Ex Fabula and Vel R Phillips School Teamed Together to Give an Outlet to the Girls in the Center
Ex Fabula held a virtual workshop for the girls a part of Vel R Phillips School. (Picture by Alea McHatten)
When COVID hit, Ex Fabula—a platform dedicated to storytelling—immediately went virtual to keep their programming going. As an organization built on human connections, Ex Fabula had to find a way to keep their audience tuned in, which meant partnering with local organizations, such as the Milwaukee Public Library (MPL).
From July 16, 2020 through August 8, 2020, Ex Fabula has been hosting free virtual workshops with MPL. Along with teaching attendees how to hone in on their skills and prepare their story, they also have a chance to perform at the end of the summer StorySlam to win a cash prize.
“We’re always trying to find different ways we can connect with people across Milwaukee,” said Ex Fabula Event Producer Alea McHatten.
The MPL workshops inspired other local organizations to team up with Ex Fabula.
Dean Heus, Vel R Phillips School administrator, first heard of Ex Fabula back in 2019 when he was attending the Campaign For Black Male Achievement conference at MATC.
The workshop was headed by Ex Fabula and that’s when he knew, he wanted to incorporate their work in Vel R Phillips School. Heus has been in contact with Ex Fabula for a year, but never set anything into motion until the MPL workshops.
After a conversation, Ex Fabula immediately agreed to host a virtual workshop for the girls of Vel R Phillips School. Since the youth of the school are court ordered to be in the center, the staff of Vel R Phillips School focus on providing their youth with activities and opportunities to help them succeed once they’re able to leave.
“We know that your time in Vel Phillips doesn’t define you, but you have to think about what your story is,” Heus said.
McHatten worked with Vel R Phillips Summer School Teacher Ashley Miu to conduct the 90-minute workshop. Miu loved the way McHatten got the girls involved in the storytelling process through music and how she put a positive spin on the entire workshop. She even participated in the workshop activities.
“Our girls and our youth in general are just like other kids,” said Miu. “They’re really just looking for those mentors.”
Only three girls were able to attend the virtual workshop, but Heus plans to do more collaborative work with Ex Fabula.
For more information on Vel R Phillips School, click here. For more information and to register for Ex Fabula workshops, click here.