Our Mission:

More Than a Single Story Logo

More Than a Single Story was founded in 2016 with a mission to position the literary arts as a catalyst for cross-cultural healing, understanding, and social justice through readings, public conversations, writing workshops and mentorships that foster insight, empathy, and literary skill-building.

Our Values:

Our vision is to amplify the voices of BIPOC writers in the public arena, and to support them in their developmental process. Through readings, panel conversations, writing workshops, programs for early career, mid-career, and established writers, we support BIPOC writers in deepening their practice and exploring issues that are critical to building equity for themselves and their cultural communities. 


Reviews & Testimonials

On August 6, 2025, the McKnight Foundation named Carolyn Holbrook its 2025 Distinguished Artist, Minnesota’s highest honor for an individual artist, recognizing a lifetime of achievement and leadership in Minnesota’s cultural arts.

Praise for We Are Meant to Rise

 Publishers Weekly

“The power of protest, mourning, and healing showcased is consistently moving…These entries make for a powerful and passionate take on a fraught moment.”

Star Tribune Book Review

“A triumph of story-telling, a panoply of experiences drawn from the diverse peoples of Minnesota. But it also raises the fundamental questions that all of us confront as Americans.”

Ms Magazine

“This collection is diverse, enraging, heartbreaking, impassioned and this month’s #RequiredReading.”

Minnesota Spokesman-Recorder

We Are Meant to Rise offers a different vision of past and present, unflinching in its gaze on our national and local sins but ultimately affirming hope and possibility.” 

Rochester Post Bulletin

“These words are sacred parts of each author, shared with the world as a generous gift to those willing to accept it… The reward for the reader is a connection and a deeper understanding of our neighbors and our friends.”

Colors of Influence

“The book acts as a time capsule of reflections of being Black, brown, indigenous & immigrant in a city that resembles much of America. There are poignant stories of immigration from the points of view of various communities…Many stories share the narrative of survival, of healing from trauma, and emerging intact from the crushing weight of generational wounds. “

Hennepin County Library’s What We Loved in 2021 Book List

Star Tribune’s
10 Most Anticipated Books List.

One Book | One Minnesota


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    More Than a Single Story Logo

    Our Mission: More Than a Single Story was founded in 2016 with a mission to position the literary arts as a catalyst for cross-cultural healing, understanding, and social justice through

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  • Media Gallery

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  • Contact Us

    Get in touch with More Than a Single Story. Contact us for questions about events, partnerships, programs, and community conversations. We look forward to hearing from you. Location Twin Cities,

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  • Programs

    A photo of members of the Go Back and Fetch It cohort reflecting on a writing exercise

    Programs Our programs bring writers, artists, and community members together for conversations, workshops, and story-centered events that uplift BIPOC voices and lived experience. Our Stories, Ourselves A series of panel

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  • Go Back & Fetch It

    Go Back & Fetch It Logo

    “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.”~ Ashante Gills,

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