How might we build empathetic organizations through storytelling? This is the central question we address in this workshop. By building on the work of empathy researchers, organizational development consultants, and cultural strategists, we present a concrete framework that outlines
the philosophy, key definitions, strategies, and tools needed to build the empathic capacity of an organization.

The workshop starts by acknowledging the current context of racial inequity across the U.S. as well as the potential for transformational change through storytelling and empathy. Then, we explore key definitions and a conceptualization of empathy through an institutional lens and identify specific institutional structures, practices, and processes to foster organizational empathy through storytelling. Workshop participants will spend time assessing and discussing their organizations’ current empathetic efforts using our Story-Centered Empathy Assessment. Participants will gain specific tools to build the empathetic capacity of their organizations in three core-domain areas: Community Connections, Co-Creation, and Cultural Equity.

Will this Workshop be Recorded? No.

Intended Audience: This workshop is appropriate for library staff at any level or position.

About the Instructor: Luis Ortega is the director and founder of Storytellers for Change. Over the last fourteen years, Luis has worked with youth, educators and organizations across the country to center historically unheard narratives and employ storytelling as a strategic approach to build empathetic, inclusive and equitable communities. Luis’ work has touched thousands of lives, and been featured at over 500 events and seminars across the country, including Harvard DACA Seminar, ArtPlace America National Summit, and HBO’s “Where Do You Exist?” podcast. He is a graduate of the University of Washington and is a W.K. Kellogg Foundation Community Leadership Network Fellow. Watch Luis's TEDx talk: Inspire a Movement of Possibility.