For too long, outside voices have told the stories about Black and Brown neighborhoods. Now grassroots groups are taking control by creating their own films, podcasts, and social media content to drive real change. The Convergence Partnership's new report shows how communities build narrative power through three ways: mass culture (art, film, music), mass media (news coverage), and mass movements (organizing campaigns).
Real examples include BeGreat Together in Kansas City creating award-winning documentaries, Hutch in Harmony using community storytelling in Kansas, Elevated Chicago using TikTok for transit justice, and Leadership Counsel using social media and newspapers in California's Central Valley. Key strategies that work include training residents to create their own media, using arts and culture events, running social media campaigns, engaging local newspapers, and creating spaces for people of all ages to share stories. This approach helps communities shape how people think about their neighborhoods and what solutions are possible.
The report proves that those closest to problems are best positioned to tell the stories and create change.