How Stories Of Underrepresented Voices Drive Social Impact?

As the raging pandemic is pulling the rug from under our feet, some voices are less heard than others.

To unpack this topic and discuss how stories of underrepresented voices drive social impact, I was excited to have Chris Colbert Founder/CEO at DCP Entertainment. A bit, about Chris. With a passion for connecting audiences with innovative and inspiring content, Chris founded DCP Entertainment; giving a platform to People of Color, Women, and LGBTQ communities, as well as highlighting stories around mental health, disability, and overcoming adversity.

A few questions I asked Chris:

– What is the backstory that got you to where you are today?

– Can you share more about the visual storytelling programs you run at DCP Entertainment?

– Can you share a few success stories and discuss how the visual story was created? From concept to developing the visual storytelling strategy and delivery? Are you after specific emotions? And what was the public response?

– How are you elevating stories of underrepresented communities during the coronavirus pandemic?

– Can you share any failures or obstacles while developing a program and what have you learned from the experience?

– What was the most emotional moment for you and why?

– Based on your experience at DCP, can you share your top 3 tips on how to tell compelling stories (video and podcasting)?

And much more!

Watch the full video recording of this interview:

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Highlights from our chat:

A question I ask all our guests to frame the conversation through their perspectives: how do you define “visual storytelling?”
I define “visual storytelling” as using images and audio to connect emotionally with your audience while you inform and/or entertain them.

How are you elevating stories of underrepresented communities during the coronavirus pandemic?
Like everyone, we’re being resourceful to bring our viewers and listeners the same amazing hosts and guests every day and week, so we’ve had to be creative with how we use technology. The big thing we’re using now is Zoom and Instagram Live, where we’re able to showcase our hosts and their celebrity guests all broadcasting from home. Though this time is tough on all of us for so many reasons, it has provided us with an opportunity to see how much we are all alike and dealing with many of the same difficulties. And with our Zoom & IG Live recordings, people can see our homes are just as messy, our dogs won’t stop barking, and our kids won’t stop interrupting, just like you.

Especially these days, brands need to focus on empathy-first stories, and underrepresented communities definitely face the most challenges. How should brands tell stories that can truly help these communities?
To tell stories and have the greatest impact on underrepresented communities, you need to employ people from those communities. It’s just not possible to truly represent these stories in a responsible, healthy, and honest way unless the decision-makers of that company or campaign are reflective of the community they’re trying to appeal to. And you can’t just say, we’re trying to reach black women, so we have this one black woman on our team who is our consultant for that entire population. No. You’ll need multiple women, Black women and people of color on your team to truly speak to those experiences in a helpful non-offensive way.

The conversation with Chris taught me a simple truth.

Great stories are waiting at the road less traveled, outside the limelight.

When you surface underrepresented voices to your audience, it allows your brand to achieve a deeper level of authenticity and inclusivity.

It also helps, if the storyteller you assigned to capture the story, shares some affinity with the interviewee.

It’s like catching one bird with two stones.

Bringing up a less talked about, yet important topic to your audience. And instead of you telling the story, your appointed storyteller’s unique perspectives add another “camera angle” with its own original visual language.

I hope you enjoy this episode. If you do, feel free to drop a review on iTunes, so other people can discover the unique threads you found valuable.