With support from the California Arts Council, Cinnamongirl Inc will enhance our proven Write Your Story program to serve 75 girls of color (ages 13-18) annually through our “Voices of Belonging” initiative. The $25,000 grant will strengthen our masterclass model with accomplished published authors of color while adding Community Culture Bearer sessions connecting girls with local storytellers and elders.
Each participant will conduct interviews with family or community members as regular writing assignments, creating both source material for original work and a community archive preserving local narratives. The program culminates in an annual Community Storytelling Showcase where girls present their writing alongside collected community stories.
This approach addresses barriers to arts access compounded by racial and cultural identity by creating culturally-responsive programming that honors participants’ heritage while developing artistic voices.