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 mentorhips and salons 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 recently named Carolyn as its 2025 Distinguished Artist, an award given annually since 1998 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, In Black Ink and the MN BIPOC KidLit Creators 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 BIPOC artists who read from their work and engage in discussion around timely topics. The panels are followed by writing workshops led by panelists.
• Embracing Our Roots/Rooted and Rising: A quarterly series that features elder and next generation 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 twelve early career Black writers work with experienced writers to deepen their individual writing visions and skills; and build connections with other emerging writers.
• The Sweeter the Juice: A quarterly cohort that supports twelve established Black writers with safe space to gather, share ideas, inspire each other, rest and refresh, write together, and strengthen the sense of community that feeds their souls.  
• Special Events: This May, we presented MacArthur Genius and celebrated children’s and young adult author Jason Reynolds at the Guthrie Theater. Over 1,000 young people and adults enjoyed his conversation with Minnesota author Shannon Gibney and two 15-year-old readers about his work and his vision.

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.