By Lauren Meyer
CCC Journalism Program
CAMDEN – Ten advocates spoke at the Riletta Twyne Cream Learning Theater on Feb. 23 to discuss programs being instituted to encourage positivity in the city of Camden, New Jersey.
The project, called Stories Invincible, is a collection of stories from nine individuals who are devoted to advocating for the betterment of Camden. In addition to this presentation, information about their initiatives was placed on a program website.
Participants in this event discussed positive initiatives that are intended to result in a fruitful future for the city and the people living there. These presenters tackled issues that are affecting the citizens of Camden and communicated actions they said will create solutions. They discussed food insecurity, turning negative stereotypes into positive impressions, exposure to art, economic growth and several other topics. All of these issues were presented in an intimate yet educational format.
Jamaal Na’im, who created an initiative to educate Camden residents about financial literacy, said he has already witnessed results. “Seeing how they develop and learn is amazing,” he said.
This presentation was organized by Stories Invincible Project Coordinator Reet Starwind of the Center for Cooperative Media at Montclair State University and Professor Elizabeth Bass of Camden County College. Bass said she brought this event to Camden County as a “gift to the college and the community.” She will retire soon after 31 years of teaching and said she wanted to put on a presentation that celebrated the community and its values. The majority of the approximately 60 people who attended the event were members of the Camden community.
Starwind said he decided to name the project Stories Invincible because Camden is already known as the City Invincible. The Center for Cooperative Media asked Starwind to create a name that included a restorative narrative and paid homage to the city. He said he believed that “there is an actual solution attached to the story that we are telling.”
Bringing these topics to the attention of the media has the potential to create a positive perception of the City Invincible, Starwind said. This presentation highlighted women, people of color and marginalized voices to tell their stories. The community forum allowed these individuals to discuss these issues in a conversational setting.
At a reception after the presentation, audience members had the opportunity to speak with the presenters. Many people stayed until the end to ask questions of the presenters.
Paige Bates, who created an initiative that encourages Camden residents to grow, sell and buy fresh produce they might not otherwise have access to, said, “We are each other’s harvest.”
The presenters for Stories Invincible were hired on an application basis. A large pool of candidates wanted their stories to be heard. Starwind said he was disappointed he could not include everyone who applied in this event and wished all their stories could be heard. He wondered, “What other secrets are out there?”
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