A beautiful reflection on "The Power of Story" by Cincinnati Youth Poet Laureate, Rimel Kamran

One of the hallmark achievements of an amazing year that includes a new building, new staff, and new programs, is the naming of our inaugural Cincinnati Youth Poet Laureate - Rimel Kamran!

As part of our Power of Story summer giving campaign, we asked Rimel to share with us what "The Power of Story" means to her:

"The power of story rests in the heart of vulnerability and community. Each individual bears a story, aching to be heard and to be recognized. Our stories are revelations of our human experiences; they are woven with the threads of pain, love, fear, and grief. Stories are powerful because they foster connection and plant the seeds for community to blossom. Stories allow us to recognize how similar we all are at the most fundamental level of life, from the blood that flows in our veins to the oxygen held in our lungs. Despite differences in race, faith, gender, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, we are all one. We all are united by our common and shared experiences of life. I believe that stories also challenge us to practice empathy and be willing to sharpen and mold our perspectives as we listen to one another's experiences. From stories, births humanity and meaning as well. Our own stories and the stories of others are windows to recognizing how humanity is both broken and imperfect, but through taking the time to engage in conversation with one another and by listening to each other’s voices and calls for justice, we can mend humanity’s wounds and create something beautiful.

A space like WordPlay offers the opportunity for youth to explore their own stories through the process of creative writing. Through creative writing, whether it be poetry or short stories, words challenge us to understand our own identity and the greater community. WordPlay provides a safe and empowering space where youth can discover how they wish to pen the pages of their lives to leave a positive footprint on Earth and to better the world we inherit. Wordplay encourages youth to celebrate their voices, their stories, and their identities with their communities to transform ignorance and indifference into healing love and active empathy."