stories we tell. They shape who we are and what we do individually and together. Stories define the reality we create for ourselves and each other.
The 10 themes of The Stories of Us center the Black experience to help all of us to deepen our understanding of our shared past and present, so that we can create a future of equity for all, together.
our team
.jpg)
Ashley Shaw Scott Adjaye
Co-Founder & CEO
wei soo
Co-Founder & COO
MAYA PETERSON
Storytelling Consultant
Ashley Shaw Scott Adjaye
Co-Founder & Co-CEO
wei soo
COO
MAYA PETERSON
Storytelling Consultant
A simple truth - We are our stories. The stories we are told. The stories we tell. They shape who we are and what we do individually and together. Stories define the reality we create for ourselves and each other.
The 10 themes of The Stories of Us center the Black experience to help all of us to deepen our understanding of our shared past and present, so that we can create a future of equity for all, together.
our ADVISORY BOARD
A simple truth - We are our stories. The stories we are told. The stories we tell. They shape who we are and what we do individually and together. Stories define the reality we create for ourselves and each other.
The 10 themes of The Stories of Us center the Black experience to help all of us to deepen our understanding of our shared past and present, so that we can create a future of equity for all, together.
our ADVISORY BOARD
Carrie mae weems
Artist
chris ofili
Artist
justin hansford
Founder & Executive Director
Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center
michael mcafee
President, PolicyLink
Carrie mae weems
Artist
CHAD NICO HIU
Senior
VP, Strategy, Equity & Impact
YMCA San Francisco
chris ofili
Artist
justin hansford
Executive Director
Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center
michael mcafee
President, PolicyLink
A simple truth - We are our stories. The stories we are told. The stories we tell. They shape who we are and what we do individually and together. Stories define the reality we create for ourselves and each other.
The 10 themes of The Stories of Us center the Black experience to help all of us to deepen our understanding of our shared past and present, so that we can create a future of equity for all, together.
SCULPTURE DESIGNER
A simple truth - We are our stories. The stories we are told. The stories we tell. They shape who we are and what we do individually and together. Stories define the reality we create for ourselves and each other.
The 10 themes of The Stories of Us center the Black experience to help all of us to deepen our understanding of our shared past and present, so that we can create a future of equity for all, together.
SCULPTURE DESIGNER
MEET JOMO TARIKU
Ethiopian American artist and industrial designer Jomo Tariku is defining a new language of modern African design by synthesizing his experience of the continent’s diverse landscape, indigenous cultures, architecture, colors, artifacts, dresses, and hairstyles. Jomo’s designs offer a new line of inquiry and experience of modernity while venerating the rich historical palette of Africa.
Jomo’s work is currently in the collection of major museums such as the Met and LACMA, and has been published in many shelter magazines. His data research on the lack of Black designers in the furniture licensing industry has been covered by many publications and is still quoted in various articles. Jomo is one of the co-founders of BADG (Black Artists + Designers Guild) which promotes the work of Black designers globally while addressing lack of representation in the design world.
THE TALKING DRUM
We loved Jomo’s concept of drums as the creative foundation of our sculptures. Across cultures and geography; across time and occasion, drums have brought and bring people together for storytelling, commemoration, celebration and expression.
They have provided the heartbeat of communities for generations; the soundtrack to events that defined our everyday and trajectory of history; and created space for communication that required no translation.
MEET JOMO TARIKU
Ethiopian American artist and industrial designer Jomo Tariku is defining a new language of modern African design by synthesizing his experience of the continent’s diverse landscape, indigenous cultures, architecture, colors, artifacts, dresses, and hairstyles. Jomo’s designs offer a new line of inquiry and experience of modernity while venerating the rich historical palette of Africa.
Jomo’s work is currently in the collection of major museums such as the Met and LACMA, and has been published in many shelter magazines. His data research on the lack of Black designers in the furniture licensing industry has been covered by many publications and is still quoted in various articles. Jomo is one of the co-founders of BADG (Black Artists + Designers Guild) which promotes the work of Black designers globally while addressing lack of representation in the design world.
THE TALKING DRUM
We loved Jomo’s concept of drums as the creative foundation of our sculptures. Across cultures and geography; across time and occasion, drums have brought and bring people together for storytelling, commemoration, celebration and expression.
They have provided the heartbeat of communities for generations; the soundtrack to events that defined our everyday and trajectory of history; and created space for communication that required no translation.
THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS
We are deeply grateful for our partners who make our work possible.
