“Many stories matter. Stories have been used to dispossess and to malign. But stories can also be used to empower, and to humanize. Stories can break the dignity of a people. But stories can also repair that broken dignity.” – Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

It’s been more than a year since I quit my last job, determined to write my own story. Describing “what I do for a living” now is always a bit of a challenge. There’s the digital marketing side, web design, writing, monetizing my blog, photography, but none of that adequately encapsulates what fuels me every day.

This storytelling exhibition, a passion project and collaboration with my friends Allison and Jeffery from OutLoud and some of the bravest young artists and storytellers I’ve had the privilege of meeting, is my Ikigai. Raison d’etre. Reason for being. Why I do what I do.

Stories are the most powerful tool we have to open hearts and change the world. I’m sharing information about this project along with some behind the scenes photos (shot on 35mm film with a Contax T2) in the hope that you’ll visit the gallery (or the online version of it, launching soon) and be as moved by these young people’s stories as I have been.

OutLoud and VISIBLE Magazine are pleased to present “It Was All A Dream,” a multidisciplinary storytelling exhibition created by Dallas area youth. The interactive exhibition will run in the Janette Kennedy Gallery from February 8 – February 29, 2020 with an opening reception on February 7th from 7-10pm.

“It Was All A Dream” features short film sequences, portrait photography and audio recordings designed to build empathy and shift audience perspectives on issues related to love and relationships that young people face in their daily lives.

“The storytelling process showed us how to tell – not only our peers, but those authority figures who might not understand us – that we are youth, we are change, and we always have a voice.” – Aeris, Age 17

Dallas/Fort Worth friends, I hope you’ll join OutLoud and VISIBLE Magazine at the Janette Kennedy Gallery on February 7th for our opening reception from 7-10pm. If you can’t make it opening night, the public gallery hours will be 9am-9pm, daily, from February 8 – February 28.

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