Deborah Svec-Carstens: How I built community through tragedy

Deborah Svec-Carstens found herself by being vulnerable with a tight-knit community in a foreign country after an assault. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes every…

Kenny Gaskin : How I help students find their voice as a Black teacher in Iowa

Kenny Gaskin spent his childhood looking up to his teachers. Now he's a teacher with DMPS inspiring students and building a classroom community. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers …

Jordan Brooks: How I use art to inspire and build a community

Jordan Brooks felt like he didn't belong — until he discovered art. Now he uses it to help others build their communities. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes every…

Erlin Kakkanad: My son's curiosity about skin color helped me embrace myself

Erlin Kakkanad wasn't embracing her true self when her son asked an innocent question: "Mama, why am I brown?" It led to a long journey of discovery. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytel…

Jim Sayers: How volunteering at an Iowa prison helped me build a community

Jim Sayers entered an Iowa prison thinking every inmate was the same. He left with a close-knit community. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Community" on Feb. 27, 2024 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story …

Louise O'Donnell: As the oldest of 13 siblings, I know a lot about family

From homemade school clothes to weekly chore lists, Louise O'Donnell's parents showed their 13 children what it was like to put family first. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Family" on Oct. 24, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Projec…

Ehsan Shaban: How an Afghan refugee found solace from a family in Iowa

Ehsan Shaban found family in Iowa when he fled the war in Afghanistan. They were refugees themselves. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Family" on Oct. 24, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story and ever…

Luisita McBurney: How I built my family in Des Moines after moving from the Philippines

Luisita McBurney found herself alone after arriving in the U.S. So she created the Filipino American Society so other immigrants wouldn't feel stuck This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Family" on Oct. 24, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers…

Sonya Jackson: How my trailblazing grandma and great aunt shaped my life

Sonya Jackson's great aunt Lulu was the first Black woman in Iowa to earn a Ph.D. What lessons she and her grandmother taught her growing up. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Family" on Oct. 24, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Projec…

Sam Blum: How I found family in crowds at metal concerts

Sam Blum always felt like an outcast, until he found others like him at metal shows across Iowa and the world. This story was first told during the Des Moines Storytellers Project's "Family" on Oct. 24, 2023 at Hoyt Sherman Place.  The Des Moines Storytellers Project believes everyone has a story…