In Season 2 of The TMI Project Podcast: Black Stories Matter co-hosts Dara Lurie and Micah Blumenthal profile some of our favorite storytellers from our Black Stories Matter program.
About Season 2: Black Stories Matter
All of the stories in this season were created in Black-led true storytelling workshops where Black folks wrote about, shared, and reflected upon their experiences without having to justify, explain, or defend the truth of their lived experiences. We pair this body of work with a customized listening and discussion guide to inspire deep introspection, a willingness to transform oneself and take bold action to end systemic racism. Join us as we take a deeper dive and share the stories behind the secrets, and what happened next. Black Stories Matter supports and is aligned with the mission of Black Lives Matter.
Podcast Co-hosts:
Micah
TMI Project Workshop Leader
Pronouns: He/Him/His
“TMI Project allows an exchange to happen. It feeds a deep need to know our own truth, to connect to something real. This is an ancient practice of sharing our stories and it’s perhaps the most revolutionary tool we have at our disposal.”
In addition to leading TMI Project workshops, Micah serves as the manager at GWI’s (Good Works Institute) Greenhouse Kingston, a yoga teacher at Mudita, and creator of DAY 1 (a New Year’s Day community event). He is on the board of Wild Earth (a non-profit Wilderness School), Radio Kingston, The Center for Creative Education, and O+ (a nonprofit health and wellness festival for artists and creators). He also serves as City of Kingston’s Art Commissioner at the Kingston Farmers Market.
Dara Lurie
Black Stories Matter Co-Director & TMI Project Workshop Leader
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
“Writing and then sharing my story in my first TMI Project performance in 2017 allowed me to affirm and claim an important part of my life experience. Performing with and now mentoring other groups of TMI Project workshop writers, I’ve found the family I always wanted: a family based on telling stories with truth, courage and compassion.”
In addition to leading TMI Project workshops, Dara is an author and manuscript coach. She received a B.A. in Film & Theater from Vassar College and M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Hunter College. Dara grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and migrated in the early 1980s to West Berlin, Germany, where she tended bar, wrote and performed in the theater while living in different communities of squatters, Green Party activists, journalists, teachers, and social workers. Her first book, Great Space of Desire; Writing for Personal Evolution, is a memoir and creative guide for writers wishing to tell their own stories.
Episodes:
EPISODE #1 | Don't Step on Jessieca's Nikes
EPISODE #2 | When Dara Met Audre Lorde
EPISODE #3 | Micah Steps into his Furtick Womanhood
EPISODE #4 | FreedomWalker Takes the A Train (out of Harlem)
EPISODE #5 | Shawaine Comes to America
EPISODE #6 | Kesai Feels His Feelings
EPISODE #7 | Erica Steps Away from the Corned Beef
EPISODE #8 | What Callie Learned from 90210
EPISODE #9 | Twinkle and Ezra Need You to Get Your White Men
EPISODE #10 | Shai Checks "The Box"
EPISODE #11 | Odell for President, 2024
EPISODE #1 | Don't Step on Jessieca's Nikes
ABOUT SEASON 2: BLACK STORIES MATTER
The TMI Project Podcast profiles the people who got on stage and shared the stories they were most afraid to tell. The stories behind the secrets. And what happened next.
On October 28th, 2020, don’t miss the release of Season 2: Black Stories Matter featuring underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience.
The TMI Project Podcast profiles the people who got on stage and shared the stories they were most afraid to tell. The stories behind the secrets. And what happened next.
Don’t miss the release of Season 2: Black Stories Matter featuring underrepresented stories of the Black experience in America – the full spectrum – the triumphs, humor, beauty, and resilience.
ABOUT TMI PROJECT & THE PODCAST
Since 2010, TMI Project has led more than 100 true storytelling workshops and staged live storytelling performances by nearly 2,000 storytellers, which have been presented to audiences of nearly 200,000. In the past, you had to wait on line to get seated in an off-broadway theater, a cafeteria in a detention center, or perhaps you were coming to hear activists perform their stories at the United Nations. Now, you can listen from anywhere in the world. Tune in and join us. While you listen, don’t forget to ask yourself, “What is my TMI story?” We all have one.
Podcast Partners & Supporting Producers
Maureen Bowers
Kyra Greweling
David Padulo
Black Stories Matter Partners & Funders
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Fill out our form to access the accompanying Discussion and Action Guide to find out how you can use true stories as the launchpad for brave communication, meaningful discussion, and impactful action.