Building a Grant-Funded Project from the Ground Up - Part 2
This week, we're into communications...the Rooted way!
Communication Foundations
The more we share this project with our communities (that’s you!), the deeper we delve into finding language that feels truly aligned with the heart of our work. At the same time, we’re learning how to convey, clearly and concisely, what this project will actually create.
Communicating effectively while inviting people to connect to this work is an art—and a science. Yet the tactics of sales and persuasion often feel antithetical to the deeper connections we want to foster through Rooted Resilience. So, come with us as we set aside rigid, formulaic approaches and root into something more organic, grounded in the natural cycles of creativity, community, and reflection. We fully expect the language of this project to shift and evolve while staying true to its essence.
For those who are tuning in for the first time, or if you’re already on this journey with us, here’s our current description of what Rooted Resilience is shaping up to be:
Rooted Resilience is a digital archive dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories of 2SLGBTQIA+ creatives currently living and working in Western Massachusetts. This archive will become the foundation for a podcast series and community dialogue events, both set to launch in Spring 2025.
This archive of narratives is more than just a repository; it’s a living foundation for understanding the unique experiences, challenges, and contributions of the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in Western Massachusetts. These artists and creatives are actively shaping the cultural landscape of this region, each narrative capturing a thread of resilience, creativity, and identity that weaves through our communities.
In building Rooted Resilience, we aim to do more than tell stories. We’re preserving histories that might otherwise go undocumented, inviting current and future generations to engage with and learn from these narratives. And in a world where histories of marginalized voices are so often overlooked, we hold this project as a counterpoint—a space where these stories are valued and celebrated.
Where We’re Headed
As we move closer to our launch, we’re excited about the potential this archive has to inspire. From the podcast episodes to the community dialogues, each element of Rooted Resilience is crafted to invite participation, reflection, and connection. We want these stories to be more than background noise—they should be part of the collective heartbeat of Western Massachusetts, a reminder that we’re all here together, learning and growing.
In the months ahead, we’ll be sharing updates, insights from our creative process, and maybe even some sneak peeks into the interviews and stories we’re preserving. This journey is about holding space for the voices of our 2SLGBTQIA+ and QTPOC creatives and inviting our broader community to listen, reflect, and celebrate their contributions.
Join Us in Building Rooted Resilience
If this mission resonates with you, consider joining us—whether that’s through a donation, a share, or simply following our progress. Together, we can create a lasting archive that honors the richness and diversity of 2SLGBTQIA+ lives and experiences in this region. There’s something truly special here, and we’re so grateful to have you along for this journey.
✨ To support Rooted Resilience, visit our crowdfunding page, subscribe for updates, and spread the word! ✨
We want to hear your stories of queer, creative resilience.
Who would we be, were it not for each other?
In a world that often tries to silence and scatter us, we are here in this region - vibrant, dynamic, and authentically ourselves, in all of the mess that it is to be human in these times.
We know there are magical things you are thinking, doing, and saying, that we have never engaged with. We know there are more narratives to be shared than what we can fit into the first season of our project. We know that your voice belongs in our shared collective history.
Add your voice to a new digital archive dedicated to preserving and sharing the histories of contemporary 2SLGBTQIA+ creative individuals in Western Massachusetts.
Email us a voice memo or written note at rootedresiliencepod@gmail.com or comment on this post in response to any of these queries:
When you think about 2SLGBTQIA+ narratives being preserved today, what do you hope future generations will take away from hearing these stories?
What do you, as a 2SLGBTQIA+ individual, need to hear from the narratives of those in our community?
What do you want to share with those in our community about you and how you are creating and rooting in these times?
Voice memos and writing not your thing? Don’t fret - we’re working on a schedule of community events where we’ll be available to connect with you in-person!
Leave us a comment - we’d love to hear from you! - Luc & M :)
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