The Storytelling Ecosystem

How stories shape movements, memory, and social change

Live Conversation with Shabazz Larkin & Avril Speaks
July 9, 2026 | 12:00 PM CT
Hosted on The Path of Shabazz

Stories do more than entertain. They help us remember who we are, imagine what is possible, and make meaning of the world around us. Within movements for justice and social change, storytelling plays a vital role — connecting people to shared values, preserving collective memory, and sustaining hope when the work feels difficult.

Join artist and storyteller Shabazz Larkin and Christians for Social Action’s Director of Storytelling, Avril Z. Speaks, for a live conversation exploring storytelling as part of the broader ecosystem of change. Together, they will reflect on the power of narrative to shape culture, deepen empathy, and help communities move beyond information toward genuine human connection.

Using CSA’s God’s Secret Chair installation as a starting point, the conversation will explore the stories that often go untold, the practice of listening, and the ways creativity can help communities remember, heal, and imagine new possibilities.

The discussion will also consider the growing role of artificial intelligence in creative work. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating content, what remains uniquely human about storytelling? How can emerging technologies be used in ways that deepen connection rather than diminish it? And what responsibilities do storytellers carry in this rapidly changing landscape?

Whether you are an artist, organizer, leader, writer, or simply someone who cares about the power of stories, this conversation will offer fresh insight into why storytelling remains essential for building a more just and humane world.

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