Local creatives launch audio tour of Norfolk, highlighting African American stories

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) – Two local creatives are set to launch an audio tour for the City of Norfolk, highlighting the African American stories within the city.

The launch of Truth Be Told: Norfolk, the second of a four-city audio tour/podcast, will kick off with a listening event at the E.L. Hamm Fine Arts Building at NSU starting at 5:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 29. The first city in the tour was Virginia Beach.

The audio tour, created by Hannah Sobol and Jackie Glass, is sponsored by the Virginia African American Cultural Center (VAACC), which helped to approve a $152,000 subgrant from a Virginia Tourism Corporation. The grant allows Sobol and Glass to travel across Virginia to share the stories of the Commonwealth.

Norfolk Mayor Kenny Alexander will also be in attendance, sharing a firsthand experience of how racism and classism have influenced neighborhoods in Norfolk.

“The power of storytelling has great potential for shifting culture, mindsets and creating a common framework where transformation can occur in local and state public policy making,” Glass said.

“Facts do not change minds, but stories do,” Sobel said. “Through shared lived experiences over several generations, we invite our community to understand the issues of systemic racism, connecting to things that are universal, and understanding experiences that differ from their own. This foundation of understanding is essential before we can move forward.”

Those interested in attending the event are encouraged to register .

For more information on Truth Be Told, click here .

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