In Foundations of Storytelling, Black women can enter a safe and supportive environment to learn the art of storytelling.
This class will guide you in your journey to discover your authentic, unapologetic voice. While getting an overview of the African American traditions of storytelling, you will also learn how humor, vulnerability, and candor create compelling stories. As you progress through the course, your confidence in your style of storytelling will build. You will begin to see the various ways that storytelling can be used, such as for family history, fundraising, presentations, memoir writing, and more.
For seven weeks, you will craft your personal stories and refine them as the course progresses. In the eighth week of the course, you will have a one-on-one coaching session with Sydney Plant. This will empower and prepare you to perform your story during the virtual showcase. You can invite family and friends to the showcase.
All class meetings will be held via Zoom. The link to join your Zoom classroom will be provided before your first class. Please check spam folders if you do not receive an email confirmation upon registration. Please click here for more information on downloading or using Zoom.
Course takeaways
Brief history of storytelling traditions
Story structure and development
Story selection and purpose
Identifying the story’s plot and theme
Incorporating your unique personality and style into your story
Stage presence for storytelling
Course policies
Classes are non-refundable.
Students must be able to access Zoom.
We do not allow more than two absences. Students missing more than two sessions will be removed from the course and will not be permitted to participate in the showcase.
You must be age 18 or older to sign up for this course.
Women of Candor reserves the right to accept or deny any individual's application.
Women of Candor reserves the right to postpone or cancel the course if it does not reach a minimum number of students, in which case, you will be refunded.
Participation in or completion of courses does not guarantee placement in Women of Candor storytelling events and performances.
Meet the instructor
Sydney Plant’s foray into live storytelling began at the Story Studio in New York. Her story from that class showcase was featured on the popular podcast Risk!, hosted by master storyteller Kevin Allison. Since then, Sydney set out to bring Black/African American women’s voices to the storytelling stage. In 2019, Sydney created Women of Candor—a live storytelling experience that delivers fabulous, funny, and freeing narratives told by Black women. The show took a hiatus during the covid-19 pandemic and returned in the summer of 2022. Sydney chooses to live a life that sparks her daily. In addition to Women of Candor, Sydney is the owner of Black Women Unlimited and a certified Sparketype Advisor. She enjoys attending plays and concerts usually accompanied by a fine dining experience.
Testimonials
“I recommend Sydney Plant as a storytelling coach. I remember the first time I heard her tell a story about what would be considered extremely embarrassing to others but was needed to paint the picture of the seriousness of the matter she was making. She taught me how to paint a picture with my words to draw the emotion of the audience.”
“I trusted the space Women of Candor created and how it empowered me to realize my stories are valuable and meaningful because my life and experiences have value and meaning.”
“Sydney is an amazing instructor with fresh insight into storytelling. It was a pleasure being in her class and learning from her.”
“Sydney is very positive and engaging in class and makes everyone feel welcome and listened to.”
“I appreciated her vulnerability which in turn allowed us to be vulnerable as well. Her feedback was useful, constructive, and kind.”
“This is a class for anyone, whether their first time storytelling or if they have experience, they will learn something new from this class.”
“It was a safe space to share, cry, and really unpack.”
“This was a very supportive environment and the teacher was great.”
“Loved learning from Sydney and loved the content and format of this class! I really enjoyed learning the basics of storytelling as well as exploring the topic with such a diverse and fun group of people.”