WV Narrative Change Collaborative Gathering
The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation will host the Narrative Change Collaborative Gathering in Charleston with virtual streaming statewide.
Date and Time
Friday, November 7 · 8:30am - 5pm EST. Doors at 8am
Location
Four Points by Sheraton Charleston
600 Kanawha Boulevard East Charleston, WV 25301 United States
Good to know
Highlights
all ages
In person and Virtual
Free parking
Doors at 8:00 AM
About this event
Strong communities are built on strong stories. On November 7, 2025, The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation will host the Narrative Change Collaborative Gathering in Charleston, WV, with virtual streaming statewide.
This one-day gathering brings together journalists, K-12 and higher education professionals, nonprofit leaders, artists and creatives, and others who care about how West Virginia stories are told—and how the flow of news and information keeps our communities connected and informed.
It’s about building new connections, picking up practical tools, and finding a fresh spark of inspiration.
Event Highlights
- Vision 2035: Dream big about where we want West Virginia to be in ten years.
- Amplify Stories: Learn strategies to cut through the noise and lift up local voices.
- National + Local Exchange: Hear from The New York Times, Tiny News Collective, and Appalachia Funders Network alongside West Virginia leaders.
- Community Connection: Good food, conversation, and time with people who care deeply about our neighbors and our future.
Accessibility & Hybrid Participation – Join Anytime & How You’re Able
Join us in person in Charleston, or, in the afternoon, watch the events stream online from anywhere in West Virginia.
You’re welcome to join the event throughout the day and leave at your convenience, as your schedule allows.
The gathering is designed with multiple ways to participate, so whether you’re in the room or online, you’ll be part of the conversations, connections, and inspiration.
What to Expect
- Morning (In-Person): Relationship-building, visioning, and skill-sharing. Space to connect across sectors and find inspiration in new ways of seeing your work.
- Lunch (In-Person): Open networking and a celebration of narrative projects happening across the Kanawha Valley.
- Afternoon (In-Person and Streaming Online): Spotlight on West Virginia’s news and information systems, with national partners and local leaders sharing models for sustaining trusted, community-rooted news that ensures residents stay engaged and informed.
- Evening: Mixer (details to come).
Complete schedule will be published soon!
Why Join?
Because stories and information matter. How we talk about and depict West Virginians—and the quality of information people can access—drives opportunity, trust, and belonging. This gathering is your chance to:
- Connect with others committed to telling stories about West Virginia.
- Learn practical tools and strategies you can use right away.
- Celebrate local projects and new voices.
- Strengthen your network to stay inspired and informed, even when the obstacles are great.
Who Should Join
Journalists, K-12 and higher education professionals, nonprofit leaders, artists and creatives of all stripes, funders, community leaders and voices, and anyone invested in creating new stories for and about West Virginia.
What is Narrative Change? Why Does It Matter for this Project?
Narrative change is a way to spark new understanding of today’s realities while reimagining what is possible for tomorrow. In West Virginia, we need more stories that reflect both the challenges in our communities and the opportunities to address them.
No single news outlet, creative storyteller, nonprofit, or influential person can capture the complete picture of these challenges and solutions. It will take all of us working together, building stronger connections across sectors, and understanding how to work with agility (often with limited resources and capacity) to create a fuller story.
Keeping all of us inspired, engaged, and informed so we can keep going, even when the obstacles seem great—that’s what this event is about. Creating space for connection, creative spark, and shared inspiration.
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