Why Are Stories Important?
“A story is but a series of random experiences articulated in an organized fashion; the words and the messenger are what actually make it wonderful.”
The value of an asset is related to the demand for that asset and the supply of that asset. When demand increases and supply decreases, the value skyrockets! Your story is your greatest asset because of its value. The supply of your story is incredibly low (there’s only one person with your story: you) and the demand for your story is incredibly high, especially for Black stories. Black stories inspire everything from food to fashion to finances; the entire world of is in some way influenced by a beautiful and bold Black story. The relevance and prevalence of Black stories is why I’m so passionate about storytelling.
Powerpreneurship is the art of strategically leveraging the power in one’s story.
So often, people feel as though they have no power, or they lack the power needed to change their circumstances. From issues on the job to problems in the home, many people fall victim to their situations because they don’t believe they have the power to take control. Systems like racism, sexism and capitalism are real and disproportionately impact the people behind the beautiful and bold Black stories the world has come to love (and co-opt and appropriate); but The Power still lies with The People. No matter how racist the democracy, sexist the system, or crippling the capitalist, The Power comes from The People. The People have The Power!
The Power lies with The People because The People can communicate, even across difference and division. And while 90% of communication is nonverbal, most folks spend more time talking than listening. The time we spend talking—using words that have the power to break curses, build wealth and bridge gaps or break bridges, build curses and inhibit wealth from being generated—is time we’ve spent exercising our power. I challenge you to think about all the people, places and things you communicate to & through: do they deserve access to the POWER in your words?
Your words have power, and your story is filled with words and that’s why your story is powerful! Do not forget your power; your story is important because it has power. The Power lies with The People because The People have stories, and those stories are filled with words that have meaning. Make your life count by respecting the weight of your words and never forgetting your power!
