The Opportunity Agenda

The Narrative Bootcamp series is a new offering from TOA’s Immigrant Narrative Strategy Table. In July, we hosted the first webinar in this three-part series with Narrative Initiative’s Rinku Sen. In this Introduction to Narrative, TOA’s researchers shared some of our key learnings around narrative change while Rinku delved into the distinction between strategic communications, showing successful campaign examples. This webinar emphasized the need for a narrative strategy approach to our immigration movement work that focuses on the long-term vision of success. Join the second part of this Bootcamp series on 9/13 with Define American’s Sarah Lowe! Register: bit.ly/nrl924

So proud of my team and our incredible partners including photographer Oscar B. Castillo, Andrea Wilson & Lenah Barge at F.Y. Eye and Charlie and Britney at The Opportunity Agenda. Go see #NYProud at Photoville Times Square or Brooklyn (near BAM) or visit immigrantsareny.org. Now more than ever, we need to remember that immigrants are the beating heart of NYC, central to our identity and our future!

Am so excited for #NYProud to be launched! This public art campaign grew out of research from The Opportunity Agenda and our partners at The New York Immigration Coalition, and was produced in collaboration with F.Y. Eye and photographer Oscar Castillo. The project is live on subway platforms around the city, and at three Photoville Pop-Ups in Time-Square, BAM, and Queens.

#NewYorkProud! For the past few months, TOA’s researchers have worked in close collaboration with The New York Immigration Coalition, F.Y. Eye, and photographer Oscar B. Castillo to bring this New York Proud public art campaign to life! This public art project reaffirms immigrants’ vital contributions in shaping NYC’s identity by highlighting local immigrants and their stories. Find these beautiful images in a subway station, bus ad, or pop-up exhibit around New York City now through mid-September! Visit immigrantsareny.com for more information 💫

This Labor Day, let’s take a moment to reflect on the stories that shape our nation. Did you know that immigrants make up nearly 20 percent of the U.S. workforce? Their contributions are woven into every industry and community across America. But while it’s important to recognize the economic value immigrants create, immigrants are so much more than workers. They’re people first, with stories to tell. Use our Five Tips for Talking About Immigrant Justice to learn how you can shift the conversation in your circles—rallying friends and family to join the movement for immigrant justice! https://lnkd.in/eFKVYthX #laborday #immigrantjustice #communications #narrative #shiftthenarrative

Thank you to our amazing Narrative Innovators Lab fellows! Our week together has come to a close, but this is just the beginning of our cohort experience. On Day 5 of the NIL, fellows presented their design team interventions to make social justice common sense. The Communications Institute and Culture and Narrative fellows will continue to meet throughout the next six-months to train, strategize, and skill-share in order to build the narrative foundation for a multiracial democracy. This lab would not be possible without the efforts of so many incredible people. We are so grateful to: 📌 STAMP Event Co. for the flawless event production 🏠 Women Building Up for sharing their empowering space for us to gather in 🌟Guest Faculty speakers Marc Bamuthi Joseph, Su Patel of The New York Immigration Coalition, Britney Vongdara of TOA, Andrea Wilson of F.Y. Eye, and Adama Delphine Fawundu for sharing their wisdom and insights on cultural strategy and advocacy 📸: Carolina Kroon for the beautiful event photography 🌳 Lefferts Historic House for allowing us to tour the eye-opening Ancestral Whispers exhibit 💙 Our Communications Institute fellows for their dedication to shifting narratives 💛 Our Culture & Narrative fellows for sharing their creative talents with the movement 🌿 TOA staff for the thoughtful programming and training for this event

We had a transformative morning at the Lefferts Historical House on Day 4 of the NIL! Touring the “Ancestral Whispers” exhibit by artist Adama Delphine Fawundu, our fellows were able to experience a cultural intervention in action. Afterwards, we sat down for an artist chat with Adama to explore how artists can collaborate with institutions to shift the larger story. 🌸 Inspired by this creative practice, fellows brainstormed their own intervention ideas using TOA’s narrative framework. Fellows ideated on their narrative goals, target audiences, and intervention opportunities to reach their audiences. Through this 6-month fellowship, we’re excited to see these ideas continue to blossom. 🌼

On Day 3 of the NIL opening program, our fellows explored the pivotal role of cultural strategies in driving narrative change. We engaged in enlightening discussions with artists and culture makers to see real examples of culture’s ability to reshape the BIG story. 🗣 In the morning, we heard from our 2024 Creative Advisor Marc Bamuthi Joseph who discussed what a commitment to social impact via cultural strategy can look like. Later, we were joined by our co-collaborators from The New York Immigration Coalition and F.Y. Eye to talk about our latest demonstration project using our New York immigration research. This collaborative narrative intervention project with photographer Oscar B. Castillo aims to shift narratives about immigrants in NYC by highlighting their cultural contributions to this vibrant city. 🌆

Honored!

I am tired of the problematic narrative that Portland is a horrible place to live. I have seen how the narrative has demobilized us. I am excited to learn how to weave a better narrative grounded in the reality of our amazing, feisty, weird city. So excited to be a Narrative Innovators fellow!