
— 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
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 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.
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

— 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
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

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
— 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
Saint Louis Art Museum

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
University of Missouri Extension Office’s Youth Futures
Institute for Public Health at Washington University

Photo by Whitney Curtis/WUSTL Photos
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
