In Season 2 of The TMI Project Story Hour: Black Stories Matter co-hosts Dara Lurie and Micah Blumenthal profile some of our favorite storytellers from our Black Stories Matter program.

About Season 2: Black Stories Matter

All of the stories in this season were created in Black-led true storytelling workshops where Black folks wrote about, shared, and reflected upon their experiences without having to justify, explain, or defend the truth of their lived experiences. We pair this body of work with a customized listening and discussion guide to inspire deep introspection, a willingness to transform oneself and take bold action to end systemic racism. Join us as we take a deeper dive and share the stories behind the secrets, and what happened next. Black Stories Matter supports and is aligned with the mission of Black Lives Matter.

Podcast Co-Hosts:

Dara Lurie

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Partnership Outreach Coordinator, Black Stories Matter Co-Director, Workshop Leader

I jumped at the opportunity to participate as a storyteller in TMI Project’s first workshop and performance of #BlackStoriesMatter in early 2017 and, later that year, as a TMI Project teacher-trainee. I can’t think of more important work than helping people tell their true stories.  If you think it’s simple, you should try it sometime.“

In addition to leading TMI Project workshops, Dara is an author and manuscript coach. She received a B.A. in Film & Theater from Vassar College and M.F.A. in Creative Writing from Hunter College. Dara grew up on the Upper West Side of Manhattan and migrated in the early 1980s to West Berlin, Germany, where she tended bar, wrote and performed in the theater while living in different communities of squatters, Green Party activists, journalists, teachers, and social workers. Her first book, Great Space of Desire; Writing for Personal Evolution, is a memoir and creative guide for writers wishing to tell their own stories.

Micah

Pronouns: He/Him/His
Black Stories Matter Co-Director, Workshop Leader

“TMI Project allows an exchange to happen. It feeds a deep need to know our own truth, to connect to something real. This is an ancient practice of sharing our stories and it’s perhaps the most revolutionary tool we have at our disposal.”

In addition to leading TMI Project workshops, Micah serves as the manager at GWI’s (Good Works Institute) Greenhouse Kingston, a yoga teacher at Mudita, and creator of DAY 1 (a New Year’s Day community event). He is on the board of Wild Earth (a non-profit Wilderness School), Radio Kingston, The Center for Creative Education, and O+ (a nonprofit health and wellness festival for artists and creators). He also serves as City of Kingston’s Art Commissioner at the Kingston Farmers Market.

About TMI Project & the Podcast

Since 2010, TMI Project has led nearly 150 true storytelling workshops and staged live storytelling performances by nearly 3,000 storytellers, which have been presented to audiences of over 250,000. In the past, you had to wait on line to get seated in an off-broadway theater, a cafeteria in a detention center, or perhaps you were coming to hear activists perform their stories at the United Nations. Now, you can listen from anywhere in the world. Tune in and join us. While you listen, don’t forget to ask yourself, “What is my TMI story?” We all have one.

Podcast Partners & Supporting Producers

Black Stories Matter Partners & Funders

Black Stories Matter is made possible by the New York State Council on the Arts
with the support of the Office of the Governor and the New York State Legislature.

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Fill out our form to access the accompanying Discussion and Action Guide to find out how you can use true stories as the launchpad for brave communication, meaningful discussion, and impactful action.