Driving Impact Through Storytelling: Why Census Narratives Matter
Estimated Reading Time: 9 minutes
Storytelling is one of the most influential mediums to convey the importance of the census. Organizations like StoryCorps have harnessed the power of personal narratives to educate communities about the direct impacts of the 2020 Census.
| Why | How | Key Stakeholders |
|---|---|---|
| Personal narratives emphasize the real-world implications of census data on individual lives, making its importance palpable. | In 2020, StoryCorps initiated a project that curated stories from diverse individuals, explaining how census data shaped their lives—ranging from education to public services. | Community-Based Organizations
Local Governments Businesses |
Next Steps for Key Stakeholders
| CBOs | Local Governments | Businesses |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Collaborate with local storytellers and create a platform to share census narratives. | 1. Support storytelling initiatives with grants or resources. | 1. Partner with community organizations to amplify census stories. |
| 2. Promote these stories on social media platforms. | 2. Highlight impactful census narratives on official websites or public broadcasts. | 2. Share how census data impacts business decisions and the local economy. |
| 3. Host virtual or physical events to showcase these narratives. | 3. Encourage public figures to share their census stories. | 3. Encourage employees to share their personal census narratives. |
