// Category: News From the Field

Amy Zhang on the AAPI Narrative Studio
From creating a show about Asian women in America in a small New York City theater to producing TV episodes for Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj, I’ve always worked at the intersection of storytelling and impact. But, I yearned to be in community with other creators to think through persistent questions: How does narrative change…

Facing Race: A National Conference 2022
Two weeks ago, Narrative Initiative took our goodies to the Facing Race conference in Phoenix. The conference is sponsored by my former organization, Race Forward, so this was my first chance to see old friends in person since 2020. As always, this conference crowd is multi-everything kind, loving, joyful and determined. There’s no better place…

Navigating 2022: Ideas, reports, and resources for narrative changemakers
If you’re navigating narrative change in 2022 we’ve gathered a set of recent reports and resources (and even a few big ideas) from the narrative field that could help you find your way.

The voices missing from the abortion debate
The imminent repeal of Roe v. Wade has brought public narratives of motherhood and reproductive justice into stark relief. We spoke to We Testify abortion storyteller Jeana Nam. A Texan of Korean descent, Jeana has strong Christian beliefs about her experience with abortion, reproductive care and why she values a future in which abortion and reproductive care are openly available to all.

How platforms and visuals shape narrative: A conversation with Cayden Mak
Cayden Mak of 18 Million Rising talks with us about visual narrative and how tech and platforms shape how audiences interact and use narrative.

Explanation and the “How” of a Narrative
We recently spoke with Julie Sweetland, Senior Advisor at FrameWorks Institute, about Unleashing the Power of How: An Explanation Declaration. Released in March as part of FrameWorks Institute’s 20th anniversary, the Explanation Declaration asks communicators to help people understand the “how” behind issues and see that how as a critical part of engaging and empowering…

A Big Narrative Change Reading List
A dozen recent essays, insights and reports focused on the intersection of narrative, movement power and culture change.
Fleshing Out History
Throughout American history, efforts to bring the stories and lived experiences of people of color into the broader American narrative have been met with fierce resistance. When SNCC and a broad group of educators organized to make Black studies a feature of the curriculum, states sought to ban — and defund — the teaching and…