Continuing the Story of Us
A participant in last year's Story of Us open mic event (Image by Matthew Conde)
When the spotlights were turned on in the CEIS Atrium one November night last year, true emotion poured out of members of the Wentworth Institute of Technology community. Code switching, broken relationships, patent-pending research, and the joys of lace clothing were all discussed as part of the first Story of Us event.
Now, Catlin Wells and members of the Division of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are bringing it back with a kickoff retreat scheduled for next week.
“When we tell a story, we put words to the experiences that shape us and offer another person a chance to really understand us,” said Wells, executive director of equity and compliance/Title IX coordinator. “When we listen to another person’s story, we offer them that same kind of visibility.”
Wells is among those who conceived of Story of Us as a way to amplify the multitude of backgrounds and voices found around campus. Students, faculty, and staff are all invited to participate and celebrate their unique selves.
“Mirror, Mirror: Storytelling Retreat” will kick off this year’s series on Thursday, Sept. 22 from noon to 4:00 p.m. in the CEIS Atrium. Professional storytellers will lead participants in reflecting upon moments that changed their lives. Those moments could ultimately turn into full stories, poetry, photography, or music.
Wells wants all who attend to feel that they can share in a safe space.
“The retreat is a space that centers authenticity and empowers creativity,” she said. "We begin by embracing the value of intergroup dialogue and establishing shared expectations for perspective taking and respectful engagement.”
Participants last year may recall workshops held ahead of the November public event, but Wells relates that this year’s experience has been completely reimagined, including shifting the format of multi-evening, training-based workshops into the collaborative half-day storytelling retreat next week. She also hopes to maximize participation by holding it during the day when more members can attend.
“We want to remind folks that relationship building is, and should be, an integral part of the school or work day,” Wells said.
DEI Outreach and Project Coordinator Justin Michael Emmanuel will lead a breakout session on photography, while Instructional Designer Josh Luckens will lead a session on oration and musician Dawaun Hardy will lead a songwriting workshop.
Future events include “Reflections: An Interactive Art Gallery” in the Casella Gallery on Oct. 3 and the “If I Had a Hammer: Open Mic Night” in CEIS on Nov. 16.