This summer, the N4 global team met for a retreat in Santa Fe, New Mexico, to celebrate all we accomplished in the first half of the year and talk about our plans for the rest of 2024.
N4 Student Ambassadors from University Heights High School
model a story exchange for their peers.
What a summer we have had! It all began with a ray of bright light in late June when the whole N4 global team got together in Sante Fe, New Mexico, a strategic hub in the United States. We relished the chance to celebrate all that we have collectively accomplished in the first half of the year, and sharpened our focus on plans for the academic year 2024-2025. Our intrepid travelers came from Ireland, Nigeria, Mexico, the Middle East, and all over the United States. It was a time for solidifying the N4 vision – creativity, compassion, connection and change. We had a chance to reignite our vision for a world so deeply in need of healing through stories and storytelling. There was plenty of laughter (think karaoke, food trucks, swag bags, rock-paper-scissors competitions and late night conversations) --in tandem with some really serious engagement on the global themes.
“In these broken times, Narrative 4 is all about healing,” said our CEO Lisa Consiglio.
WE NEED OUR RISING LEADERS
Another highlight of the retreat was hearing about how the Pacific Northwest (USA) Team created N4 Rising Leaders Collective to equip and embolden youth to make a tangible impact in their communities. What an initiative this is- talk about an immersive experience! The N4 Rising Leaders Collective (RLC) is an immersive 6-month program where our youngest and brightest get a chance to engage in multiple story exchanges. Connections are created and community sparks fly. The Rising Leaders, ages 15 through 20, get a chance to initiate change in their communities in Idaho, Oregon and Washington. They harness the power of stories to create projects and proposals that really allow for action on the ground. The original motto of Narrative 4 is “stories, action, change.”
One participant said, “I felt like we connected through our stories and learned a lot about one another.”
Another participant shared, “This [experience] helped make my project feel tangible.” Great ideas have endless reach and the Rising Leaders Collective is living proof of this.
N4 plans to expand initiatives like this throughout key regions as we focus on amplifying youth leadership and we congratulate the eight inspirational youth leaders who graduated in June! Special kudos to the N4 team members, including intern Ang Sivers, Regional Manager Tai Schroeder, and Associate Sean Cain who breathed life into this incredible experience for our young leaders!
We are excited to witness the ongoing impact of RLC alumni in their communities and look forward to welcoming more young people into the next cohort. Your ideas and feedback are most welcome!
Rising Leaders Collective Graduates
We invite you to join us for virtual story exchanges, virtual facilitator training, and skillful intervention workshops!
45 women from the Association of Mexican Women Head of Companies (AMMJE) participated in a story exchange with N4 Mexico's institutional partner, Universidad del Noreste (UNE).
Investing in Intergenerational Leaders in Palestine
In Nablus, Palestine, Tomorrow’s Youth Organization had a certification ceremony for the participants of the Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Women’s Empowerment Program. This intergenerational program brought together women aged 18 to 60 to become story exchange facilitators. One newly trained facilitator said, “I never thought I could be in a place of leadership, but now I feel capable.”
Restorative Educational Practices in Ireland
25 teachers from Ireland with a background in restorative practice came together to complete in-person facilitator training at the Limerick Education Centre. Participants explored the power of the Story Exchange and its connection to restorative practices.
Miami Country Day School Training
SE2 Regional Manager Jahi Mackey and Lead Trainer Nakya Marshall led a facilitator training at Miami Country Day School in Miami, FL. The educators were passionate and enthusiastic about the work, noting that it was the best training they had attended.
Finding Peace from the Inside Out
The Narrative 4 Artists Network collaborated with Global Citizens Circle to host a virtual panel discussion on ‘Finding Peace from the Inside Out.’ The discussion featured artists Ishmael Beah and Libby Hoffman. Make sure to watch the workshop recording!
Sharing Untold Stories in Israel
Tenth graders from Ort Shapira High School in Israel participated in a story exchange in Hebrew, writing and retelling stories from their grandparents. One participant shared that “the project was engaging. It surprised me to hear about my friend's grandparents' different stories.”
