About Southern Narrative Project
The South has always had something to say.
The Southern Narrative Project is a storytelling and narrative strategy hub rooted in the South and led by organizers, culture bearers, creatives, and truth-tellers who are shifting what’s possible for our people and our politics. From red clay backroads to city blocks, we believe narrative isn’t just what we say—it’s how we shape power.
This Substack is our digital front porch. A place to:
Document what’s happening on the ground
Celebrate the culture shaping our movements
Build collective narrative power across issues, states, and communities
Pass the mic to those who are often pushed to the margins, especially BIPOC youth, women, LGBTQ+ folks, immigrants, and working-class Southerners
Through storytelling, real talk, and cultural strategy, we’re dismantling dominant narratives rooted in white supremacy and anti-Blackness and building new ones anchored in liberation, joy, and justice.
What You'll Find Here
AV On The Ground: frontline snapshots of Southern organizing in motion
Southern Narrative Collective: where movement meets media, memory, and creativity
Down for the Count: demystifying data, the Census, and representation
They Better Get These Lines Right: the fight for fair maps and redistricting justice
Do The Vote Thing: youth-led, culture-forward civic engagement/education work
It’s My Body. Period.: reproductive justice, news, storytelling, and educational resources
Justice in Focus: exposing harm, elevating visions of reform
AV Reads: curated content that informs, inspires, and ignites
Why subscribe?
Because stories shape power—and the South has something to say.
The Southern Narrative Project isn’t just a newsletter. It’s a space for those who know that culture is strategy, that messaging can build movements, and that the South is not a monolith—it’s a mosaic of voices, visions, and values pushing toward freedom.
When you subscribe, you’re tapping into:
Exclusive content from AV’s Southern Narrative Collective, including film, media, and creative storytelling
Deep narrative analysis that connects the dots between policy, politics, and culture
Youth-driven, culturally rooted campaigns that shift how we engage and organize
A front-row seat to how we build narrative power across the South—together
🌱 Your subscription also supports the sustainability of our work and the next generation of changemakers who will carry it forward
We don’t just report what’s happening—we shape what happens next.
Subscribe to stay connected, stay sharp, and stay in the fight.
Subscribe to get full access to the newsletter and publication archives.
Stay Connected
Every story, update, and piece of strategy lands right in your inbox, keeping you connected to the conversations shaping our region. Want the full experience? Download the Substack app and never miss a beat. Get the Substack app.
This Is Movement, Not Just Media
This isn’t just content, it’s community. A gathering place for those who believe narrative is power and that the South has always been fertile ground for change. Pull up in the comments, lift your voice, and grow this work with us.
Built for Us, By Us
No ads. No noise. Just stories, strategy, and community—delivered in a space designed for us. With subscriber-only audio and community features, you’ll get a front-row seat to how we build, imagine, and organize together.
We’re glad you’re here. Let’s keep building. Download the Substack app to get the full experience.
We’re excited to have you with us!
To learn more about the organization behind the Southern Narrative Project, visit www.alvalues.org
