Founded in 2013, the work of The Story We Be (SWB) is rooted in the belief that, as Paulo Freire writes, “It is in speaking their world that people, by naming the world, transform it.”
All programs offered through SWB are rooted in the belief that storytelling holds a unique and transformative role igniting the collective imaginary. The work of SWB is premised on the idea that we need each others
stories, and that in telling our stories together, we can generate a more holistic understanding of the world in which we live, and a more honest recognition of the complexity of our humanity. At SWB we hold that the role of the story-writer and storyteller has never been more important, as with increasing urgency we require new narratives to assist us in repairing parts of ourselves and our world that are broken; to help us determine right action in response to the sociopolitical, cultural, economic, and ecological crises we face. As such, SWB centres story-writing and storytelling as cultural forms, artistic practices, and political tools, that require and deserve training, mentorship, and collaboration. SWB programs offer opportunities to individuals from diverse, intersectional backgrounds and experience levels to hone their craft while participating in an intergenerational community of writers. All of our programs are taught by emerging and established artists who have extensive training and experience in facilitating creative growth.
