Your Story!

Do You Have a Story to Tell?

We want to hear it!

We want to hear from you! GVP is seeking to share the unique experiences of elders of Color living in today's society. Your stories of triumphs and struggles can inspire and educate others.

Who Can Participate? If you are over 60 years of age, you are invited to participate. Share your story through a written format or video, or any other method of communication you prefer. We welcome anonymous entries too; just use a pseudonym. Only one criterion: You may not submit a previously published story.

Describe your journey and the experiences that have shaped you. Share significant moments or times from your life that had a profound impact on you.

· Pros & Cons of Elderhood: Reflect on the positives and challenges of being an elder.

· Your Successes & Failures: Share the highs and lows you've encountered.

· Resilience in Adversity: How have you maintained strength and resilience in tough times?

· Treatment by Others: How have you been treated as an elder, and how has it impacted you?

· Cultural Heritage: Discuss how your cultural background has influenced your life and elder hood, good or not so good.

· Advice to Younger Generations: What wisdom would you like to pass on? What would you tell your younger self?

· Community Involvement: How have you engaged with your community, and what impact has it had?

· Life Lessons: What significant lessons have you learned throughout your life?

· Housing, Health, Nutrition, and Well-being: How have you managed your living environment, health, food and well-being over the years? Has it changed?

· Family Dynamics: Share stories about your family and how relationships have evolved.

· Professional Journey: Reflect on your career and the transitions you've made. Have you passed the glass ceiling?

· Hobbies and Interests: Talk about the activities and interests that have brought you joy or that you’ve missed.

Please use any or all of the above suggestions above to help formulate your story.

These stories can be utilized in several impactful ways for the benefit of all. We’ve offered a few ways Your Story can make strong impact for change:

1. Education: Integrating personal stories of BIPOC elders into educational curricula can provide students with a more comprehensive understanding of history and diverse perspectives, promoting cultural competence and empathy.

2. Community Building: Sharing these stories in community events, museums, and cultural institutions can strengthen community bonds, celebrate diversity, and create a sense of shared identity and pride.

3. Advocacy and Policy Making: Personal narratives can humanize issues, influencing public opinion and informing policymakers to create more equitable and inclusive policies.

4. Media and Arts: Incorporating these stories into books, films, documentaries, and art projects can amplify their reach, inspiring broader societal change and appreciation for diverse experiences.

5. Healing and Empowerment: Storytelling can serve as a form of healing for the storytellers and listeners, fostering resilience and empowerment by validating and acknowledging personal and collective experiences.

GVP will create a physical photo book, and a short film (documentary type) with all of your stories. By utilizing these stories in various public domains, we can promote education, understanding, inclusivity, and social justice on all fronts. You as an elder have the Power to Make Positive Change!

How to participate?

If you decide to be a part of this meaningful project, please respond to this message. by Friday, December 13, 2024  with your interest, and we will send you the guidelines for submission (the earlier the better. Please don’t wait until the last minute!).

The submission of your story will be due in early-mid 2025. We are seeking funding for this project. While we do not yet have the funding we are hopeful to be able to pay each of our Story Tellers a small stipend.

Respond to:

Dr. Sandy Support@GrandmothersVillageProject.org

Thank you! We look forward to hearing your powerful story!