Bring Your Own is a live storytelling series that takes place in unconventional spaces throughout the New Orleans Community. Each month, BYO partners with a different community organization to tell true stories based on a theme relevant to the work of that organization. This story was told on May 23rd, 2018 in the New Orleans Sculpture Garden, and later produced by Laine Kaplan-Levenson. The event was in partnership with the New Orleans Museum of Art , and the theme of the evening was “A Queen Within." Here, Cole Williams talks of coming from a private family, and learning how to find, and speak her truth. Bring Your Own is a production of Laine Kaplan-Levenson and Computer Moon Productions. See photos from 'A Queen Within' , and hear more stories at bringyourownstories.com .

This story was told on January 18th, 2018 at SBC, and later produced by Maggie Hermann. The theme of the evening was "Pipe Dreams: our Flooding Visions and Nightmares " and here, Constanza Porche describes her day navigating the roads through the August 5 th flood and how she’s learned to be prepared for water in New Orleans since before she was born. That BYO was in partnership with ISeeChange and The Trust for Public Land. The next BYO is on Friday, March 23 rd , in partnership with NOMA, and held outdoors in the sculpture garden. More info at bringyourownstories.com .

Bring Your Own is a nomadic storytelling series that takes place in unconventional spaces within the community. Each month, eight storytellers have seven minutes to respond to a theme. BYO airs on All Things New Orleans and is a biweekly podcast on WWNO.org. This story was told on September 28th, 2017 at the CAC, and later produced by Laine Kaplan-Levenson. The theme of the evening was "The Thing Is" and here, Alia Alie describes a dress her grandmother made for her, that she wears not only for style, but as a most honest representation of her homeland. That BYO was in partnership with Project:Object and the Stacks Bookstore. The next event is on November 17 th , as part of Court 13’s Always for Pleasure Festival. More info at bringyourownstories.com.

Bring Your Own is a nomadic storytelling series that takes place in unconventional spaces within the community. Each month, eight storytellers have seven minutes to respond to a theme. BYO airs on All Things New Orleans and is a biweekly podcast on WWNO.org. This story was told on May 11th, 2017 at the LGBT Community center, and later produced by Laine Kaplan-Levenson. The theme of the evening was "Sugar In Your Tank." Here, Lisa Mount recalls coming out to the world on CNN…except the world already knew… The next BYO is Thursday, September 28th at the CAC. The Theme is ‘The Things Is…’ and storytellers will bring and discuss personal objects that hold a certain significance to them. Presenters include Michael Tisserand, Susan and Ann Gisleson, and Nathaniel Rich. More info at bringyourownstories.com .

Bring Your Own is a nomadic storytelling series that takes place in unconventional spaces within the community. Each month, eight storytellers have seven minutes to respond to a theme. BYO airs on All Things New Orleans and is a biweekly podcast on WWNO.org. This story was told on May 11th, 2017 at the LGBT Community center, and later produced by Laine Kaplan-Levenson. The theme of the evening was "Sugar In Your Tank." Here, Aaron Richmond-Havel recalls a vision in which his late aunt reveals a truth about herself . This, in turn, helps Aaron understand more about himself. The next event is Thursday, June 29th at The Music Box. The theme is 'Where I'm From.' More stories at bringyourownstories.com .

Bring Your Own is a nomadic storytelling series that takes place in unconventional spaces within the community. Each month, eight storytellers have eight minutes to respond to a theme. BYO airs on All Things New Orleans and is a biweekly podcast on WWNO.org. This story was told on December 15, 2016 at the Propeller, and later produced by Kevin Foster. The theme of the evening was “Moved”, and the event was in partnership with the New Orleans Workers Center For Racial Justice. Here. Monique Verdin finds power in family stories to weather the storms of life. More at bringyourownstories.com .

Bring Your Own is a nomadic storytelling series that takes place in unconventional spaces within the community. Each month, eight storytellers have eight minutes to respond to a theme. BYO airs on All Things New Orleans and is a biweekly podcast on WWNO.org. This story was told on January 12th, 2017 at the Circle Food Store, and later produced by Dana Bialek. The theme of the evening was "Where Does It Hurt" and here, Kendra Davis tells of a traumatic incident that ultimately expanded her ideas about love. More at bringyourownstories.com .

Bring Your Own is a nomadic storytelling series that takes place in unconventional spaces within the community. Each month, eight storytellers have eight minutes to respond to a theme. BYO airs on All Things New Orleans and is a biweekly podcast on WWNO.org. This story was told on October 20th, 2016 at The Radical Arts & Healing Collective, then later produced by Dana Bialek. The event was in partnership with the New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center, and the theme of the evening was "Uninhabitable" Here, Jeff D. chronicles how privilege, and lack-there of, goes unnoticed and unchallenged in our lives. More at bringyourownstories.com .

Bring Your Own is a nomadic storytelling series that takes place in unconventional spaces within the community. Each month, eight storytellers have eight minutes to respond to a theme. BYO airs on All Things New Orleans and is a biweekly podcast on WWNO.org. This story was told on January 12th, 2017 at the Circle Food Store, and later produced by Kevin Foster. The event was held in partnership with New Orleans Health Department, and the theme of the evening was "Where Does It Hurt?" Here, Claudia Lopez reads a letter from her brother, who’s serving a 20-year prison sentence he refers to as ‘arcane meloncholia’. Hear more stories at bringyourownstories.com .

Bring Your Own is a nomadic storytelling series that takes place in unconventional spaces within the community. Each month, eight storytellers have eight minutes to respond to a theme. BYO airs on All Things New Orleans and is a biweekly podcast on WWNO.org. This story was told on July 28 th , 2016 at the Homer Plessy Community School, a special BYO in partnership with Eve Abrams’ Unprisoned series. The theme of the evening was Heard: Why the Young Feel Old". Donte Burks told this story about knowing how, forgetting how, and then remembering, how to be himself. Hear more stories at bringyourownstories.com .