What is diverse storytelling?

Telling diverse stories is about allowing authentic history and experiences to shine through in a way that is educational, soulful, concise and compelling.

Using my many years of experience of writing for the press, commercial clients and myself, I know how to tell a good tale. However, increasingly the public - especially generations Z and Alpha - expect to see stories told with more honesty.

They've grown up (and younger ones are still growing up) with fake news, the internet and global crises such as the pandemic, economic instability and climate change. They're 'on it' and will question something if it doesn't meet their expectations of inclusion and authenticity.

Comic strip mural of the history of the Ipswich Suffolk Council for Racial Equality in Power of Stories, featuring local people from Ipswich's Black community. Photo: Megan Wilson.

Also, ensuring stories are finally told through the lens of global majority people is, morally, the right thing to do.

Inspired by museum practices

Inspired by the progressive practices in the museums sector, I call it diverse storytelling; where stories are researched with sensitivity, respect and acceptance, and told by those who 'own' the stories.

In the museum world, it's called decolonisation - the progressive process whereby historic accounts reveal the truths of the enslaved African people and other groups oppressed by the British Empire.

Panel from Power of Stories. Photo: Megan Wilson.

My approach

I base my approach on learnings from advanced practices used for the national award-winning Power of Stories exhibition, and my related work on the Black community engagement initiative, Aspire Black Suffolk (which became a community interest company).

I create Brave Spaces* for organisations and brands to re-asses current practices, re-write existing stories and create new ones.

I can write narratives or enable others to tell their own stories, either through capturing audio or video interviews or in writing. Whatever we choose to do, I'm dedicated to producing a high standard of authentic content.

From Dining With Heroes exhibition at the Food Museum. Photo by Elma Glasgow

Here's an example of narratives for a photographic exhibition, Black Suffolk by John Ferguson. Featured on The Guardian website, you can find out more here.

​ Let's get started - drop me a line: hello@elmaglasgowconsulting.com.

​ *The term is inspired by the Power of Stories evaluation on community engagement and co-curation.