Narrative + Stories ‘25 Cohort:
As we welcome our newest cohort of fellows, we inquire them to answer the following questions about the narratives + stories they’ve learned about their communities.
What does it mean for you to feel sacred? What do you need to feel sacred?
Kristian; To me, feeling sacred is to feel that my mind, body and soul is being protected. That feeling of protection stemming from a family and community that understands what it means to value youth. What's needed is a shared love of inquiry and curiosity, creativity and culture. To be cared for is to be treated as sacred, having your needs met such as housing, food, water, clean air, and protection is prioritizing our youth.
Moana: As of my understanding of what it means to feel scared is feeling peaceful and at ease, feeling like you are being heard or supported to be able to feel sacred within a space. For me to wholly feel scared I have to feel very connected and grounded within my physical, mental, intellectually and spiritually. As for my need to feel scared, I just need consistent support from my supervisor and checking in here and there:)
Ivan: feeling sacred means being utterly valued, protected, and loved without condition. For me, that means unconditional acceptance, a sense of belonging, gentle kindness, and uplifting words. A place/environment in which such if felt/ delivered.
Kamarie: What it means for me to feel sacred is to be at peace, because there's always a cautious side. What I need to feel sacred is peace, sometimes to be alone and feel at peace, or even just listen to music. Watching a movie helps at times.
Maria: For me, to feel sacred means to be heard, & to be seen. To feel sacred I need peace & assurance.
Keyshaun: To feel sacred means experiencing a deep sense of reverence, connection, and presence where the moment feels meaningful beyond words. I would need intentional stillness, authenticity, and a sense of being in harmony with something greater, whether it's nature, truth, or human connection.
Johnny: Sacred to me is to be at peace and honest to yourself. I need to be honest and true to myself to feel sacred.
What does it mean for you to have spaces where youth feel sacred?
Kristian: It means a space where youths' voices and youths' thoughts are valued, highlighted and celebrated. A space where systems of the world don't interfere with the sanctity of our youth. An ecochamber of various ideas, perspectives and opinions.
Moana: What it means to have spaces where youths feel valued and heard and also feeling inspired and having a good role model within the space that is being withheld and making sure every youth feels safe and is being cared for in areas that may be needed. I think youths feel sacred when there is consistent empowerment and support from their supervisors.
Ivan: places/environments where youth feel loved, accepted, protected, heard, and completely themselves. A community center that provides the aforementioned and mingling with gym/rec centers for sports and fitness classes, counseling and mentorship,and arts/music rooms.This would be a great way to advocate and make a change.
Kamarie:What does it mean for me to be sacred in youth spaces is music and community, and mutual respect.
Maria: Having spaces where youth feel sacred means somewhere where they feel comfortable & accepted. These types of places will help them better themselves.
Keyshaun: Having spaces where youth feel sacred means creating environments where we aren seen , valued , and safe to be our authentic selves. It’s about honoring our voices , experiences and identities in a way that nurtures our growth and empowers us to thrive.
Johnny: To be in the gym or in a silent room where i can read or reflect, a place where i feel safe and comfortable
What youth spaces would you want built in your community? If they existed what would be the impact on youth safety?
Kristian: In my community the hope would be that every space is a safe one to our youth. Schools, work, places of community and most importantly family. That every space people are free and open to be who they are free of judgment and persecution. Community safety must adopt a new form of “policing,” rethinking the concept in its entirety. Abolishing systems, standards and institutions set by our enemy, nurturing our youth focusing on nurturing their mental and spiritual wellbeing. In turn allowing our youth to dream, to imagine, think of freedom more than our ancestors could.
Moana: A more open and a more youth free flow rhythm within the work and also having an equitable strategic plan of how we can implement some type of structure that would ensure young people are feeling safe and is prevented from harm in this space. Youth Centered and having youth led items and input is really important to ensure that young people are feeling safe and are able to build a community with their decision making and how they can create a just safe space for all BIPOC young people.
Ivan: I would love to build a youth center with a gym/rec along with fitness classes. I feel it will reduce juvenile crime rates, improve physical health and wellness among teens. As for myself, I would love to provide the youth with a positive role model/mentor.
Kamarie: The way i would impact youth spaces is by using my voice to encourage and impact others and teaching others about resources anyway I can.
Maria: I would like to build spaces where youth can come together and build their future, offering them resources to achieve the goals they have. Youth would be more safe in these spaces because they would have something to look forward to.
Keyshaun: I would want inclusive youth centers with creative studios, mental health support, and recreational areas where teens can safely express themselves and build community. If these spaces existed, they could reduce isolation, provide positive alternatives to risky behavior, and increase overall youth safety and well-being.
Johnny: I would like to build a place where youth can feel safe and comfortable. A place where youth can learn new skills and resources to continue their growth in a positive way.
What do you want people to know about the unique challenges in your neighborhood/community?
Kristian: I think definitely a unique (not so unique) challenge is when it comes down to passing resolutions to amplify solidarity to a community, stop cops from killing community members, or even just a protection for our educators, my city council never seems to be serving the community. And only resists when the people voice their demands.
Moana: I think just about the environmental racism, the increase of gentrification- over time of people being pushed out, lack of resources, food desert, front-line community- immigration issue. I think for the most part most of the issues that already play in my community already take part and bits of pieces of the issue already happening around globally.
Ivan: My city struggles with high poverty rates, water scarcity due to droughts, limited healthcare access with only one hospital, a youth crime rate 25% higher than the national average, and a growing homelessness issue due to poverty and lack of affordable housing.
Kamarie: My neighborhood is peaceful and quiet by 10 pm, and everyone in my neighborhood is outside walking around 6 pm-8 pm, and it’s nice seeing everyone getting air and walking, not on devices.
Maria: I would like for people to know the challenges in my community such as homelessness & violence. Homelessness & violence is caused mostly for the youth that don’t have many opportunities. Youth also suffer with violence due to getting involved with gangs.
Keyshaun: Hyde Park and Crenshaw face unique challenges such as limited access to quality resources, including education and healthcare, which impacts long-term opportunities for residents. The community also grapples with the lasting effects of systemic inequality, while working hard to preserve its rich cultural identity and support local businesses.
Johnny: I grew up in Salinas ca and my neighborhood is a peaceful place where everyone is welcoming for the most part. I grew up in an area where there is a lot of gang influence and violence but it's a beautiful place for me.
How do you see story telling as a way to build power?
Kristian: I see story telling as a very effective way to showcase a struggle/movement. As a way to push people to support an effort or cause. Testimonies from youth for examples should be at the forefront of the conversation to youth sacredness. In terms of power, acknowledging how strong stories can be. I think of the East LA walkouts in how it was in the students of east LA to tell the stories of the people, inform and bring to light their side of the story. Of course, opposing the master narrative which paints the youth as dangerous when really they were revolutionary and righteous in their action. Far too long the story and narrative has been told by those oppressing us, manipulating and lying. It’s up to us to uplift those stories most neglected.
Moana: I think storytelling is a way to build power because it builts inspiration from your story and people wanting to also share their story as well and it makes people want to come together and unite as a community and see how they impacted and seeing what type of next steps to move forward with.
Ivan: I believe storytelling had a profound impact on communities. It fosters empathy, builds trust with youth mentors, inspires positive change, preserves community heritages, and unites different ages and cultures. Coming together by storytelling creates unity and unity builds power.
Kamarie: I see storytelling as a way to build power b/c of the power the youth voice holds in a room, and the story tells a person how powerful you are and how far you’ve come and your journey.
Maria: I see story telling as a way to build power because story telling can help people understand and/or feel motivated. Story telling can inspire others to what they hear. This can build power by bringing people together to share & hear each other's stories.
Keyshaun: Storytelling builds power by shaping how people understand themselves, their communities, and the world. It connects emotions to ideas, making values and struggles relatable, which can mobilize others, shift perspectives, and inspire collective action. Through shared narratives, marginalized voices gain visibility and influence.
Johnny: I believe storytelling is a way for people to understand you and feel what you're going through with the power of words. It also gives people the opportunity to know you and possibly have a connection with your story that is similar to theirs.
