Students investigate how people, places, African American history, and current injustice shape their identities and emerging roles as changemakers. Through Stories in Motion, they analyze headlines, historical responses, root causes, and alumni stories, then record one idea that shifted their thinking and one next step for the week. With alumni and NYC DOE Central Office staff serving as process thought partners, students create and revise vision board self-portraits through checklist-based peer critique focused on identity, values, strengths, contributions, and connections. At the Stories That Shape Us Showcase, students present one-minute stories to peers and school-community guests, then explain a design choice and identify a question they want to explore this year.

Students will analyze current headlines, historical changemakers, and alumni story clips during Stories in Motion to identify patterns of injustice, response, and root causes through evidence-based cause-and-effect connections. Students will use alumni and NYC DOE staff as thought partners, reflecting on one idea that shifted their thinking about identity and one action they can take this week. Students will create and revise a vision board self-portrait through partner feedback focused on identity, values, strengths, contributions, and connections to people, places, and African American history. Students will present one meaningful quote, image, symbol, or design choice to peers and school-community guests, then explain their choice and name a question they want to explore through a conference or audio recording.

Students will create Stories in Motion notes, a team debrief, an evidence-based cause-and-effect root-cause map, and a changemaking moves inventory. They will develop a changemaker identity map and complete a two-part alumni-panel reflection naming one idea that shifted their thinking about identity and one next step they can take that week, using alumni and NYC DOE partners as thought partners during the process. After partner conferences focused on identity, values, contributions, and connections, students will revise a draft into a final vision-board self-portrait combining symbols, images, words, colors, strengths, and the change they want to see. At the Stories That Shape Us Showcase, students will pair their portrait with a meaningful quote, image, or symbol, share a one-minute explanation with peers and school community guests, and complete a brief conference or audio reflection about one design choice and a question they want to explore this year.

Begin with “Stories in Motion,” a gallery walk featuring curated current headlines, historical Black changemaker snapshots, and short alumni story clips. At each station, students note the injustice, who was affected, the response, possible root causes, and connections to their identities or values. Teams identify a pattern across past and present, then build an evidence-based cause-and-effect connection. Students close with “One ripple I wish existed in the world is…” and learn that alumni and NYC DOE Central Office partners will offer feedback during the creative process rather than attend the final showcase.

Host a Stories That Shape Us Showcase for classmates, teachers, and other school community guests. Students display their vision board self-portraits with one quote, image, or symbol tied to their identity and speak for one minute about how a person, place, or history influenced their thinking and the ripple they hope to create. Guests circulate gallery-style and leave a written connection or question for each student. Offer live, prerecorded audio, or partner-presented formats so every student can participate meaningfully.