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Community Impact I have lived in Orange County for 10 years. It is both a vibrant community and <br />one that suffers from the same stratification and separation that plagues the <br />rest of this country. In Orange County, there exists a persistent inequity in <br />arts access (among other arenas). This project exists within that reality, <br />seeking to create a space that centers the voices that are too often silenced <br />or marginalized–those of people of color, of BIPOC folks, of people with <br />varying abilities, of humans from various cultures, experiences, and <br />backgrounds. This project will not corner anyone into an identity-related story, <br />but rather allow each unique voice to pursue a story of their choosing and <br />take the stage to share it. It also seeks to call in the more privileged folks in <br />Orange County to witness and absorb stories from individuals they don’t <br />otherwise come into such intimate contact with, in a format and art form that <br />has universal appeal. <br />The long-range impact of storytelling is palpable. People literally find their <br />voice on the storytelling stage, building a confidence that spills over into the <br />rest of their lives. Those who courageously prepare and share stories <br />become aware of the hard work and vulnerability good storytelling requires, <br />increasing their compassion and appreciation for other storytellers and artists. <br />The final performance at the Carrboro ArtsCenter (with a 50 person <br />attendance goal) will bring together people from a variety of backgrounds who <br />will hear stories from voices they might be unfamiliar with. Audiences are <br />changed by the immediacy of learning about a stranger, which emotionally <br />connects them to a person and an experience they might have otherwise <br />blocked out. Listening to someone else’s story is unspeakably powerful–it can <br />create an instant connection where there was none. Storytelling can short <br />circuit our biases and assumptions and replace fear and unfamiliarity with <br />empathy and understanding. A truly diverse gathering will strengthen our <br />community, one story at a time. <br />Storytelling is also an essential part of advocacy work, a way to invite others <br />to understand and care about issues that are too often abstract or <br />overwhelming. Story Connection will continue to publicize the work of our <br />nonprofit community partners that support underrepresented and marginalized <br />folks, with a long-term goal of contributing to their fundraising and audience <br />engagement through tailored storytelling training and workshops. <br />Storytelling is an equalizer, one of our most powerful avenues to <br />understanding, compassion, and empathy. It matters whose stories we hear. <br />Story Connection aims to bring the connection of storytelling to Orange <br />County to cultivate joy and hope, share grief and loss, and broaden and <br />strengthen our community by amplifying and affirming authentic voices. <br />DocuSign Envelope ID: 24CC88AA-C1EB-41FC-80CE-48099EAA0DB4