Art, Activism, and Personal Narratives with Jennifer Baker

Restorative Works!

Claire de Mézerville López welcomes Jennifer Baker to the Restorative Works! Podcast. Jennifer joins us and delves into the concept of narrative change, exploring how storytelling—through media, art, and learning—can drive long-term social change. Jennifer highlights her work with the Narrative Initiative, a nonprofit that amplifies community-driven stories, ensuring those impacted have the agency to share their truths. She invites us to explore the power of artivism, a fusion of art and activism, and how it serves as a tool to engage with our difficult realities and prompt deeper self and social reflection. Jennifer touches on the intersectionality of justice movements, the importance of patience in the pursuit of solutions, and the emotional process of telling personal stories. Jennifer is an author, editor, writing instructor, and creator of the Minorities in Publishing podcast. She’s been a recipient of NYSCA/NYFA (New York State Council on the Arts and New York Foundation for the Arts) and Queens Council on the Arts grants, a 2024 Axinn Writing Award, and was named the Publishers Weekly Star Watch Super Star in 2019. She edited the short story anthology Everyday People: The Color of Life (2018) and is the author of Forgive Me Not (2023) a 2023 Los Angeles Times Book Prize finalist, an NYPL 2023 Best Book for Teens, and 2023 Best of the Best by the BCALA. Tune in to hear more of Jennifer’s valuable insights into guiding individuals through the complexities of self-expression, healing, and building community connections through art and narrative.