AfterDark: For The Culture

Our current Brave Space programming is “AfterDark: For the Culture”, a series presented in collaboration with HYFIN. Each evening starts with a pre-Slam activity such as an affinity group storytelling workshop (for BIPOC folks only), or a DJ set (open to all attendees). The main event of is a StorySlam that centers Black and Brown voices onstage. Each Slam features several pre-confirmed features as well as spots open to BIPOC attendees who want to share a personal story or spoken word piece. After each Slam, we extend the reach of stories shared through media pieces (YouTube playlist). 

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Research that inspires this project

While many elements of this effort were designed in response to community feedback, our work also takes inspiration from research on Race-Based Traumatic Stress (RBTS), which refers to experiencing racial discrimination as psychological trauma. While RBTS has been linked to poor mental health outcomes, active coping strategies like problem-solving and seeking support (vs passive strategies like “accept it as a fact of life” and “keep it to yourself”) can buffer the effects of RBTS. 

In response, Ex Fabula creates spaces where Black and Brown community members can speak their truths, educate others, and support their mental health – while also raising awareness of the access barriers that exist. Incidentally, we are always clear that our events may feel therapeutic but they are not therapy; we share information about 988 and local mental health resources in workshops, onstage, and on media pieces whenever appropriate.

Some of these spaces are affinity spaces for people of a shared identity to meet. BIPOC affinity spaces are especially important, as noted in this blog from two Ex Fabula storytelling coaches, because they reduce stereotype threat, a psychological barrier to vulnerable self-expression born from experiencing bigotry, specifically racism. “Stereotype threat is being at risk of confirming, as self-characteristic, a negative stereotype about one’s group” (Steele & Aronson, 1995).

Thank you to the Funders & Partners who make AfterDark: for the Culture possible!

HYFIN & Radio Milwaukee               Ex Fabula members

Greater Milwaukee Foundation: Marvin W. Haesle Fund for the Arts

The AB Korkor Foundation for Mental Health

  Herzfeld Foundation              Bert L. & Patricia S. Steigleder Charitable Trust

Another Dope Production               In Community              We Energies Foundation

Select funders and partners for previous years of Brave Space programming

CAMPAC               Charles E. Kubly Foundation               Wisconsin Arts Board

Wisconsin Humanities               Milwaukee County Office of Equity               Anonymous Family Foundation