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Stories Build Bridges
When the story ends and the tellers voice is silenced, the bridge between teller and listener remains…
~ Elaine Blanchard
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Ubuntu Storytellers’ I.D.E.A.L. workshops, staff retreats, and concerts are designed to meet you where you are & walk with you to where you want to be:
Deepen empathy to increase understanding of impact of racism in your workplace or community.
Increase awareness of your unconscious paradigms, policies and behaviors that may create exclusionary environments.
Know what you as an individual and/or company can do to help "...bend the moral arc towards justice."
Tutu Quote
“They created a safe space to engage in self-reflection and authentic dialogue. We heard stories that resonated with each of us; regardless of racial, ethnic or socio-economic identity.”
– W. Sebastian
“You might have much of the world’s riches, and you might hold a portion of authority, but if you have no ubuntu, you do not amount to much…”
– Archbishop Desmond Tutu
We Tell Stories v2
We Tell Stories
Stories of “being” and of being in the black and brown skin we’re in.
Stories that engage and open our collective hearts.
Stories that deepen our empathy and inspire us to be different, to make a difference.
And Provide Workshops
Special Testimonial
“Your stories changed me – in ways I didn’t know I could or needed to be. Thank you.”
– Charles Martin, Ph.D.
Programs & Workshops
Workshops & Programs
- Deepening the Empathy: Facilitated dialogue, exercises and/or simulations to process the impact of shared stories and examine the role of our identity development on our practices.
- Hearing Our Voices: Story development workshops: Staff and/or board uncover, hear and share their own stories of cultural paradigm formation and learn of others; client, coworker, neighbor. Facilitated dialogue and exercises provide a safe space to witness the impact of these learned norms on the group cohesion and effectiveness.
- So What? Now What? Now we know it, what are we going to do about it? For staff and board leadership to develop more responsive policies and practices which serve your agency’s mission more sensitively and responsibly.
I.D.E.A.L. Workshops
Contact us to tell us your needs – we listen
- Ubuntu Storyteller Retreats are for those who want movement, action, change, results. Move from opened heart to head to hand in a relaxing, and energized environment. This time away from the daily routine and geography allows for participants to go deeper, faster. Deep dive results-driven format fosters movement from awareness to brainstorming concrete action.
- Retreats are designed following client consultation and needs assessment. Desired outcomes are defined and curriculum is designed to foster those results.
- Ubuntu Storytellers offers full service retreat accommodations. We can arrange all facility and logistical needs or workshop details only.
- Stories are curated to meet the learning objects of each client
- Stories are performed by multiple tellers
- Story performance is 75- 90 minutes
- Content is a mix of stories of “being” and stories of “being in the skin we’re in”
Purpose, are, process
What Is Ubuntu Storytellers?
Our purpose: is to open our collective hearts through empathic listening, to engage in respectful honest dialogue to be moved to change. Individual change, policy change, communal change and societal change. We believe story is the pathway to heart awakenings.
Who we are: Ubuntu Storytellers, an ensemble of experienced black, brown and biracial performers tell stories of “being” as well as of “being in the skin we’re in.” You will hear personal stories that reflect our joys and triumphs and disappointments. Poignant stories, funny stories. Stories of being human. You will also hear stories about encounters with racism, prejudice, micro aggression. Often one story encompasses both realities.
Our Process: Story concerts are followed by workshop opportunities to process what our hearts have heard, invite us to progress to increased understanding and continue to examine and challenge our individual behaviors, organizational policies and practices.
In this climate of heightened awareness of institutionalized racism, social inequity and white privilege, provoking both tensions and interest; storytelling is uniquely positioned to bring people together in an environment of co-respectful telling and listening.
Purpose, are, process
What Is Ubuntu Storytellers?
Our purpose: is to open our collective hearts through empathic listening, to engage in respectful honest dialogue to be moved to change. Individual change, policy change, communal change and societal change. We believe story is the pathway to heart awakenings.
Who we are: Ubuntu Storytellers, an ensemble of experienced black, brown and biracial performers tell stories of “being” as well as of “being in the skin we’re in.” You will hear personal stories that reflect our joys and triumphs and disappointments. Poignant stories, funny stories. Stories of being human. You will also hear stories about encounters with racism, prejudice, micro aggression. Often one story encompasses both realities.
Our Process: Story concerts are followed by workshop opportunities to process what our hearts have heard, invite us to progress to increased understanding and continue to examine and challenge our individual behaviors, organizational policies and practices.
In this climate of heightened awareness of institutionalized racism, social inequity and white privilege, provoking both tensions and interest; storytelling is uniquely positioned to bring people together in an environment of co-respectful telling and listening.
About Ubuntu v2
About Ubuntu
“You might have much of the world riches, and you might hold a portion of authority, but if you have no ubuntu, you do not amount to much…”
~Archbishop Desmond Tutu
This African proverb reveals a world view that we owe our selfhood to others, that we are first and foremost social beings, that, if you will, no man/woman is an island, or as the African would have it, “One finger cannot pick up a grain.” Ubuntu is, at the same time, a deeply personal philosophy that calls on us to mirror our humanity for each other. To the observer, ubuntu can be seen and felt in the spirit of willing participation, unquestioning cooperation, warmth, openness, and personal dignity demonstrated by the indigenous black population…William E. Flippin, Jr., Contributor Advocate for justice, ecumenist, grassroots organizer SAYS IN Applying African Philosophy in Building Community PUB.2012
Testimonials
W. Sebastian
They created a safe space to engage in self – reflection and authentic dialogue. We heard stories that resonated with each of us; regardless of racial, ethnic or socio – economic identity.
Foxwoods International
I could listen to (her) all day. She draws you in and takes you places you’ve never been. I mean not just geography but soul. A rewarding and provocative story listening experience.
Pat Lore
Love your tonality and I can feel your heart. Amazing voice quality.
Aditya Guthey
You are able to emotionally engage me with the delivery and storytelling. Truly, amazing job!
Beautiful storytelling - emotional, real, loving. Your personality and humor really shine
Brandon Eastman
What a beautiful and DESCRIPTIVE story, Denise. I was THERE. When you brought the conflict, I FELT the pain. When you described the beautiful scenes, I was there, too.
Jen Acuna
You caught and held my attention the whole time. I wanted to cry with you when you received that postcard but celebrated with you when you described your achievements so well.
Anne Garland
Denise powerful story - I felt your pain and I was with you all the way - you gave me goosebumps. WOW! You are a story teller with class- loved every word.
Charles Martin, Ph.D.
Your stories changed me – in ways I didn’t know I could or needed to be. Thank you.
Dr. Dorothy Martin Neville
You are the gift you are bringing
Ledyard High School
Thanks so much for such a successful workshop. It was an enjoyable and awakening experience …even the most threatened teachers warmed up to your genuine and easy style.
Association of Bridal Consultants
Your presentation met their needs and surpassed their expectations!
Connecticut Historical Commission
The Commission completed its diversity training this morning. I wanted to let you know the staff has been extremely complimentary of the program, especially the trainers. The program was both informative and fun. We wouldn’t hesitate to hire you again.
Mitchell College
I appreciated the supportive environment (the trainers) created and their energy kept my attention (not easy to do) while I confronted some uncomfortable, yet provocative truths. Thank you for opening this door to my cultural lenses and to previously unacknowledged racist thoughts and practices.
Pine Point School
Let me thank you for your lively and sincere presentation at our faculty staff retreat. I learned so much in those few hours . . . a number of important doors opened inside me as I listened and pondered. One of the best “in service” workshops I have ever attended.
Jolyn Washington Walker
The combination of empathetic listening followed by guided self-discovery worked very well for me. While coming into my awareness, I witnessed others doing the same thing with each story being unique, which offered great examples.
Bina
The combination of empathic listening followed by guided self - discovery was extremely effective, especially since Denise and Gloria were such gentle facilitators without avoiding the toughest topics.
Margaret
I am motivated to find ways to talk with white people about our white race, how systemic racism works and what we might do differently in support of equality.
Ann Shapiro ED
/ CT Storytelling CenterThe performance and workshops we sponsored, given by the Ubuntu Storytellers was a grand success! The performance was up on our YouTube channel for a couple of weeks and received 400 views. The follow up workshops were attended by 25 people. All of the evaluations were positive and 100% of those who filled out the evaluation said that they would like to attend an Ubuntu Storytellers event in the future.
Nina
That was AMAZING. Thank you for sharing your moving, well crafted and beautiful told stories that made me feel and see and think
Carol Mon
Hearing stories of unintentional exclusion that struck me. . . It made me stop to think how often that sort of thing may have happened and I was unaware. The co-leaders were so present, so skilled at helping the participants develop trust and empathy. They created the setting and provided role models for participants to explore their own vulnerability . .
Jessica
I suggest sharing info about the Ubuntu Storytellers and workshops with libraries, congregations, anti-racist training groups/organizations, and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives in companies and organizations as well as educational institutions. These stories could be helpful in middle and high schools as well as colleges and universities. They are very powerful, and the facilitators did an excellent job of organizing the workshops and coordinating and eliciting discussion with a nice mix of small and larger group interactions. Kudos to all for a very worthwhile and lasting experience. … the stories expressed emotions connected with the personal experience of racist attitudes and behavior in a way that I found very accessible.
Eileen
As a result of this experience . . I think I'm more able and willing to talk about issues of race and culture