I am part of the Health Improvement Collaborative of Southeastern Connecticut. The Black Health Collective (BHC) is one of several action teams that move work forward in this collaborative. The BHC is interested in supporting its members to tell their stories. After consulting with a leader of the group, I made a guide that can be used to help people think about the benefits of making a story and be mindful of benefits and risks that come with sharing a story (at the end of this page). These risks are particularly acute for individuals who are being targeted by systems that maintain and perpetuate racist practices.

The need for this document came to me after I participated in a digital storytelling class at StoryCenter. A person in my small group was terrified of loosing custody of their grandchildren because of the behavior of case workers in their region. As a group, we worked to help them think of how to tell their story authentically and in the safest way possible.

This group member shared that they felt seen and understood and that we were the first folks that they had trusted with their story.

So many of us are carrying so much. I hope that this document can help people as they work to create safe, brave, and thoughtful spaces were others can share their truth.

I hope that this document is helpful. If you have questions, comments, or suggestions please contact me at isabelle@isabellebarbour.com.