Support

Kimberly Jade Norwood participated in Perception Isn't Always Reality with a discussion with Teen Council members based on her book, Color Matters. Fen 7, 2015 at Kranzberg Arts Center
Kimberly Jade Norwood participated in Perception Isn’t Always Reality with a discussion with Teen Council members based on her book, Color Matters. Kranzberg Arts Center

 — Testimonial —

“The Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective are particularly interested in working with at risk teens. In St. Louis, at risk teens are primarily young poor black children. These children already live in one of the most segregated cities in America. That segregated reality also includes the following: they are more likely to live in poverty, be uneducated or inadequately educated, have shorter life expectancies, suffer from sexually transmitted diseases at much higher rates than white youth, least likely to be prepared for, to attend and to graduate from college. They are more likely, particularly the black males, to be unemployed and pipelined into the criminal justice system. The reasons for these social ills are manifold.

The Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective wants to help. They are offering to help by doing what they know best: sharing their passion for art, cultural exploration and knowledge with these youth. They wish to provide a safe space for these youth to come and gather. They want to share a craft with them. They want to help the youth tell their stories through their words and through art. They want to expose the youth to books, to opportunities, to friendships, to various technologies, to comfortable spaces to exhale. They want to help them stay safe, give them hope and help them find themselves. Of course, the work of the Saint Louis Story Stitchers will not solve all of the ills that these children face. But, as you surely know, there is no single magic bullet. Resolve comes by each of us chipping in by sharing our time and expertise with the people who need us the most. This is what the Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective is trying to do. I hope you will support their endeavor.”

Kimberly Norwood

Professor of Law
Professor of African & African American Studies

The Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that brings youth, 16-24 years old, and artists together in documenting our community through art, word, video, and music.

Saint Louis Story Stitchers
3701 Grandel Sq, 1A
St. Louis, MO 63108
storystitchers@gmail.com
314-899-9001

Saint Louis Story Stitchers is a 501(c)(3) public charity. Your donation is tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.

A Place for Me THE CENTER. Youth are at the CENTER of everything. They tell us what they need. Where they are in life. Where they are today. Everyone we serve has experienced trauma from violence, from poverty, from marginalization. At Story Stitchers, adult artists and youth collaborate to create new works of art. Creation and expression provide space for commonality and affection. Empowerment. Healing. Every photograph, every dance, every story processes some small piece of trauma. Youth reported that friends, the arts, leadership opportunities, access to mentors, and earning money are protective factors that help them make positive decisions. They told us, and we listened.

A Place for Me THE CENTER. A place for solace. Support. Contemplation. A place for self-expression.

A Place for Me THE CENTER. The interior spaces are being designed by me, the youth for youth.

“Story Stitchers and home? One and the same! Story Stitchers nurtures our best selves just as home does. Most of the youth who start off are lost, troubled or hurting and Story Stitchers helps ease those problems and guides them through a process of self-confidence building. Without Story Stitchers… without home, where would we be?”

Board of Directors

The key component to board membership at Saint Louis Story Stitchers is a passion for ART and creative youth development!

Download information and nomination application:

Board position description – Saint Louis Story Stitchers

Board application – Saint Louis Story Stitchers

Please send nomination application to Susan Colangelo at SusanC@storystitchers.org.


John and Yvette Dubinsky Family Charitable Foundation

 

 

 

As a full-service law firm with a long history in the St. Louis community, Greensfelder views civic involvement as fundamental to its core values.

Greensfelder is proud to support Saint Louis Story Stitchers and other organizations that work to improve and enrich lives in our community.

— Sponsors’ Testimonial — 

Dear Story Stitchers, My husband and I are happy to support all of the things you are doing. We are so proud of each of you and how you are making a difference in your own lives, in St. Louis and in the world. Keep up the good work!!  — Dr. and Mrs. Guy Berry

Saint Louis Story Stitchers Artists Collective thank the following for their support:

The 2013 Founding Collective members 

 

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Chris and Alia lead a discussion at the Grandel Theater with Terence Blanchard

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 — Testimonial —

“The St. Louis Story Stitchers organization does exactly what their name implies — mend, fix, make better! This is demonstrated in both their public performances and private gatherings. I am always amazed with their artistic approach in shedding light on, recommending a solution for and taking action steps to bring about a change for the betterment of St. Louis. I have observed firsthand how this unique technique transforms the program members into future leaders of tomorrow. They learn how to be their best persons who are challenged to make a difference by leaving a positive mark on society!”

Barbara A .Washington, CSEP

Freedman Family Fund 

Bruno David Gallery

The Law Clinic at Washington University

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St. Louis Mental Health Board

Patrick Henry Downtown Academy, St. Louis Public School District

Ready Readers

Life Foundation

Sam Fox School of Design and Visual Arts at Washington University

Des Lee Gallery

Stitchers Teens view the exhibition at Des Lee Gallery where the discussion will take place on Nov. 14th.
Stitchers Teens view the exhibition at Des Lee Gallery

Somewhere Studio

Jessica Colangelo and Charles Sharpless

The Shelter Project Design

Logo and Storefront Design

Nine Network’s NineLAB

Washington University in St. Louis

University of Missouri Extension Office’s St. Louis Storytelling Festival

University City Library

University of Missouri, St. Louis and KWMU

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 — Testimonial —

“The Story Stitchers are a fantastically talented collective of artists and youth in St. Louis working to document the communities they live in.”

Lisa Overholser, Director, Saint Louis Storytelling Festival

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Saint Louis Art Museum

St. Louis Art Museum's Youth Arts Day
St. Louis Art Museum’s Youth Arts Day

Contemporary Art Museum

KDHX

Third Baptist Church, Grand Center

Craft Alliance

 — Testimonial —

“Thank you so much for participating with your group as volunteers for the 2015 St Lou Fringe Festival. Your group proved to be invaluable to the success of the Festival! At our Fringe Family Days your group helped in the set up, production and strike of the event. They were instrumental in helping our team get the job done in a timely and professional manner. Your group also participated in the talent portion of the event with an AMAZING performance on our main stage! WOW! They were tremendous! Thank you again for your contribution and we look forward to seeing you again next year!”

Tracy Bono, Engagement Manager-Volunteer Services & Fringe Family, St. Lou Fringe

 

Washington University Police Department

Teens participate in a Bike Safety Workshop with Washington University Police at the Stitchers Storefront Studio, 616 N Skinker Blvd.

University of Missouri Extension Office’s Youth Futures

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Institute for Public Health at Washington University

 — Testimonial —
“Through my work with the Gun Violence Initiative, I have had the pleasure of witnessing the Saint Louis. Story Stitchers plan, develop, and execute events. Susan and K.P. have done an amazing job mentoring the Stitchers. The Stitchers are sending a powerful and raw message to our city that needs our unconditional support.”
Poli Rijos-Saitta, MSW, LCSW, Institute for Public Health, Washington University in St. Louis
11.15.2015--“Not another one!”, a videotaped conversation about gun violence with St. Louis teens and community leaders, was held at the Des Lee Gallery in St. Louis. The event was organized by the Institute for Public Health and St. Louis Story Stitchers. Photo by Whitney Curtis/WUSTL Photos
11.15.2015–“Not another one!”, a videotaped conversation about gun violence with St. Louis teens and community leaders, was held at the Des Lee Gallery in St. Louis. The event was organized by the Institute for Public Health and St. Louis Story Stitchers.
Photo by Whitney Curtis/WUSTL Photos
 — Testimonial —
“I have never seen the kind of interactions taking place in the Story Stitchers — where teens’ cultural exploration takes the form of art.
Story Stitchers is a one of a kind on the Delmar Loop, if not the entire city.
Where else could you find an arts center that addresses the kind of issues dealt with through the eyes of the youth in St. Louis?”
Jun Bae
KUUMBATV
Student at Washington University

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Board of Directors

Susan Colangelo, President  and Executive Director – Breona Butler, Vice President – Tausha Dirks, Secretary – Maggie Wu, CPA, Treasurer – Members At Large – Michelle Fleming – Chris Hansen – Keisa M. Johnson, Esq. – Ben Kessler – Hedy Lee, Ph.D. – Amanda Shields – Cassandria White – John A Wright, Jr.

 

Past Board Members 

Sarah Gaby, Ph.D., Secretary (2019-) Post Doctoral Fellow, Department of Sociology and Wiedenbaum Center on the Economy, Government and Policy, Washington University in St. Louis

Donna Campbell, Ph.D, (2016-present) Professor, Psychology and Special Education Program Coordinator, MA Special Education Webster University

Ebony Boyce Carter, MD, MPH (from 2015-present)  Assistant Professor, Division of Maternal Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Washington University School of Medicine

Mary Chandler, (2017-present), Contact Representative, IRS

Eric F. Kayira, Esq., Managing Member/Kayira Law, LLC

Chu Wanda Wang, (2019-) Staff Accountant, Martz & Wilson

Ellen Boyne, Client Relationship Manager Technology and Leadership Center at Washington University

Claire Byrne, Alumni & Development, Washington University

Mary McGinley, Washington University Campus Book Store

Gail Rock, M.A., M.Div., Special Education Teacher, retired

Devora Tulcensky, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist

Bradford N. Turner, Purchasing Manager, St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department

Charlie E. Bean, Dropout Recruiter/Athletic Director, Carnahan High School, St. Louis Public School

Waheed Abdul Muhaimin, BA, Vice President, Artist, Entrepreneur

Tim Portlock, Associate Professor of Art, Washington University in St. Louis

Aaries Wadsworth, BHS, BJC Medical Group, Patient Account Representative

Stitchers Teen Council members at the final public presentation of BIG HUG in a Bag, a St. Louis Mental Health Board $1,000 Youth Mini-Grant, July 25, 2015.
Stitchers Teen Council members at the final public presentation of BIG HUG in a Bag, a St. Louis Mental Health Board $1,000 Youth Mini-Grant, July 25, 2015.