YMP's inaugural Fall 2018 "Storytelling for Change" Fellowship trained a diverse, intergenerational group of new and experienced writers, artists, organizers, educators, and local community members in the power of crafting and telling detailed, heart-moving, and inspiring personal stories that touch upon themes of civil injustice and civil liberties. 2018 Fellows included: Saburo Masada, Marion Isame Nakamura Masada, Anjali Kapoor-Davis, Nohemi Samudio Gamis, Paul Sanchez, CJ Acosta, Chimine Arfuso, Daniel Del Muro, Iman Alamri, Cassandra Little, Miya Sommers, Kelly Rauch, Cindy Vang, and Will Freeney.

Stories have power. The narratives we write and tell ourselves shape our lives and communities; they inspire action, bring nuance to memory and history, and help us envision a future world.

On February 9, 2019, we hosted our final performances for “Storytelling for Change” in a standing-room-only presentation room at Fresno State’s Henry Madden Library. We are so proud of our Storytelling Fellows! Thanks to arts critic, Donald Munro, for his moving review, in which he writes: “I won’t soon forget these stories… These were stories that cried, that snuck up on you, that fired up your indignation, that made you giggle. Some were raucous, messy and loud. Others were delivered with a slight quiver in the speaker’s voice, and you knew the act of delivering a monologue in front of 100 people could be a story of triumph in itself.” Many thanks to all of you who joined us! And thank you to Valley Public Radio for sharing the event.