Ep. 106 The Power of Storytelling to Shape Culture and Shift the Narrative about Race with Ardre Orie
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Happy #SeekTheJoy Tuesday!
On the podcast today is Ardre Orie, social activist, entrepreneur, publisher, philanthropist, and author on a mission to give marginalized voices a platform to speak.
In this week’s episode Ardre and I chat about the role of storytelling in shaping culture and shifting the narrative about race, the importance of sharing your story, and why writing your own narrative provides a blueprint for future generations. Ardre shares the phenomenal work she’s doing with 13th and Joan and 100 Seeds of Promise, how she’s created a home for countless stories that would otherwise go untold, the important role of allies in this work, and how she’s empowering men of color to document their own narratives. Plus Ardre shares why it’s important to address the trauma that results from being a marginalized voice, how she’s remaining spiritually grounded and prioritizing her wellness, the importance of protecting your joy and your peace, her biggest dream, and so much more!
This week’s episode is so timely and I really enjoyed connecting with Ardre. I can’t wait to hear what you think! Make sure to join the conversation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter!
“I do believe that no one can tell your story better than you can. Whenever you experience something, you should absolutely be the first to narrate that, share that experience, and really go in depth about what you feel, what you think, and how you see the world. We all see the world through our own lens, and it’s really important that we recognize that and tell stories from that vantage point.”
“I am encouraged by truth. I am encouraged by the people who are not afraid to stand on it. I am encouraged by the individuals who feel inspired by the pain, or who are called to action by the trauma, to make a difference and to allow younger generations to see what standing up and fighting looks like. Those things encourage me.”
Ardre is the CEO of 13th & Joan Publishing and the founder of 100 Seeds of Promise, a literary initiative that empowers men of color to document their own narratives and guarantees their representation as published authors.
As a Celebrity Ghostwriter, Orie has written for a host of clients including Grammy Award-winning artists, A-list Hollywood actors, professional athletes, and a bevy of entrepreneurs and everyday heroes. Orie's work has been featured on VH1, MTV, WETV, Bravo, BET, Centric, and more.
Ardre is empowering black voices and using story-telling to combat racism, both in society and in the overwhelmingly white publishing industry.
The fight for racial justice and equality is now at the forefront of the national conversation but it is not a new battle for social activist and publisher Ardre Orie. The former public school principal recognized a tremendous deficit in the published works for men of color and a significant lack of representation in the literary marketplace.
The publishing industry remains an overwhelmingly white business that does not reflect the diversity of the U.S. population. According to a 2019 survey, only 5% of the publishing workforce is black. Disturbed by the lack of diversity, Orie vowed to create a home for the countless stories that go untold.
“The number one thing that I am urging storytellers to claim is their power.
There is so much power in the narrative. What we believe about ourselves, what we believe ourselves to be capable of, the experiences and the way in which they happen, all of those things are what control how we exist and how we show up in the world. It is absolutely powerful to reclaim and to take ownership of the narrative.”
"The book industry has the power to shape culture and shift the narrative about race. We need to chronicle our own stories so they're left behind as valuable blueprints that document our existence and honor our legacies..."
...says Orie, who is on a mission to combat racism through story-telling, one tale at a time. After the death of Philando Castile, a 32-year-old African American man who was fatally shot during a traffic stop, Orie created 100 Seeds of Promise, a literary initiative that empowers men of color to document their narratives and exists to guarantee their representation as published authors.
"Future generations need to know how to overcome the things we're faced with each day as well as the greatness that lives within each of us..."
...says Orie, who is on target to surpass the goal of publishing the works of 100 black men, since the initiative launched in 2019. Orie is also slated to begin constructing a new anthology that features the stories of black men who have lived to tell the stories of the harsh realities and social inequality, slated to publish next year.
To connect with Ardre and learn more visit her website http://iamardreorie.com and http://100seedsofpromise.com and on Facebook @iamardreorie @13thandjoan @100seedsofpromise Instagram: @13thandjoan @iamardreorie @100seedsofpromise on YouTube here and on LinkedIn here
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