Storytelling Through Music
Renovare has been collaborating all year with New City Cleveland on ‘Stories from Our Streets.' This Documentary Songwriting project focuses on the Buckeye-Woodhill neighborhood on Cleveland’s east side. We’re grateful to New City’s Executive Director Leah Ross (pictured below) for partnering with us on this endeavor, and for the reflections she shares below.
Neighborhood safety is a big topic in Buckeye-Woodhill. Last week I was talking to a community development partner about safety and he said something uncommon but special that I want to share here: Storytelling is an element of establishing neighborhood safety.
How could storytelling and safety be connected? The way we share our experiences in community builds connections. Strong connections foster trust. Trust is an asset that dignifies us to one another. And dignity is an antidote for violence.
Because of the powerful storytelling component, the ‘Stories from Our Streets’ project with Renovare Music is a transformative journey. Not just for the individuals involved, but for the entire community it serves, transforming the community one step at a time towards neighborhood safety. As I reflect on this collaborative project, I believe in the impact it has on fostering those valuable connections, amplifying voices, and catalyzing positive change.
Renovare with Jackie Dixon (left) and Denise Moore (right), two of our co-songwriters.
At its core, ‘Stories from Our Streets’ is a platform for storytelling through music, where individuals from diverse backgrounds are invited to share their narratives, struggles, triumphs, and dreams from lives lived right here in Buckeye-Woodhill. Together, we set out to create a space where every voice is valued and every story is celebrated.
One of the most striking aspects of this project is its ability to break down barriers and negative perceptions, while being really authentic about life in our community. Two of the stories come from women that I’ve worked closely with in the neighborhood block association. They share candidly about the difficulties they were handed when inheriting houses in Buckeye-Woodhill. The challenges around safety, and even their own perceptions about neighbors as troublemakers. Yet, instead of disconnecting, these women connected even more deeply to the pulse of Buckeye-Woodhill and, by showing up, have affected real, positive and lasting change.
Renovare writing a DocSong with Jerrod Amir Shakir.
None of us are council members or millionaire investors, but I believe their stories will bring change. ‘Stories from Our Streets’ serves as a platform for their frequently marginalized voices to be heard and validated. Too often, these voices are silenced or overlooked. But through this project, they are given a spotlight to share a valuable perspective. Through music, we find a common language that transcends differences in age, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and life experiences. Whether it was through songwriting workshops, community concerts, or recording sessions, participants have the opportunity to connect cross-culturally with Rebecca and Lalia on a deeper level, maybe even forging bonds that extend far beyond the confines of the project itself. We sometimes hear it said, “To love your neighbor you must know your neighbor.” From stories of resilience in the face of adversity to tales of hope and redemption, each narrative served as a powerful reminder of the strength and resilience that exist within our communities.
Renovare writing a Documentary Song with Denise Moore.
‘Stories from Our Streets’ will leave a lasting legacy that illuminates the tender dance between beauty and brokenness in our community. By documenting these stories through music, we may even create a living archive that will serve as a source of inspiration and empowerment for generations to come. Whether it's through the recorded songs or the multimedia dynamic of songs and photos, these stories will continue to inspire and uplift, reminding us of the power of storytelling music to heal, unite, and empower residents.