More Than a Single Story Inc

More Than a Single Story (MTSS) is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to position the literary arts as a catalyst for cross-cultural healing and social justice. We connect BIPOC writers with broadly inclusive communities through readings, public conversations, mentorships and writing workshops that foster insight, empathy, and literary skill-building. We offer mentorships that are aimed to advance capacity for both early career and advanced BIPOC writers.

More Than a Single Story was founded in 2016 by author and long-time arts leader, Carolyn Holbrook who recognized a need for more programming for BIPOC writers. The McKnight Foundation named Carolyn as its Distinguished Artist in 2025, an award given annually to a Minnesota artist or culture bearer who has made significant contributions to the state’s cultural life.

Every year, More Than a Single Story works in partnership with Hennepin and St. Paul libraries and community organizations such as The Givens Collection of African American Literature and In Black Ink to offer dynamic programming that consists of community conversations, public readings and mentoring programs.

• Our Stories Ourselves: A series of panel conversations that feature 4-5 artists andcommunity activists who engage in discussion around timely topics. The panels are
  followed by writing workshops.
• Embracing Our Roots/Rooted and Rising: A quarterly series that features elder and nextgeneration artists and arts leaders in conversations that honor the significant impact artists and movements have had on our present day capacity to survive the storms and keep creating, and to pass this knowledge down to the next generation.
• Writer to Writer: Quarterly virtual conversations between established BIPOC writers.The authors read from their work and engage in discussion of their backgrounds, elements of creative writing, and their views on the impact of current events and community on their craft.
• Go Back & Fetch It! A year-long mentoring program where early career Black writerswork with established writers to deepen their individual writing visions and skills; and build connections with other emerging writers.
• Rooted in Writing: A series that offers writing workshops selected by librarians withinthe 41 branches of Hennepin County library.
• In Our Words, MN BIPOC Writers: A new radio program highlighting Minnesota’s BIPOC authors, thinkers and activists. Hosted by Carolyn Holbrook and David Mura, and produced by the Association of Minnesota Public Educational Radio Stations

We continue to be grateful to our funders, sponsors and donors. Without you, we wouldn’t be able to do the fine work we do.

SUPPORT US

More Than A Single Story exists to support BIPOC writers to cultivate, craft, and share their stories. Will you consider a gift today to support this work?

As one participant noted about our mentoring program, "Go Back & Fetch It sets the bar high. You let us know that the sky is not the limit, it's only a view of what lies beyond." Help us continue our exceptional programs today.