Narrative 4 Celebrates Storytelling in Mississippi and Tennessee

Award-winning authors Colum McCann and Ishmael Beah lead inspiring "Changing the World with Stories" event series in Chattanooga and Jackson, promoting compassion and connection

NEW YORK, Oct. 24, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Narrative 4, a global nonprofit that harnesses the power of storytelling to encourage action and change among young people, will be hosting two remarkable storytelling events, "Changing the World with Stories," as part of the organization's 10 Year Anniversary Celebration in Chattanooga, Tenn. and Jackson, Miss. Featuring Narrative 4's co-founder and National Book Award-winning author Colum McCann and founding Narrative 4 artist and human-rights activist Ishmael Beah, the two events will bring together local artists, esteemed educational and arts institutions and remarkable students for book readings, creative writing workshops, and Narrative 4-led Story Exchanges. These events mark significant milestones in Narrative 4's journey to promote compassion through storytelling and amplify the work of local artists in the Southern U.S.

Both "Changing the World with Stories" events are open to the public and will feature evening book readings, author conversations and Q&As.

• The Chattanooga event will take place on October 24th, presenting Sybil Baker, author of While You Were Gone, Ishmael Beah, author of Little Family: A Novel, Christian Collier, author of The Gleaming of the Blade, Narrative 4 co-founder Colum McCann and other local artists.
• The Jackson event will take place on October 26th, presenting readings from Millsaps College and Jackson State University student storytellers, Colum McCann, Ishmael Beah and local artists, Ellen Ann Fentress, author of The Steps We Take: A Memoir of Southern Reckoning and Talamieka Brice, an award-winning artist, photographer and visual storyteller.
• Both events will be moderated by Narrative 4 Artist Network Director and poet, Felice Belle.

The events are free, and registration is not required. Guests can find additional information here.

"Storytelling has the remarkable power to heal, connect and inspire change. As we celebrate Narrative 4's 10-Year Anniversary, I'm thrilled to join forces with remarkable artists, educators and young minds in Chattanooga and Jackson," said Colum McCann, Narrative 4's co-founder. "We're living in broken times.  More than ever we need to know one another, especially across the divides. Stories can become the glue to help put things back together. Stories can lead to action, which leads to change."

Chattanooga — October 24, 2023

The day in Chattanooga, Tennessee, will be replete with a reading at Howard High School and a creative writing seminar at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) that will offer a dynamic Q&A and teaching session with UTC creative writing students – a unique opportunity to engage with the budding talents of the future.

In the evening, Narrative 4 will host the, "Changing the World with Stories," event at the UC Auditorium at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga from 7:00 - 9:00 p.m. ET (doors open at 6:30). Distinguished artists Sybil Baker, Ishmael Beah, Christian Collier and Colum McCann will captivate the audience with their readings. The event will also feature a moderated author conversation and a book signing session, allowing attendees to interact with these literary luminaries in a meaningful way.

Jackson — October 26, 2023

This day promises an enriching repertoire of exploration and storytelling, with author tours of prominent and historic Mississippi locations, including the Eudora Welty Home and Museum and the Medgar & Myrlie Evers Home and National Monument. This immersive experience will give students from Jackson State University and Millsaps College a deeper understanding of the rich literary heritage of the region.

The afternoon will feature a Story Exchange with students from Jackson State University and Millsaps College where their diverse voices will come together through exchanges focusing on community, perspectives and compassion across differences. This collaboration embodies the power of storytelling to bridge gaps and build understanding.

The day will culminate with an evening event open to the public "Changing the World with Stories" at Millsaps College Christian Center McMullan Lecture Hall from 5:30-7:00 p.m. CT. The celebration will feature a moderated conversation by Felice Belle featuring Colum McCann, Ishmael Beah, Ellen Ann and Talameika Brice. This promises to be a celebration of storytelling, creativity and empathy, bringing together the local community and beyond.

For media inquiries contact Adriana Torres-Plaza at (347) 603-0154 or [email protected]

About Narrative 4
Narrative 4 (N4) is a global education non-profit that uses storytelling and the arts to foster connection and build community.  It offers educators creative tools to teach compassion and develop strong student leaders. Its classroom-and community-based programs are designed to spark joy and fuel the imagination, while fostering meaningful connections. Through its Story Exchange, Artists Network, Learning Resources, and Civic Engagement projects, N4 is creating a global network of changemakers. Narrative 4 has facilitated over 150,000 story exchanges worldwide. For more information, visit: www.narrative4.com.

Contact: Adriana Torres-Plaza
Phone: (347) 603-0154
Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE Narrative 4