Narrative Initiative

In the quest for health equity, how we tell stories matters. When stories consistently use the same moral and ethical framing, narratives begin to emerge that have an impact on everything from public health policy to individual health outcomes. Together, we can create a more inclusive and just healthcare system by transforming the stories we tell and the way we approach patient care. Moderator(s) Aletha Maybank, MD, MPH Speaker(s) Rinku Sen, MS Michelle Browder Mehret Mandefro, MD, PhD Garth Graham MD, MPH Bayard Love, MBA, MP ??Location — This is a live panel that will be live streamed from Facing Race ??? Registration — Free and open to the public ?? https://buff.ly/3UOSMkK The event is developed by American Medical Association, ACGME, National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education, and Disability Belongs with support from ABIM Foundation, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), American Society of Addiction Medicine - ASAM, AMA Ed Hub, Boston Medical Center (BMC), Council of Medical Specialty Societies, HealthBegins, Kaiser Permanente, Sinai Chicago, Social Mission Alliance, The Hastings Center, The Joint Commission, Rush University Medical Center, Medical Society of Delaware, American Epilepsy Society, American Society of Nephrology, Minnesota Medical Association, and MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society Follow Race Forward for more information about Facing Race: A National Conference

Narrative research is a vital tool for any organization, foundation, coalition, or network working with frontline communities. It helps uncover what is being said, how it's said, and why these narratives matter to individuals and communities. Zakyree Wallace, M.A. and Francesca Koe walk through the techniques that form the backbone of an informed narrative strategy. Read: https://buff.ly/4fWgiEm ? ? If you're at Facing Race this week in St. Louis, you can join a live panel conversation on DIY Narrative Research Methodologies this Thursday during the 11 AM - 12:30 PM block.

Narrative organizing is more than altering words; it's about shifting power dynamics and constructing systems that empower communities. This session proposes exploring DIY narrative research methods to advance racial justice through narrative organizing. We'll delve into the fundamental question: Whose narrative matters? In this session, we’ll teach you how narrative research recognizes narrative power and generates research outcomes to build the common good. Recognizing that research is labor, we'll explore the importance of providing stipends and adopting trauma-aware approaches in both group and individual interviews. ?? Facing Race Conference in St. Louis, Missouri ?? November 21st ?? 11:00am to 12:30pm CST Check out Race Forward for more information about the conference. #OurPowerOurSolutions

If you’re coming to Facing Race, don’t miss this plenary, also available online, hosted by the American Medical Association on how we narrate public health and racial justice.

Join Rinku Sen, executive director at Narrative Initiative, and Minal Hajratwala, founder of Unicorn Authors Club, for an interactive panel discussion on the importance of books as tools for organizing. The panelists will discuss how they see their work as writers and engaging with organizers/writers to help understand the need for narrative shifts. The discussion will explore how and what books have provided lessons on organizing by blending historical analysis with personal stories to center diaspora stories. Sen and Hajratwala will also share how their respective experiences led to a partnership on publishing interventions programming. This session will include writing prompts to engage attendees on how they can frame their writing/work into a resource for narrative and social change. ?? Facing Race Conference in St. Louis, Missouri ?? November 21st ?? 11:00am to 12:30pm CST Check out Race Forward for more conference info!

?? A storytelling event where the Moth meets the movement.?? Join us next week in St. Louis for a live oral storytelling event featuring Crystal Monds of Amplify Georgia, Terrell A. Blount, MPA of Formerly Incarcerated College Graduates Network, and Brian Phillips of Missouri Workers Center. Drinks and appetizers will be provided! Narrative Initiative and Word Force present Crossroads: It Starts with a Story Live November 21st 6-9PM (program starts at 7PM) Bluewood Brewing 1821 Cherokee St Saint Louis, MO 63118

Coming to you live from Facing Race: A National Convening, the next National Health Equity Grand Rounds on November 21 at 2:00 PM CT will be hosted in-person and streamed to a virtual audience at the largest multiracial, intergenerational racial justice conference in the United States. Bringing together thought leaders from diverse backgrounds, "Rewrite the Script: Narrative Transformation for Equity in Health," the National Health Equity Grand Rounds event will explore how changing dominant, harmful narratives can advance health equity. Narrative, or the collective stories that shape our values as society, plays a powerful role in how we think about health care. By understanding narrative power, we can confront health inequities and create a more equitable health care ecosystem. Register here: https://buff.ly/3UOSMkK The event is developed by American Medical Association, ACGME, National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education, and Disability Belongs with support from ABIM Foundation, Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), American Society of Addiction Medicine - ASAM, @AMA Ed Hub, Boston Medical Center (BMC), Council of Medical Specialty Societies, HealthBegins, Kaiser Permanente, Sinai Chicago, Social Mission Alliance, The Hastings Center, The Joint Commission, Rush University Medical Center, Medical Society of Delaware, American Epilepsy Society, American Society of Nephrology, Minnesota Medical Association, and MedChi, The Maryland State Medical Society #healthequity #healthcare #meded #dei

Join Narrative Initiative and Word Force in St. Louis on Thursday, November 21st for a live storytelling event at Bluewood Brewing. Keep an eye out on our page for more event details to come! In the meantime, anyone (whether they will be in St. Louis or not) can get oral storytelling pointers from Nikesha Williams.

Big news! Word Force is hosting a live storytelling event at Facing Race, a national conference hosted by Race Forward taking place in St. Louis, Missouri this year. Join us Thursday, November 21st from 6-9 PM for "It Starts with a Story Live: Crossroads" at Bluewood Brewing — Watch our LinkedIn and Instagram for more event information! Hosted together with Narrative Initiative. Live storytelling is a powerful medium for making authentic connections. If you are interested in exploring the format for yourself, Nikesha Williams, co-editor at Word Force and a TEDx trainer, shares her tips on style elements for public storytelling. This is part one of three that will be shared in the coming weeks.

Dear Friends, I know today is hard. I feel it, too. The weight of this outcome is heavy, and I know the anger, fear, and disappointment are real. Let’s give ourselves the space to grieve—mourning is not weakness; it’s honoring all we’ve poured into this fight for an America where everyone belongs. I want you to know your work mattered. Every bridge you built, every moment you chose inclusion over division—that’s what keeps democracy alive. This is still a time for action, and we have power, even now. Here are three things you can do in this moment: Remember: those who came before us faced setbacks, too, sometimes against impossible odds. Yet, they kept going, and we are here because they refused to quit. This legacy of resilience is ours, and no election can take that away. Let’s honor it by choosing action over despair, courage over silence. Here are three ways to step forward with power and purpose: ? Hold Each Other Close: Find strength in your community. Whether it’s a friend, family, or neighbor, connect and remind each other that we don’t face this alone. Isolation is how authoritarianism grows—togetherness is an act of defiance. ? Stand in Truth: Lies thrive in chaos, but your voice can be an anchor. Whether in conversation, on social media, or in your work, be a steady voice for honesty and respect. This is our shield against division, and it’s powerful. ? Build Where You Are: Let’s start where we live. Support leaders and organizations in your city or state who share our values of justice and inclusion. Small actions here—volunteering, attending meetings, advocating for local policies—can ripple outward to inspire broader change. Take heart, friends. Together, we’ve built something bigger than this loss. Now, let’s keep walking forward. Drop by and let me know how you are doing at: https://lnkd.in/dcci8Af6 and join us on November 13th. Always, yours in struggle Eric K. Ward Registration: Here's the eventbrite link: https://lnkd.in/dfBXBJWx