“Everyone is an expert at their own lived experiences and has vision for their neighborhood.”
ST. LOUIS — This year’s Trap Run marked the 7th annual hip hop-themed 5k run/walk in north St. Louis.
Saturday, as hundreds gathered to celebrate the power of community, unity and grassroots efforts, there was an underlying mission to persevere through struggle.
Dozens of vendors set up tents right next to a dilapidated red clay brick building, wrecked from the May 16 tornado. Among them was Invest STL and 4TheVille’s pop-up Story Lounge. People could come into the space, choose a prompt on the wall, share their stories by writing them, coloring them,and then display them on the walls. They could also be recorded on camera.
“It’s a space for people to share their stories, to connect, to carefully weave Black stories and visions for the future,” said Alyssa Potter, the narrative and communications lead with Invest STL and co-creator of the Story Lounge.
How are those stories shared? Only the storyteller decides.
Some people may come into the space and write the stories to keep for themselves, but others may want to share them with the world. The space permits each person to do both.
If the storytellers within the community give their consent, Potter said, they will take those stories and carefully weave them together with the help of This isn’t my Degree.
“We’re going to amplify those voices on our website, on our digital channel and promotional material,” Potter said.
This is the beginning of a neighborhood storytelling practice for Invest STL.
“Reframing Black narratives” is the focus for Potter. “There are a lot of incorrect or not fully baked stories and beliefs about St. Louis, about Black St. Louis, about Black neighborhoods, about Black people, and it’s really important people understand the power of sharing their own stories, hearing their own stories, and what is something that should be shared,” she said.
The pop-up is expected to be at the Trap Run next year, with the hope that people will find pride in who they are and what they have overcome.
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“Everyone is an expert at their own lived experiences and has a vision for their neighborhood, their community, their family, and we really want to be part of sharing those stories, ” Potter said.
Although it was the pop-up’s debut, the space was filled with people excited about the idea of preserving their unique stories.
