Business
If you want to engage people in creating a better future, then you have to make sure they know that they are seen and heard, that their voices matter. And in many places across the world, for many peoples, that hasn't always happened. But in the City and County of Denver, Rowena Alegria is changing that. As the Chief Storyteller, she's on a mission to bring the stories of the people to each other and the government, to change the narrative of exclusion and division to one of belonging and unity. Through storytelling labs, training, projects and events, she and her small team are helping residents outside the "mainstream" share their stories to correct historic wrongs and support policy-making for a more inclusive future. This episode is packed with incredible examples of the kind of impact her work has had, along with practical advice on how other cities can start to tap into the power of stories to create change, for good. "I feel like by using story, we are using one of the most powerful tools to bring our community together. Can I give you data and say that this story changed this person's mind or changed this person's life? Maybe once in a blue moon. But day in and day out – no, I can't. But, if you hang out with me for a while and you see the impact that we have– if you watch the relationship develop from the beginning of an interview to the end of an interview, to the launch of that story or the screening of that story and see the faces on the people who are watching our film and how they react to it ... I can't quantify that for you. But I can tell you that the power is immeasurable. And I think we're only scratching the surface for what is possible when you take story and make it part of the City's toolbox, part of its archive.Find out more about IAMDENVER, read the book Rowena references or connect with her team.