@Univ of Memphis: Storytelling for health with high school students

Storytelling isn’t just for novels or movies — it’s a public health superpower.

I co-led an interactive workshop with Elisabeth Wilhelm as part of the EMPOWER Initiative at the University of Memphis School of Public Health, working with high school students who are curious about careers in public health.

Together, explored how storytelling can do what data alone can’t:
✅ Break down stigma
✅ Build relationships and trust
✅ Make science human and relatable
✅ Inspire change

Using real-world examples from Elvis and polio, to Henrietta Lacks and TikTok hashtag#storytime, we guided students in crafting their own narratives to connect, educate, and empower.