Who We Are | The Stories of Us

Let's make our shared ideals a reality. For everyone.

Let's make our shared ideals a reality.
For all.

These are the stories of us - our past, present and future.

Inequality and division are not our preordained fate. We can choose a different future. In 2026, we have an opportunity to view our founding documents and the ideals within them as a call to action:

We are all invited to act to make those ideals a reality and join in the effort of perfecting our union - for all. It’s up to us.

Let's make our shared ideals a reality. For everyone.

Let's make our shared ideals a reality.
For all.

These are the stories of us - our past, present and future.

Inequality and division are not our preordained fate. We can choose a different future. In 2026, we have an opportunity to view our founding documents and the ideals within them as a call to action:

We are all invited to act to make those ideals a reality and join in the effort of perfecting our union - for all. It’s up to us.

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.

For everyone. For you. By all of us. Join us.

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.

Ashley Shaw Scott Adjaye

Co-Founder & Co-CEO

dennis marcus

Co-Founder & Co-CEO

wei soo

COO

OUR ADVISORY BOARD

Art has the power to engage, challenge, provoke and inspire. It is an invitation to curiosity and conversation that can help us breakthrough to a deeper understanding. Our unique sculpture exhibitions showcase all that power in the original work by these incredible artists and storytellers.

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 partners

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.

Carrie mae weems

Artist

chris ofili

Artist

justin hansford

Founder & Executive Director

Thurgood Marshall Civil Rights Center

michael mcafee

President, PolicyLink

Paul farber

Director, Monument Lab

our partners

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.

FOUNDING PARTNER

DETROIT HOST PARTNER

DETROIT founding supporter

Our Vision & Plans

The Stories of Us creates unique storytelling spaces to bring people together in curiosity, connection and joy so that we can take action to make those ideals of equity and solidarity at the core of the Declaration of Independence a reality.

We are building towards our full-scale program for the Fourth of July 2026 – the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. The 2024 exhibitions are the first step in the journey to our full vision, inviting everyone to join us to make it richer and more meaningful than we can even imagine.

The Stories of Us is working to support and grow the community doing the work of making equity for all a reality, as we invite people to take their next step - whether it’s their first learning or the next action in a lifetime commitment.

Exhibitions as catalysts

The core of our program will be the exhibitions of large-scale sculptures that invite people to travel through all 10 themes of The Stories of us. Hosting activities and events, the exhibitions are catalyst for visitors to discover and to take action.

Festivals for Equity

From 2026, Festivals for Equity will run alongside each exhibition to honor, celebrate and showcase the incredible work already underway in each host city for our shared mission of equity.

Learning for our Future

Young people are the founders of the future. Launching in 2025, The Stories of Us learning program use creativity to foster understanding, dialogue, agency and creative expression.

Storytelling for Equity

The exhibitions are a gateway to discovery. From 2025, The Stories of Us digital ecosystem will invite visitors to discover curated stories of our shared, past and future.