Mass Humanities captures region’s voices in new project

Date: 10/26/2023

Mass Humanities has launched a unique audio storytelling initiative in collaboration with New England Public Media and PRX to celebrate diverse voices in the community.

Brian Boyles, executive director of Mass Humanities, highlighted the project’s origins. “This is a partnership we’ve worked on throughout 2023,” he said. “It’s a result of a strategic plan we launched in 2021. We believe that the organizations we support by the region deserve the opportunity to have their stories shared.”

Selected based on rigorous criteria that sought to encapsulate a cross-section of Western Massachusetts, the organizations involved range from arts entities and human service providers to history museums.

“We wanted to ensure a diversity of voices,” Boyles explained.

The undertaking aims to provide deeper insights into the rich and multifaceted culture of Western Massachusetts. Boyles emphasized that the project showcases the area as a “vibrant, complicated place.”

He added, “The humanities allowed us to see that in a way that people can build off, use for civic engagement, community planning and importantly, give us a better sense of who lives here.”

Among the various narratives spotlighted through this initiative, projects shed light on the experiences of migrant workers in the valley, the lesbian population in Northampton’s history, and the Black residents of Holyoke.

“Each of these organizations serves multiple communities, but they do look for ways to surface narratives that haven’t been out there before,” Boyles noted.

PRX, known for producing renowned podcasts like “This American Life,” will bring its expertise to the table. With an office in Boston, PRX’s role involves equipping community storytellers of all levels with the necessary training.

Boyles shared optimism about the accessibility of the content. “We hope that this content will end up on public media,” he remarked, emphasizing the project’s dual objective of amplifying marginalized voices and supporting local organizations in honing their storytelling capabilities.

Boyles sees a promising trajectory for this storytelling approach, especially in challenging times.
This endeavor is one step in a broader mission to foster unity, understanding, and collaboration within and beyond the community.

Individuals are encouraged to check NEPM and participating organization websites for more information or to access the audio stories.

The project’s larger mission goes beyond just sharing stories. It’s about crafting a comprehensive Western Massachusetts narrative highlighting overlooked histories and diverse perspectives.

“It’s under development,” Boyles said when discussing the project’s status. He drew attention to some of the narratives already taking shape, including stories about “the experiences of migrant workers in the valley, the lesbian population and history of Northampton, and the Black residents of Holyoke.”

These diverse stories don’t just come from the minds of a few. They’re being curated and crafted in partnership with various local organizations, many of which are led by passionate community members who know their narratives best.

For Mass Humanities, the aim isn’t just to tell stories but to do so equitably.

“For us, the partnership is a collaboration where they get to drive which stories their organization wants to share,” Boyles noted. This unique approach distinguishes their initiative, prioritizing community-led narratives over externally produced content.

Furthermore, the project exists in collaboration. It is part of a significant push by Mass Humanities to promote civic engagement, community planning, and a better understanding of Western Massachusetts’ diverse demographics.

Boyles believes the humanities allow communities in the region “to be better understood” and to foster a sense of belonging among its residents.

The project’s choice to partner with PRX, an organization with a reputation for producing and training in top-tier audio storytelling, further emphasizes the quality and scope the initiative aims for.

Boyles highlighted PRX’s credentials, noting their work on internationally recognized podcasts and their experience “working with community storytellers of all levels.”

As the project progresses, the emphasis remains on access. While the aspiration is to have content broadcast on public media, Boyles also envisions the grantees using the content for their outreach efforts.

Boyles was optimistic, not just for the growth of this initiative but for the potential of humanities projects in general. He sees these projects as “where people can come together and learn from each other,” especially during challenging times.

Boyles restated a commitment to amplifying marginalized voices from street corners to boardrooms and classrooms.