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Stories for Change is the International Storytelling Center’s youth-empowerment initiative. Powered by dynamic educational workshops, our programs pair community partners with working storytellers to support, mentor, and motivate young people. ISC’s arts-based curriculum targets underserved kids to teach leadership skills, break down cultural barriers, and build vibrant, inclusive communities.
In 2022–23, Stories for Change was generously funded by the Youth Endowment of East Tennessee Foundation, a public charity and community foundation that supports philanthropic objectives across the region.
During that time, ISC worked closely with Langston Centre of Johnson City, Tennessee, to add storytelling-based components to two of Langstons’ existing programs: a summer camp and its after-school enrichment sessions. By targeting at-risk youth with workshops that develop self-confidence, refine public speaking skills, and cultivate cultural awareness, ISC nurtures the next generation of community leaders.
Our Partner – The Langston Centre
Langston Centre is a multicultural community center with a rich history. The center is located on the grounds of the historic Langston High School, Johnson City’s school for African American students from 1893 to 1965. In the wake of desegregation, the site was reimagined as an inclusive community hub that cultivates innovation, creativity, and academic excellence—“repurposed for a greater good,” according to center supervisor Adam Dickson. Langston Centre reopened with a new purpose in 2019 after a successful grassroots revitalization effort. With its celebration of diversity and focus on student life, Langston was a natural partner for ISC and Stories for Change.
The relationship between the Langston Centre and the International Storytelling Center is practical as well as pivotal. As educational organizations, it makes sense to use our platforms to inform, enlighten, and further the art form. Our partnership helps to affirm individual identity and build community.
Adam Dickson
Supervisor, Langston Centre
East Tennessee Foundation
Multitasking within reason is a great programmatic strategy. It’s possible that you can leverage existing resources to meet new needs. For example, our after-school institute used storytellers from ISC’s Teller-in-Residence program, which brings a new resident storyteller to Jonesborough each week. Six tellers were able to fold the program into their weekly duties without straining their schedules. When you think smart (and make sure that no one is overworked), you can accomplish a lot with less.
If you’re working with children in the public school system, it’s important to consult its academic calendar, which should be available long in advance. ISC and Langston inadvertently scheduled its first after-school session on the kids’ very first day back to school after summer break—not ideal! Make a note of holidays, half days, and longer breaks that might affect the schedule. And don’t forget to make sure that key staff and stakeholders won’t be on vacation on key dates.
Our after-school program was originally designed as a curriculum that would build skills that cumulated over time. Once the sessions started, it instantly became clear that attendance would not be consistent for most kids. Our storytellers were able to quickly pivot to a self-contained format where students could dip in and out of the program as needed. If you center the needs of the population you serve, adjustments should be easy to make on the fly.
