Growing up in a white world, Troy Ellen is often criticized for not being black enough. By exploring identity through two different characters—first at 13 when she’s forced to play the role of Tituba, the Black slave in the school production of The Crucible, and at 16 when she chooses to play the role of Peaches in Four Women by Nina Simone—Troy Ellen accepts herself for being black enough just as she is. Watch her story and get involved by hosting a Black Stories Matter viewing party.
“Even though I’m dressing the part of a Black revolutionary, I will struggle with the whole ‘Am I black enough?’ question.”
Want More Black Stories Matter Content? Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.
Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches this fall. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HERE
Host: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.
Share: TMI Project’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.
2020 is turning out to be the year of 20/20 vision. The global pandemic is revealing the inequality in the healthcare system as we are losing black and brown Americans at a disproportionate rate. The murder of George Floyd, added to a list, far too long, of other black and brown men and woman murdered at the hands of law enforcement, has made it crystal clear that there is no justice in the justice system. A revolution has been ignited calling for a systemic change, a dismantling of structures and institutions that are not in fact broken, but working exactly as they were designed.
All of us at TMI Project are dedicated to using the power of true storytelling to dismantle the racist systems that are destroying and ending the lives of black and brown people in our local community and nationwide. We will continue to use our programming to provide support, connection, relief, and transformation and use our platform to raise awareness, amplify voices, share resources, and inspire action.
In this charged and pivotal moment in history, we acknowledge our need to deepen our commitment and expand our approach. We want to share some of our plans and the resources we’re finding helpful. We also welcome your suggestions.
1. Internal training
We must start by looking at ourselves. We’re committed to doing the work as individuals and as an organization. I recommend the article How to Manage Your Team in Times of Political Trauma by Micahell Kim, which clearly features some suggestions TMI Project regularly puts into practice, like encouraging staff to bring their whole selves to work; acknowledging what is happening in the world; taking time at the beginning of meetings to check-in on a human level; giving people ample time for self-care; and reducing or redistributing labor and/or emotional burden. I also highly recommend So You Want to Talk About Race by Ijeoma Oluo which we read last year as a staff. At our retreat, after reading the book, we went through an exercise to explore intersectionality and privilege. TMI Project will plan and share further internal activities for 2020.
2. Expanding Black Stories MatterBlack Stories Matter Virtual Drop-in Storytelling Workshop
Join TMI Project for a Black Stories Matter virtual drop-in workshop led by Workshop Leaders Dara Lurie and Micah. These free workshops are offered as a safe space for Black people to gather, write, share stories, and receive support.
Accessible Black Stories Matter Content
Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.
Watch: We will share a story from our Black Stories Matter archives every weekday in June. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to easily access this content.
Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches this fall. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HEREHost: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.
Share: TMI Project’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.
4. Diversity and Inclusion Training We’re in the beginning stages of developing diversity and inclusion training through a storytelling lens. It will include ways to build trust; skills to improve communication; exercises to deepen understanding about the concepts of identity, intersectionality, and privilege; skills to identify and differentiate stories — stock/concealed/resistance/counterstories — and their individual purposes. We will provide additional resources and follow-up action items. If you’re interested in learning more, please email Eva at eva@tmiproject.org
(Photo from our staff retreat, 2019)
If you want to be a part of the solution by supporting our Black Stories Matter programming, pleasemake a donation today!
We continue to believe that together we can change the world, one story at a time. If there’s anything else we can do or if you have any questions about how you can be more involved please feel free to reach out. We are open to your suggestions and are happy to supply you with additional resources.
In peace and solidarity, Eva Tenuto and the TMI Project team
After the Charlottesville tragedy, Beetle suddenly becomes Unapologetically Black, or “UAB.” However, as time passes and they experience more and more hate, Beetle’s UAB slowly turns into UAO: Unapologetic Outrage.
“I have never felt right in or at-home in my skin. And, up until two years ago, the stupid and numb version of me would apologize for that. But then Charlottesville happened, and for the first time in my life, I became Unapologetically Black.”
Want More Black Stories Matter Content? Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.
Watch: We will share a story from our Black Stories Matter archives every weekday in June. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to easily access this content.
Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches on July 16th. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HERE
Host: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.
Share: TMI Project’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.
Dr. Williams-Myers always found it odd that Sojourner Truth’s story was never taught in school history. Especially considering that for his entire life she’s been watching over him, walking with him. Then, now, and tomorrow.
“It was amazing to me that Sojourner’s story was never taught in school history. It’s just one more example of how the history of Africans in America has been taught as if history shaped the Africans instead of how it really is: Africans and their descendants have profoundly shaped American history.”
Want More Black Stories Matter Content? Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.
Watch: We will share a story from our Black Stories Matter archives every weekday in June. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to easily access this content.
Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches on July 16th. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HERE
Host: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.
Share: TMI Project’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.
In an attempt to discover her own sense of individuality and fight cultural norms, Cassandra rejects her mother’s ideals of beauty. After her passing, Cassandra realizes her mother was always just doing the best she could with what she had.
“When I’m in my teens, my mother tells me “pinch your nose for an hour a day” because “it’s too broad,” and “don’t stay long in the sun,” because “you’re dark enough already.”
Want More Black Stories Matter Content? Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.
Watch: We will share a story from our Black Stories Matter archives every weekday in June. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to easily access this content.
Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches on July 16th. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HERE
Host: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.
Share: TMI Project’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.
Seven years ago, Byron discovers that he has two cancerous tumors on his bladder, and is facing a long road to his cancer-free diagnosis. He learns that the effects of the daily racism can literally grind down his health and destroy his quality of life. It’s only when he decides to let go of the anger and fear that he can truly heal.
“I know that as a black man I can’t afford to be closed. If I give into the anger and fear that I find within myself and in the world around me I won’t heal.”
Want More Black Stories Matter Content? Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.
Watch: We will share a story from our Black Stories Matter archives every weekday in June. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to easily access this content.
Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches on July 16th. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HERE
Host: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.
Share: TMI Project’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.
Callie Jayne grew up in a white world. Faced with mental illness and addiction, they had to learn how to overcome the pressures of a predominantly white and racist world. But those struggles, piece by piece, changed her expectations of what their life as a black woman could look like.
“When I get pregnant with Liliana, I am five months sober. I am given two options: get married or get an abortion. So I choose the path of creating the life that was expected of me.”
In the face of racism and daily microaggressions, Zanyell spends years starving herself and self-harming in an attempt to disappear. Eventually, she finds love and yoga and starts to feel more comfortable taking her rightful space in the world.
“It isn’t a conscious thought in the moment, but I know that this is when I decide I don’t want to be seen; not for my blackness.”
Want More Black Stories Matter Content? Stories have the power to increase visibility, raise awareness, change people’s hearts and minds, and inspire people to take meaningful action. We are making every effort to ensure all of our Black Stories Matter content is easily accessible, widely consumed, and is accompanied by tools to deepen the impact.
Watch: We will share a story from our Black Stories Matter archives every weekday in June. Please follow us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to easily access this content.
Listen: The TMI Project Story Hour, Season Two: Black Stories Matter, launches on July 16th. Learn more and subscribe to our podcast HERE
Host: a Black Stories Matter viewing party and discussion from anywhere in the world. Click HERE to learn more and sign up.
Share: TMI Project’s mission with Black Stories Matter is to elevate the underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience. Click HERE to submit your story to be featured on the TMI Project blog.
11-year-old Ezra is playing in the street with his two friends when the cops were called for a “disturbance.” During his questioning, Ezra begins to worry about how he’s perceived. He realizes he has a small panic attack every time he sees a police car.
“I don’t realize I’m doing it but I try to act white and never fall into the black stereotype. I don’t listen to rap music. I listen to Taylor Swift, Katy Perry and pop music. I don’t use much slang. I’m afraid of a stereotype that I don’t even know much about yet.”
