This Oklahoma nonprofit helps people from all backgrounds share their stories and work together

A local nonprofit is on a mission to make Oklahoma a better place for one race — the human race.

That's how anthropologist Suzette Chang describes the goal of her organization called Thick Descriptions, which became a nonprofit almost 10 years ago. Chang said the nonprofit's name is a term used by another anthropologist, Clifford Geertz.

Geertz described the practice of "thick descriptions" as a way of providing cultural context and meaning to human actions and behavior, as opposed to "thin descriptions," which are factual accounts without any interpretation. Chang, 51, said Geertz emphasized the importance of considering why people behave as they do, what they are trying to express or achieve, and for whom.

More: Former teacher's mission to educate continues with free books for kids

Chang, a California native who is Thick Descriptions' founder and chief executive officer, said the nonprofit applies anthropology in everyday conversations. She said her group help people see that it's important to question some traditional practices, particularly those that occur "because we've always done it this way." Chang also said there's a need for cultural context in understanding human behavior and that's where Thick Descriptions comes in. The nonprofit creates spaces for people to have difficult conversations, works to involve adults in public education and hosts opportunities for young people to ask questions and expand their horizons.

What does Thick Descriptions offer? STEAM workshops, a podcast and public events

Chang said the organization hosts three main activities, including STEAM projects and workshops that offer learning opportunities for students to interact with science, technology, engineering, anthropology and math.

One STEAM project held earlier this year brought young people together with older adults living in assisted living centers. Chang said the young people were given opportunities to ask the older adults about their lives and both groups came away enlightened and happy. She said the program, called "Check Out a Human." was funded through a United Way of Central Oklahoma Wayfinder Grant and from the Oklahoma City Community Foundation.

"It confirmed that seasoned adults have a story to tell," she said.

The second offering is a podcast called "Elephant in the Room-Unboxed," which focuses on discussion of various topics, often those issues that people don't often talk about for different reasons.

More: Nonprofit offers help and hope to abuse survivors through career training

Chang said the final Thick Descriptions program is Crown Teas, which are family-friendly events held in public libraries, museums and other spaces across Oklahoma. These events are based on a book called "Crowns," which celebrates Black women's tradition of wearing hats to church.

The Crown Teas have been held all over the Oklahoma City metro area, plus other places like Enid, Altus, Wewoka, Boley and Clearview. Chang said these events have been expanded to include women of all races, men and children who wish to visit with others to explore commonalities and have meaningful conversations.

And that's what Thick Descriptions is all about — conversations, Chang said.

"When we talk to each other, we tend to learn that we are more alike than we are different," she said.

To learn more

For more information about Thick Descriptions, call 405-397-0584, go to https://www.thickdescriptions.org/ or the group's Facebook page.

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: This Oklahoma nonprofit helps people from all backgrounds share their stories and work together