On Friday, October 4th, we gathered for our second meeting of Jackson Grown, an initiative designed to inspire and empower our community through storytelling and shared experiences. This session was centered around the theme “Building Your Inspiration,” and it was a day filled with connection, reflection, and the power of personal narratives.
Icebreaker: Two Truths and a Lie
To kick off our meeting, we engaged in an icebreaker activity adapted around the game “Two Truths and a Lie.” Fellows were divided into groups of three and were instructed to choose two stories from their small groups that had happened and invent a story that hadn’t. A Fellow however could not present his or her own story. This encouraged students for the first time to step into the shoes of another Fellow. Though lighthearted, it offered an opportunity to listen, process and practice the exercise of empathizing with the experiences of another person.
By the end of the activity, the group had broken the ice and also fostered a sense of camaraderie that would help build discussions throughout the day.
Diving into Stories
The meeting centered on the idea of identifying motivating stories in one’s life. Certainly a powerful tool for connecting with an audience, it can serve as an essential foundation for serving the community. For the first time, Fellows were introduced to the “Jackson Grown Workbook” which offers a structured guide for examining the community and working towards designing solutions to challenges in the area. In small groups, together with mentors the Fellows explored a thought-provoking question in Part 1:
What is a moment in your life when you became aware of a problem or challenge in the world around you?
Fellows were encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, as well as stories shared by friends or family members. This exercise prompted deep thinking about issues and challenges which are essential to the health and growth of any community. These important issues that students see as needing to be addressed can range from topics as “big” as the environment and local infrastructure to as personal as mental health, domestic violence or drug use by people in society.
Sharing Personal Narratives
As we delved into our stories, it was evident how impactful these “ah-ha!”moments of awareness can be. Fellows recounted instances where they noticed issues in their communities—moments that sparked a desire for change.
One fellow shared a powerful story about a moment in an elementary classroom that highlighted the struggles faced by Spanish-speaking students. This student recalled a day when he, as a primarily Spanish-speaking child, needed to ask the teacher to use the restroom.
He hesitated, struggling to find the right words in English. When he finally generated the courage to speak up, the teacher, frustrated by the language barrier, raised their voice, leaving the student feeling isolated and embarrassed.
In this moment, the fellow felt a surge of hesitancy to talk to others. And recounted how important it is for every child to feel safe, understood and heard. This incident opened his eyes to the challenges faced by students who are learning English, and sparked a passion for advocating for better English as a second language support in schools.
Another Fellow also shared a moment from their time in elementary school. They witnessed how many children arrived at school without basic supplies like notebooks and pencils. One day, a teacher became visibly upset when another student didn’t have the necessary materials for class. It became clear to the Fellow that this absence of supplies was likely due to the student’s family financial struggles to cover basic costs.
They realized that many families faced financial challenges that made it difficult to provide even the smallest things for their children. Inspired by this experience, the Fellow saw that a big challenge in the community was equity of opportunity in education and became determined to ensure that all students have the physical tools they need to succeed.
The Impact of Storytelling
After our group discussions, the group reconvened. Listening to each other’s narratives not only enriched everyone’s understanding of the challenges, small and large, faced within the community but also highlighted the shared values and aspirations that unite us.
One recurring theme was the emotional impact of these experiences. Many fellows expressed feelings of empowerment and responsibility, realizing that sharing stories can be a catalyst for change. When telling these stories to friends, fellows emphasized the importance of conveying not just the events that occurred but also the emotions that accompanied them. “I remember imagining if it were me in this situation,” one fellow noted, “and that’s what I want others to understand.”
Moving Forward
As the second meeting of this year’s Jackson Grown Leader Fellowship came to a close, it was clear that the exercise of storytelling had already strengthened the connections within the cohort and deepened understanding of issues each of the students had faced. The reflections shared will undoubtedly continue to fuel future discussions and initiatives as Jackson Grown continues over the course of the year.
Mentors and students left with a renewed sense of purpose and inspiration, eager to carry our stories forward and seek solutions to the challenges identified. As Jackson Grown Program Manager Lisbon Lopes said, “Together, we are not just participants in this journey—we are storytellers, change-makers, and a community dedicated to making a difference.” She continued, “We invite everyone in Jackson to reflect on the question of what inspires you? What challenges do you see in your community?”
