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The Stories of Us

@tsouorg

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We create spaces for people to explore together how we make the equality & solidarity core to the Declaration of Independence reality for everyone

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What roots our existence? What connects us to those who came before us, and what do we owe those who will come after?

In 𝘏𝘰𝘯𝘰𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘔𝘺 𝘈𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴, artist Alicia Vasquez @aliciavtattoos explores these questions through the discovery of her African, Taíno, and Seneca ancestry. Through the tree, the river, and the symbols of peace woven into her design, she reveals a profound truth: everything is connected, and everything has value.

Her work invites us to see belonging differently. Not as something we claim, but as a relationship we nurture with our ancestors, one another, and the land that sustains us.

This Indigenous Peoples’ Day, we honor Indigenous peoples and the knowledge, cultures, and relationships with the earth that endure across generations.

And we are left with a question worth carrying beyond today: What are we doing to honor what we have inherited, and what will we leave for those who come after us?

Discover the story behind Alicia Vasquez’s Honoring My Ancestors here: https://www.thestoriesofus.org/originsvasquez, with her sculpture currently on display at the Conely Branch of the @detroitpubliclibrary.

#IndigenousPeoplesDay #TheStoriesOfUs #HonoringMyAncestors #ArtAndBelonging taken in Indigenous Peoples' Day by @tsouorg

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7 days ago

Our stories. Our culture. Our voice.

As we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month, we’re celebrating the stories, traditions, memories, and voices that keep culture alive. With The Stories of Us’ bilingual storytelling platform, you can record and share your story in Spanish or English; no forms, no typing, just your voice. Because every story deserves to be heard, in the language that feels like home.

Visit our website to share your story and add your story https://www.thestoriesofus.org/tsou

#TheStoriesOfUs #HispanicHeritageMonth #YourStoryYourCultureYourVoice #StoriesInSpanish #DigitalStorytelling by @tsouorg

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10 days ago

What happens when sharing your story is as easy as speaking?

In June, The Stories of Us launched the beta of a new storytelling platform built around the idea that everyone has a story worth hearing, but not everyone feels comfortable writing it down. So we designed the experience to be radically accessible.

A person simply responds to a prompt by speaking in English or Spanish. Through our storytelling platform powered by Speech-to-Story technology, spoken voice is turned into a written story participants can review, approve and share, all within minutes.

To date, more than 1,000 storytellers have used the platform to share their experiences, giving us an early glimpse of what becomes possible when telling your story is as easy as speaking.

Visit our website to learn more and share your story. https://www.thestoriesofus.org/stories by @tsouorg

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13 days ago

The spirit of those who came before us lives on.

@ayo.y.scott’s 𝘌𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 reflects on legacy, ancestry, and the ways our parents, grandparents, and ancestors continue to shape who we are. Inspired by the rich cultural traditions of New Orleans, the sculpture is a reminder that what is passed down through generations can continue to echo through us.

Come view 𝘌𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘴 𝘰𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘚𝘱𝘪𝘳𝘪𝘵 alongside four other Talking Drums at the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans before the exhibition comes to an end next week! by @tsouorg

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16 days ago

We had the pleasure of gathering at Hannan Center for a powerful conversation with Detroit artists Shirley Woodson @shirleywoodsonartist and Senghor Reid @senghorreid.

Together, they reflected on creativity, memory, community, and the importance of preserving our stories for the generations that come after us.

From Shirley’s decades of artistic leadership to Senghor’s work exploring dreams, nature, memory, and healing, the conversation reminded us that art can be more than something we look at; it can be a way of remembering, connecting, and passing something forward.

Thank you to everyone who joined us, and to Shirley Woodson and Senghor Reid for sharing their stories, perspectives, and wisdom.

A special thank you to @aarpmichigan and @hannancenter for partnering with The Stories of Us to create space for this meaningful conversation and for helping bring these stories to the community.

This is what The Stories of Us is all about: creating space for voices, experiences, and stories that help shape who we are.

#TheStoriesOfUs #ArtStoriesLegacy #Community taken in Hannan Center by @tsouorg

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25 days ago

Thank you to everyone who joined us last night at the CAC for The Story Continues: A Conversation with Ron Bechet, Ayo Scott, and Annie Moran.

We’re grateful to our artists, @cacnola , and @tsouorg for a meaningful conversation centered on community, creativity, and heritage in New Orleans. by @tsouorg

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a month ago

When we began The Stories of Us, we knew we needed a form to carry the stories we would collect. It needed to be universal and captivating.

Designer Jomo Tariku @jomotariku responded to our RFP with the Talking Drum and we fell in love. It was a perfect manifestation of our work. A vessel to share messages from one village to the next.

From Detroit to the United Nations, Brooklyn Bridge Park, Cleveland, New Orleans, and now Chicago, the Talking Drums have traveled across cities and communities, carrying with it an invitation to listen and share.

The drum becomes a meeting place between what was, what is, and what is still becoming.

In Chicago, that conversation continues....... by @tsouorg

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a month ago

The Stories of Us partnered with the @DetroitPublicLibrary to install five Talking Drum sculptures where residents can scan a QR code on the drum to share lived experiences and build a living portrait of Detroit.

The Talking Drums will be located at five Detroit Public Library branches: Conely, Edison, Main Library, Redford, and Wilder.

Ashley Shaw-Scott Adjaye, Co-Founder and CEO of The Stories of Us, wrote a guest blog post speaking about the launch of their digital storytelling platform and how this will help Detroiters be seen through public art and shape a richer understanding of Detroit communities.

"As we grow, our ambition is to help civic institutions continuously learn from the people they serve, beginning where people live, gather, and belong — like public libraries. We also want to create an ongoing way for people to be heard beyond any single gathering." — Ashley Shaw-Scott Adjaye

Read Ashley's guest blog post at GilbertFamilyFoundation.org or use the Sprout link in our bio. by @tsouorg

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a month ago

The Stories of Us (@tsouorg) hosted an intimate mural workshop where artists got to learn from the one and only Dr. Hubert Massey. Artists got the opportunity to get a closer look at his creative process, tour his studio, and learn different techniques to help improve their artistry. 🎨🖌️ by @tsouorg

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a month ago

Join The Stories of Us, @aarpmichigan, and @hannancenter for a special conversation with acclaimed Detroit artists @shirleywoodsonartist and @senghorreid.

Together, they’ll explore the power of art, memory, community, and storytelling, and share how we can preserve our stories, inspire what comes next, and bring people together through the arts.

Come listen. Come learn. Come be inspired.

📅 Monday, September 21, 2026
⏰ 1:00–3:00 PM
📍 Kayrod Gallery, Hannan Center
4750 Woodward, Detroit, MI 48201

𝐑𝐞𝐠𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨𝐝𝐚𝐲: events.aarp.org/artstorylegacy
or scan the QR code. taken in Hannan Center by @tsouorg

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a month ago

𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐤𝐞𝐧𝐝, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝟏𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐢𝐜, 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐚𝐫𝐭.

EAC returns to the 16th ward/ Ald. Stephanie Coleman’s Englewood Music Fest at 63rd & Halsted while also activating the EAC Arts Village Sculpture Park at 63rd & May, where five of our sculptures remain on display.

Come experience them on Saturday from 12-4pm then hop on the free shuttle and enjoy the sounds and spirit of Englewood at the Fest.

Check out @englewoodartscollective for more details. by @tsouorg

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a month ago

What can a single painting lesson unlock?

Join Detroit artist Peter Daniel Bernal for an intimate artist talk and painting class exploring the craft, culture, and meaning behind painting people of color.

Drawing from his own journey of understanding heritage and his lifelong relationship with art, Bernal goes beyond technique to explore art as a tool for healing, social justice, and self-expression.

Come curious. Leave inspired.

📅 Saturday, September 19
⏰ 12:00–1:00 PM
📍 Boll Family YMCA
1401 Broadway, Detroit, MI 48226

Scan the QR code to reserve your spot for this free workshop! by @tsouorg

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a month ago