More Than A Single Story

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More Than A Single Story

A series of community conversations inspired by Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s powerful TED talk: The Danger of a Single Story.

More Than a Single Story, the core project was inspired when Carolyn Holbrook heard Nigerian novelist Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s TED talk, The Danger of a Single Story. Adichie commented, “It is vital to listen to the multiple stories of a person or a place, to truly engage
and gain an objective and in-depth understanding of a subject…”

Holbrook’s 2015 Artist Initiative Grant was her opportunity

to experiment with More…Story as a way to bring those stories into the public arena. It began as a series of six panels featuring writers of color and indigenous writers (WOCI writers), sharing work and engaging audiences in
conversation around issues and ideas, and approaches to writing about them. Topics ranged from ambiguous loss to reclaiming body image to how food issues affect us individually and in community. Hoping for about 25 participants at each event, over 150 showed up. Since then, more organizations have asked for More…Story, and Holbrook is expanding it to include men/male identified/LGBTQI writers of color and indigenous writers. Upcoming themes include Vigilance, Courage, Difficult Women Persisting, Masculinity within Cultures of Color, and more. While More…Story features writers of color and indigenous writers, all communities are welcome and encouraged in these conversations. By featuring diverse voices that have long been marginalized, More Than a Single Story balances public discourse and provides a forum for
cross-cultural understanding.

05/28/2026

Our 2025-2026 Go Back & Fetch it fellows have completed 10 months of mentorship and camaraderie, learning from established Black writers in a variety of literary genres. Join us for our final reading to celebrate with them!

05/23/2026

Carolyn Holbrook has been described as a mentor, a getaway driver, and even the Godmother of the literary arts. She was recently named the 2025 Distinguished Artist by the McKnight Foundation.

Surrounded by family, friends, and supporters, Holbrook was met with what felt like endless applause and multiple standing ovations. Beaming with grace and joy, she accepted the well-deserved honor while also receiving her flowers both literally and figuratively for the groundbreaking work she has dedicated to her community throughout her remarkable career.

Find out more here: https://www.mcknight.org/news-ideas/mcknight-names-carolyn-holbrook-2025-distinguished-artist?utm_source=McKnight+Foundation+Subscription+List&utm_campaign=5bfe9f4de3-Carolyn+Holbrook+2025+Distinguished+Artist&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_af22aca9e8-5bfe9f4de3-1432449878&mc_cid=5bfe9f4de3&mc_eid=39c11e4d5f

05/15/2026

Setting is often described as an element in a writer’s story, a tool that helps the reader visualize the place where their characters live. And yet, as humans, we are profoundly shaped by the land we come from, the water we live near, the plants and animals who share the earth with us, and the horizon that greets us each day.

During the writing workshops participants will explore their relationship to place through brief writing exercises, and consider how they might extend that visualization to their broader work.

Don’t forget to register at the link in our bio!

05/11/2026

More Than a Single Story invites you to apply for Go Back & Fetch It! Twelve early career Black writers will deepen their individual writing visions and skills; build connections with experienced writers; and connect with other emerging writers to create a community of support and encouragement to last long after the mentorship ends.

If you’re an early career Black writer—or know someone who is—please help us spread the word and encourage them to apply.

How to Apply: https://morethanasinglestory.com/programs/go-back-fetch-it/
Step 1- Fill out the eligibility form
Step 2- Fill out the application

05/09/2026

Introducing Payal Doshi ✨
Award-winning author of Rea and the Blood of the Nectar and recipient of the IPPY Gold Award, Payal Doshi writes stories filled with magic, adventure, and South Asian culture. Her works include the YA short story My Big, Fat, Desi Wedding, and her upcoming four-book chapter series, Magic Gems, arriving in 2026 with Scholastic Inc.

Born and raised in Mumbai and now based in Minnesota, Payal holds an MFA in Creative Writing from The New School. When she’s not writing fantastical worlds inspired by her South Asian heritage, you’ll find her reading with a cup of coffee close by.

Payal Doshi joined Nicole Collier in conversation this past Thursday for an insightful and inspiring discussion.
Catch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/yANSMj7T97Y?si=AqSWwD9lryFDWzYE

05/06/2026

Author Nicole D. Collier writes thoughtful, heartfelt stories about brave, creative girls learning to be true to themselves. From Just Right Jillian to The Best Friend Bracelet, her work explores identity, family, friendship, and the quiet power of courage and compassion. A former teacher and dedicated literacy advocate, she is committed to nurturing imagination, critical thinking, and confidence in young readers.

Join her tomorrow evening for Writer to Writer: Conversations Between BIPOC Writers. Register now to be part of this important conversation!

Register here: https://morethanasinglestory.com/event/writer-to-writer-with-payal-doshi-and-nicole-d-collier/

04/21/2026

Join us for a two-part workshop in support of the Mary Ann Key Book Club conversation with Robin Wall Kimmerer.

Novelist Diane Wilson's workshop focuses on land, encouraging participants to write about a beloved place that has influenced their lives. (May 5th)

Poet Halee Kirkwood's workshop focuses on water, encouraging participants to write about a waterway that nourishes them. (May 20th)

Refreshments begin at 5:30 p.m., followed by the workshop at 6 p.m. The workshop is offered in a hybrid format, both in person at All My Relations Arts Gallery or online via Facebook Live.

Please register here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/land-water-a-writers-relationship-with-place-tickets-1986009732572?aff=oddtdtcreator

04/16/2026

Carolyn Holbrook and Arleta Little reflected on the experiences and influences that led them to their craft.The conversation highlighted the power of collaboration and the importance of tapping into community resources, encouraging participants to grow within supportive creative spaces. They acknowledged that fear and uncertainty are natural parts of the creative journey, especially when sharing personal work. Ultimately, the event emphasized the importance of self-advocacy to empower writers to stay true to their voices and confidently tell their stories on their own terms.

Watch the full conversation here: https://youtu.be/gHmZBRW7RJU?si=8BTl7V3zyG-dS7qk

04/09/2026

Carolyn Holbrook is none other than More Than a Single Story's founder/ director.

Writer. Educator. Storyteller. Community builder.
Carolyn is a powerful voice for the healing power of the arts and she’s been doing the work for years. Her award-winning memoir Tell Me Your Names and I Will Testify took home the 2021 Minnesota Book Award, and her impact doesn’t stop there.

She’s the founder of More Than a Single Story, co-editor of We Are Meant to Rise, and a collaborator on stories that center truth, justice, and lived experience. From essays to anthologies to mentoring the next generation of writers, Carolyn’s words—and her work—continue to shape communities.

Oh, and beyond all that? She’s also a mom, grandmother, and great-grandmother to a whole legacy of amazing humans!

Safe to say… she’s not just telling stories—she’s changing them.

She was a featured panelist on last weekend's Embracing Our Roots: Rooted and Rising panelist series in conversation with Arleta Little. Watch their full conversation on Youtube here: https://youtu.be/gHmZBRW7RJU?si=lTrblsEOlIMnMCba

03/31/2026

Arleta Little is a poet, writer, and Culture worker. She is rooted in Black poetry, storytelling, and community. Arleta is the author of Black Swallowtail (2024), created in collaboration with Ta-coumba T. Aiken.

Arleta's work appears in multiple journals and anthologies, with a Pushcart-nominated essay. They are also a co-author of Hope in the Struggle.

Arleta is a nonprofit leader and advocate for Black literature, currently serving as Executive & Artistic Director at The Loft Literary Center.

Arleta will be a featured panelist in this Saturday’s Embracing Our Roots, alongside the founder of More Than a Single Story, Carolyn Holbrook. Don’t miss this powerful conversation and register here! https://www.eventbrite.com/e/embracing-our-rootsrooted-rising-with-carolyn-holbrook-and-arleta-little-tickets-1981788094539?aff=oddtdtcreator

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http://www.morethanasinglestory.com/

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