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Join us on July 17, 2025 for
Stories for Freedom
Introducing a new cohort of TMI Project workshop leaders!
I believe in the power of storytelling to create transformation—not just for the storyteller, but for the entire community. Conversations rooted in truth and vulnerability have the ability to heal, challenge perspectives, and inspire action. - Shaniqua Bowden, storyteller
I believe in the power of storytelling to create transformation—not just for the storyteller, but for the entire community. Conversations rooted in truth and vulnerability have the ability to heal, challenge perspectives, and inspire action. - Shaniqua Bowden, storyteller
WHERE: Senate Garage, 4 N Front St, Kingston, NY 12401 (and online via livestream)
WHEN: Thursday, July 17, 2025
In person Freedom Fair 6pm-7pm, Performance 7pm-8pm EST
Livestream: 7pm-8pm EST
COST: $25 Suggested donation
RSVP: Required for in-person and live stream registration
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
This special edition of Stories for Freedom will introduce our community to the incredible individuals who make up TMI Project’s next cohort of true storytelling workshop leaders. Our workshop leaders are not only skilled facilitators - they are community members, activists, and artists with embodied experience of TMI Project’s unique storytelling methodology.
Stories for Freedom is inspired by practices of liberation that have emerged from Black and Indigenous communities, and aims to challenge us all to take bold action in the disruption of systemic oppression. We believe deeply in the power of storytelling to liberate both the speaker and those who listen.
Our newest cohort of storytellers and workshop leaders are a dynamic group of people from across the country as well as our own homebase in the Hudson Valley region of New York. The group is composed of authors, visual artists, activists, educators, musicians, and scholars, all of whom use storytelling in their work to build a world where we all are free to speak our truths.
True storytelling workshops are the cornerstone of our work at TMI Project. We believe that those who lead this work must be deeply rooted in it - by personally experiencing the transformative power of crafting a true “TMI” story and performing it on stage themselves.
Having spent 10 weeks in training, our future workshop leaders are ready to courageously perform their personal narratives and step into leadership to support others who want to share their stories.
I deeply value the true stories shared by others through their TMI performances. They have kindled my aspiration for helping to create an inclusive, supportive and empowering environment where the Latinx local community can share their own stories, feel safe and strengthen their sense of belonging in the larger local community. - Angélica Medaglia-Paljor, storyteller
I deeply value the true stories shared by others through their TMI performances. They have kindled my aspiration for helping to create an inclusive, supportive and empowering environment where the Latinx local community can share their own stories, feel safe and strengthen their sense of belonging in the larger local community. - Angélica Medaglia-Paljor, storyteller
Meet the Storytellers
Kat Samedova
Pronouns: She/Her
“I've always been passionate about advocacy, and my time working with the TMI Project and Period Power made me realize my true potential. I couldn't think of a group I'd rather work with.”
Achiro Olwoch
Pronouns: She/Her
“I joined the Workshop Leader Training program to refine my ability to create engaging, inclusive learning spaces where participants feel empowered to share their voices. This program offers the perfect opportunity to grow as an educator while fostering meaningful connections through storytelling.”
Lily Mueller
Pronouns: They/She/He
“Stories, and storytelling, have saved and changed my life a million times over. The ability to write, and therefore process, the events of my life have allowed me a greater access to joy and connection than I ever imagined possible. Supporting others in their work to tell their stories is a privilege, and a challenge, that I'm so grateful to have the chance to dive into through TMI Project.”
Tyler Epps
Pronouns: He/Him
“I have wanted to work with TMI Project ever since I really became aware of what was happening here. I joined the Workshop Leader Training Program because I want to work with the wonderful people here, and offer what I can into that mix. It's a beautiful privilege that I am not taking for granted.”
Rachel Fulginiti
Pronouns: She/Her
“I'm passionate about truth telling, building community and sharing stories as an act of resistance. I've seen the incredible work TMI Project does and the impact it makes on lives. I'm excited to enter this new chapter of my creative life with TMI Project.”
Shaun Gills
Pronouns: She/Her
“I really value the structure TMI provides for writers and creatives, allowing the attendee to fully immerse themselves in their own stories and discover something new. I am appreciative of the opportunity to be a student again, while also gaining the tools to help others.”
Meghna Bhat
Pronouns: She/Her
“With a strong commitment to trauma-informed and anti-oppressive values, I am eager to use storytelling to amplify the voices of underrepresented groups, including survivors of gender violence and marginalized communities. Becoming a TMI Project Workshop Leader will allow me to cultivate the cultural responsiveness and values needed to create inclusive and impactful narratives.”
Angelica Medaglia
Pronouns: She/Her/Ella
“I deeply value the true stories shared by others through their TMI performances. They have kindled my aspiration for helping to create an inclusive, supportive and empowering environment where the Latinx local community can share their own stories, feel safe, and strengthen their sense of belonging in the larger local community.”
Sharece Johnson
Pronouns: She/Her
“I'm excited to be in a learning space and also looking forward to facilitating and holding space for people to be their authentic selves.”
Lex Catania
Pronouns: They/He
“I joined the TMI Workshop Leader Training because I thought it would be fun, and also offer a space to learn to do deep transformational work with a lot of people.”
Shaniqua Bowden
Pronouns: She/Her
“I joined the Workshop Leader Training program because I believe in the power of storytelling to create transformation—not just for the storyteller, but for the entire community. Conversations rooted in truth and vulnerability have the ability to heal, challenge perspectives, and inspire action.”
Shai Kuper
Pronouns: He/They
“I joined TMI Project’s Workshop Leader Training to enhance my creative expressions with other like minded folks, build a network of story tellers within my communities, and to learn and unlearn mine and others' lived experiences.”
Workshop Leaders
Dara Lurie
Pronouns: She/Her
“I jumped at the opportunity to participate as a storyteller in TMI Project’s first workshop and performance of #BlackStoriesMatter in early 2017 and, later that year, as a TMI Project teacher-trainee. I can’t think of more important work than helping people tell their true stories. If you think it’s simple, you should try it sometime.”
Perla Ayora
Pronouns: She/Her
“We immigrants have stories that have been quiet for a long time and now there is finally a safe space where they can be heard. An immigrant has a lot to say about discrimination and culture but also about values, family, learning and justice. Writing your story brings you closer to freedom.”
Raine Grayson
Pronouns: He/Him
“TMI Project does the exact kind of work that the world needs. From the moment I learned about them I wanted to contribute to the way they spread outstanding courage, community, and kindness. TMI Project makes the world a more honest, open place and I am honored to be given the chance to help foster and facilitate their mission.”
Do you want to join TMI Project in amplifying the stories of these activists and changemakers? Join the Stories For Freedom Support Team Today!
S U P P O R T U S
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