During the COVID-19 pandemic, public spaces have shuttered, but the need for stories of perseverance is greater than ever, and so Suitcase Stories has taken to the screen for virtual storytelling and community conversations.
“Suitcase Stories is a program we launched to explore migration topics, particularly refugee and immigrant experiences, through the art of storytelling,” said Cheryl Hamilton, creator and director of Suitcase Stories, during one of the online broadcasts.
The Suitcase Stories Conversation Series hosts a live online conversation between Hamilton and a previous Suitcase Stories performer.
In an interview with Chris Ko, a Suitcase Stories performer and IINE employee based in Lowell, Hamilton mentioned that Ko was a renowned pastry chef in the office.
The organization has also launched the Suitcase Stories Circle, an online program accessed via a membership fee, which connects members with storytellers through interviews, discussion resources and information about fostering more inclusive communities generally and during the pandemic.