What is Community Voices for Action?
The purpose of Community Voices for Action is to create a space for communities working collectively to address environmental injustice through storytelling. By sharing their experiences, they can inspire and inform other communities facing similar injustices. We can all learn from their success and create new narratives that promote equal protection from environmental hazards for all communities. The AAMC Center for Health Justice is seeking up to five collaborators to tell their stories.
What will the collaborators do?
Working with the Center’s storytelling team, each collaborator will share their story through one of four storytelling mediums. Up to five collaborators will be chosen, and production for each story will be scheduled in one three-month period between June 2024 and June 2025. The medium and production period for each story will be chosen in collaboration with the Center, and the collaborator will maintain rights to use the final product after the project period has ended. Applicants will be asked to rank the medium options in order of preference during the application process.
Who is eligible for this project?
Applicants must be a 501c(3) nonprofit organization or an individual who has been working with their community on an environmental justice issue for at least one year and is based in the United States (or U.S. territories). The Center is especially interested in organizations that would not otherwise have the resources to share their story on a local and/or national level.
What are the important dates and deadlines for this project?
| Date | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Application opens | April 1, 2024 |
| Application closes | May 6, 2024, 11:59 p.m. ET |
| Informational webinar | April 17, 2024, 4 p.m. ET |
| Storytelling project production period | June 2024 to June 2025. Each story will be scheduled for three months during this period for production. |
What are the application questions?
- Please describe the size of your organization or initiative (i.e., number of full-time staff).
- Tell us about your/your organization’s environmental justice work. How long have you been doing it?
- How do you collaborate and partner with your community in your environmental justice work? Describe some of your most important partnerships.
- What story do you want to tell through this project? What was the environmental justice issue? How did it arise? What did your community do in response, and what have been the results of those actions?
- Please rank the storytelling mediums you are interested in using for this opportunity (short video, online photography exhibit, story map, virtual story slam), and describe why. The final choice of the medium will be a shared decision with the Center once collaborators are chosen.
- Do you require technical assistance (i.e., help accessing technology or other resources) to complete your project?
- Once completed, how will you spread the word about your story? Who can assist in garnering local or national attention for your story?
- Can you, as an individual or organization, commit to spending five hours per week for three months on your storytelling project?
- Are you an elected official and/or running for elected office, or does your organization or group directly/indirectly support or advocate for a political campaign?
- Applicants may optionally upload supporting documents and links that demonstrate established relationships with the communities you or your organization serves.
How can I get help with my application or ask questions?
The AAMC Center for Health Justice will host an informational webinar for applicants on Wednesday, April 17, 2024, at 4 p.m. ET. Participants will have an opportunity to ask questions and learn more about how organizations and individuals can apply. A recording of the webinar will be posted online. Contact the Center with any questions (please include “Community Voices for Action” in the subject line).