On Saturday, September 14, national nonprofit StoryCorps officially launched its newest initiative, Brightness in Black, in Philadelphia.

The Brightness in Black initiative was launched to collect and amplify stories that showcase the nuance, complexity, and richness of the Black experience.

The overarching goal of the initiative is to challenge the pervasive narratives of Black life in America that are often limited and shortsighted.

“For too long, Black stories have largely been depicted as one-dimensional and over-simplified,” said Sandra Clark, StoryCorps CEO. “Brightness in Black encourages the Black community nationwide to challenge and reclaim this narrative by sharing their personal stories of triumph, challenges, resilience, and gratitude.”

Cherri Gregg, who hosted the Brightness in Black launch in Philadelphia at the Kimmel Center, highlighted that the initiative will go a long way toward collecting stories in a way that will help Black people “own our narrative.”

She added that it will also “lift up the beauty, the joy, the power, the pride, and the community that we all know is part of the Black experience.”

Those who participate in the Brightness in Black initiative are able to record a conversation with a loved one, which can then be preserved in the Library of Congress.

Learn more about the Brightness in Black initiative and its importance to the Black community at StoryCorps.

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