A Sneak Peek of Black Stories Matter: Truth to Power

Black Stories Matter: Truth to Power is a little more than a week away. If you haven’t reserved your seats for what’s sure to be one of the most talked about social justice events in the Hudson Valley…do it today! We’re excited to give you a sneak peek of the stories you’re going to hear and experience next Friday, June 21 at 7:30pm at Pointe of Praise in Kingston. So read on because you won’t want to miss this live performance of brand new stories that attest to the startling varieties and travails of the Black experience in America, and the shared threads of love, loss, fear, and kindness that connect us all.

THE STORYTELLERS
In order of appearance

ZANYELL GARMON (she/her)
In the face of racism and the daily microaggressions churned out in a white world, Zanyall spends years starving herself and self-harming in an attempt to disappear until she finds yoga and starts to feel more comfortable taking her rightful space in the world.

CASSANDRA TAYLOR (she/her)
In a quest to find her true self, Casandra Taylor beautifully illustrates the struggle of a daughter fighting the pressure to conform to her mother’s expectations.

BYRON UTLEY (he/him)
After ignoring blood in his urine and receiving dismissive treatment from the medical community, Byron overcomes bladder cancer and hopes he can inspire other men to admit when they’re scared, and learn how to ask for help before it’s too late.

CALLIE JAYNE (she/her)
Callie shares about the layered struggle of recovering from drug addiction and mental illness while living in a world with a deeply rooted belief that getting help is for “rich white folks.”

TWINKLE BURKE (she/her)
Twinkle might play a teacher or nurse on TV, as the roles for women of color are often typecast for characters who are nurturers, but she’s here to tell you that being black is not just one thing, it’s everything.

EZRA HUBBARD (he/him)
Ezra navigates what it’s like to be of mixed race. He’s half black and half white. But, he realizes that when the police show up, he’s not white at all.

BEETLE BAILEY (they/them)
Until two years ago, Beetle would have described themself as “stupid, happy, and numb.” Then Charlottesville happened. They share the story about how that event transformed them into being unapologetically black.

DR. AJ WILLIAMS MYERS (he/him)
Dr. A.J. Williams-Myers, a prominent Professor Emeritus of Black Studies at the State University of New York at New Paltz, believes the spirit of Sojourner Truth has been walking with him since he was a little boy. He shares the story of how her spirit has protected him from snakes, lions, and even a revolutionary soldier.

RESERVE YOUR SEATS TODAY!

In 3rd grade, I’m told it will be at least 150 Years until a Negro is elected president.

While our storytellers rehearse their BRAND NEW stories, in preparation for Black Stories Matter: Truth to Power, taking place on June 21st at 7:30pm, we’re diving into TMI Project’s archive. This story by Odell Winfield was presented as part of TMI Project’s first-ever intergenerational Black Stories Matter performance, as part of Black History Month Kingston at Pointe of Praise on February 16, 2019.

In 1954, Odell (he/him) told his third-grade teacher that he wanted to be the President of the United States; she told him it would be at least 150 years until a Negro is elected president. Today, Odell is the Executive Director of the Library at the A.J. Williams-Myers African Roots Center in Kingston, NY. In his story, he reflects on his life and finds himself standing strong, feeling like the leader he always dreamed of being.

On Friday, June 21st, join TMI Project at Pointe of Praise Family Life Center in Kingston for Black Stories Matter: Truth to Power a live storytelling performance featuring a cast of new storytellers who participated in a recent Black Stories Matter weekend intensive writing workshop. Black Stories Matter: Truth to Power will feature brand new stories that attest to the startling varieties and travails of the Black experience in America, and the shared threads of love, loss, fear, and kindness that connect us all. The free performance will be live streamed on Facebook, and will be followed by a facilitated community discussion about race, identity, and inclusion. 

“When I tell people I’m half-black, they don’t believe me”

– Zoey (she/her)

You wouldn’t know it looking at her, but Zoey’s half-black. In fact, her family is a full tapestry of colors. Growing up, she was bullied for hanging out with all kinds of people: all races, all genders, all weirdos.

Our phenomenal cast of storytellers have been working hard this week rehearsing BRAND NEW stories in preparation Black Stories Matter: Truth to Power taking place on June 21st at 7:30pm. we’ve been plunging into the TMI Project archive to rewatch some of our favorite and lesser-known Black Stories Matter stories from the past four years. After we hosted a true storytelling workshop at Kingston High School, we presented our first-ever high school production of Black Stories Matter, where Zoey shared her story about how her family’s diversity.

About Black Stories Matter

Black Stories Matter is TMI Project’s way of making an impact in addressing incidents of hate, bigotry and racial injustice in our local community while also participating as an organization in the national outcry of injustice. 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.

“Even though I never view myself as being white, I never view myself as being black either.”

While our storytellers rehearse their brand new stories, in preparation for Black Stories Matter: Truth to Power, taking place on June 21st at 7:30pm, we’re diving into TMI Project’s archive. Kesai Riddick’s story about family and his unique upbringing debuted in TMI Project’s original Black Stories Matter production in 2017. Kesai was raised by his white mom in the East Village. He missed having his dad around to model what it meant to be a black man. Luckily his uncle became like a surrogate father and introduced him to Buddhism and the concept of “Nam-myoho-renge-kyo” which eventually helped reunite Kesai with his dad in adulthood.

Meet Kesai:

TMI Project presents
Black Stories Matter: Truth to Power

About Black Stories Matter

Black Stories Matter is TMI Project’s way of making an impact in addressing incidents of hate, bigotry and racial injustice in our local community while also participating as an organization in the national outcry of injustice. 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.

STORIES AND PHOTOS FROM HUDSON VALLEY PRIDE 2019

On Sunday, June 2nd, TMI Project joined the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center at the 2019 Hudson Valley Pride Festival and March. It was a beautiful day, and we met so many inspiring LGBTQ+ community members and allies who came out to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the NYC Stonewall Riots. TMI Project was fortunate to have Woodstock Day School student and photographer Tonya Dechar capture portraits of visitors to our booth during the festival. Each person Tonya photographed participated in a true storytelling activity for LGBTQ+ community members and/or allies. Below are some of our favorites. We hope you enjoy reading these short stories as much as we enjoyed collecting them. Happy Pride Month, everyone!

“I came out on instagram as genderfluid/pansexual on 3/31/19 (my mother’s birthday). My mother is an ally but doesn’t believe my gender identity nor sexuality because I have a straight boyfriend. Today, I came out to my boyfriend as genderfluid. I love the community and everyone a part of lgbtqa+.” – Alison

“My best friend came out to me towards the end of our senior year of high school. She was sobbing, and asked me not to hate her. The way her family reacted was so disheartening. They still believe it’s a “phase.” My response to her was that I could never hate you, and you love who you love. I still try to remind her, myself and others everyday to just be yourself; you’re beautiful just the way you are.” – Tayler

“Chelsea Manning inspires me to fight for justice. She made enormous sacrifices to tell the truth about the Iraq War and the US Military and has faced years of imprisonment and solitary confinement (torture). As a trans woman, this experience has been horribly traumatic for her, but she stays strong and refuses to compromise her morals and testify against Wikileaks, so she has been imprisoned again. Her struggle is all of ours.” – Eli

“Growing up, I have been a part of and have been close with many folks in the LGBTQ+ community. I grew up with a very accepting mother, but living in a small town in Missouri was hard for a lot of my friends who were picked on by not only classmates, but family. I have and always will be someone who will listen and be there for you, no matter how you identify, I am your ally.” – Autumn

“My mom took 10 years to come around to my coming out. I was patient and fought to make sure she understood what was important to me. When she finally came around, she went all out: she wound up moving to a different church and switching denominations completely so that her faith still stayed intact, but her love for her son could shine through.” – Blake

“In the trans spaces that I am a part of, it is really beautiful and heartwarming to see how much support and community is formed between people. Like with my best friend from childhood, after reconnecting with me, against my fears, she supported me whole-heartedly. Likewise, I was lucky enough to help her come out and find herself, and I am as proud as can be.” – Ravenna

“As a lesbian, sometimes men will try to convince me that they could turn me straight, and that I’m ‘not really lesbian.’ It scares me, how predatory they sound when discussing my sex life without my consent.” – Jess

“I overcame doubting myself. I always took what people said I should be and what I should do and went with it, but doing so just left me so much more confused in the end. I had to realize that I need to follow what I feel and want in my heart and soul and stop doubting and questioning myself based on others’ opinions. The only thing that matters is how I feel and what I want and if it makes me happy. And everyone should get the opportunity to do that.” – Marlana

“My coming out experience was that of an emotional one, I started out with a written letter explaining my sexuality and my gender; I’m attracted to females but I identified as male, so for the generation my mum grew up in, in a not-so-open household, she never heard of what a transgender person is, but years down the line I’ve been more accepted and respected for my identity.” – Angel

“While leaving pride last year, I had a motorcycle accident, which resulted in a helicopter landing at the pride event. I spent 1 week in the hospital due to a shattered patella that required 2 surgeries. With the help of my teammates, mid hudson misfits roller derby, a lot of PT and a 3rd surgery, 1 year later I am back at pride, playing roller derby and riding motorcycles again. I could not have done it without such a wonderful community.” – Mimic

“It’s the second pride I’ve every been to in 2019. I’m walking around the festival and saying ‘hello’ to my friends during and after the march. It’s hot, loud, and crowded, and I walk up to a merch stand with flags, pins and clothing. I spot some pansexual pins in the corner, and feel a rush of excitement and nervousness. I’ve only out to a couple of people, and I’m no stranger to bigoted comments, but this is pride. After a moment of thought, I decide to buy one labeled ‘pantastic.’ As I continue walking around, I see a boy from my school. He is 3 years my junior, with curly hair, freckles, and covered in trans and gay pride colors. As we see each other, and he walks over, I say hello. He replies in suit, and notices my pin. Even though we’ve started to become friends, and I know that he’s nice, I can’t help but worry that I’m going to be mocked. Even still, I take a risk and hold out the pin for him to see better. He laughs at the stupid pun, looks me in the eye, and tells me that he loves it. We spend the rest of the day hanging out. We’ve been closer friends ever since.” – Tillie