Storiez & Soul
Storiez & Soul
Storiez & Soul, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that gives underprivileged youth, teens, and young adults hands-on training and mentorship to turn creative talent — film, writing, performance, visual art — into a real career path.
Cheri Bridges — known professionally as CC Storiez — founded Storiez & Soul after watching gifted young creatives told, over and over, that their talent wasn't a "real" career path.
She built Storiez & Soul to give them actual skills training, not just encouragement — while letting them see their vision come to life in front of them, through mini camps and Career Day–style showcases where they present real work to a real audience.
And because talent grows — or stalls — at home, Storiez & Soul also builds workshops and support for the parents and guardians raising these young creatives, so the whole household moves in the same direction.
I wanted to build something that gives them actual skills training — not just encouragement — while letting them see their vision come to life in front of them.
Creative-arts career training for underprivileged youth and their families.
Creative-arts career training for underprivileged youth and their families.
Storiez & Soul is built to grow — new city programs are added as funding and partnerships allow.
Support designated for a city's program stays dedicated to that city.
Programming is tailored to three age bands — 12–14, 15–17, and 18–21 — so every participant gets training built for exactly where they are.
Screenwriting, directing, producing, and on-camera acting technique.
Book writing, poetry, and spoken word performance.
Drawing, painting — canvas and live/portrait painting — photography, graphic design, and mural design.
Weekend events where participants present finished work to family, community, and industry guests.
Mentorship, portfolio-building, apprenticeships, showcases, festivals, and a publishing pipeline.
Workshops and counseling for the parents and guardians raising young creatives.
Storiez & Soul runs on mentors, instructors, and volunteers who believe creative careers are real careers.
Working creative professionals leading hands-on instruction in film, writing, or visual art.
Vetted community members helping get participants safely to and from programming.
Hands-on help running Mini Camps, Career Day showcases, and family workshops.
Every dollar goes toward instruction, materials, showcases, and safe transportation for the youth in our program cities.
Covers art or writing materials for one participant for a full session.
Sponsors one participant's seat in a full program cycle.
Helps fund a Mini Camp or Career Day showcase for the full cohort.
Storiez & Soul, Inc. is a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.