On January 28, 2021 Come to the Table hosted the first session of our 2021 School for Food Justice, Faith, and Storytelling (SFJFS). Participants were chosen from applications that were accepted in late 2020. Thirty-two faith leaders from across North Carolina attended this session, which was led by a group of facilitators from the Center for Story-based Strategy, a national movement-building organization dedicated to harnessing the power of narrative for social change.
The goals for the session were to connect with other participants, introduce key concepts of story-based strategy, practice applying narrative change tools to our work to advance food justice, and deepen our understanding of the power of narrative and its impact on our work.
Participants learned about the elements of story, the importance of framing, and how narratives operate in media. Participants were asked to reflect on the underlying assumptions that need to be challenged in their work and were invited to imagine new stories that could be told in their communities about food access. One participant commented that they believe the sessions “will help me to take a deeper dive in challenging narratives and developing/discovering creative solutions to end hunger.” Another noted that they were reminded about the power of storytelling, “especially what is kept in the story and what is left out.”
The 2021 School for Food Justice, Faith, and Storytelling cohort will continue to meet virtually once a month through July of 2021. Future SFJFS sessions will focus on systemic issues within the food system, a theology of hunger, policy advocacy around hunger relief, and creative solutions that churches can undertake in regard to hunger.
Applications are closed for the 2021 SFJFS. Stay tuned for information about future cohorts.
If you are interested in learning more about the SFJFS, contact Michelle Osborne at [email protected].