Unlock Your Story

Happy Pub Day, ! 💛

I’m grateful that GG trusted me to write an endorsement of Story Work. In Story Work, GG Renee Hill does more than teach the art of storytelling; she embodies it. With raw honesty and heartfelt reflection, she models the very method of story work she invites you to explore. Through intimate personal narratives, carefully crafted reflection questions, and guided exercises, this book is not just something you read—it’s something you experience. With intention and care, GG Renee Hill gently moves alongside you, helping you uncover, shape, and honor your stories. I paused in each chapter to breathe in its beauty, depth, and invitation to step more fully into my story. Whether you are a writer, an artist, an activist, or someone longing to understand yourself more deeply, this book is a gift. Those who journey through its pages will not only witness the power of storytelling—they will emerge transformed by it.

I highly recommend this book for all storytellers and those seeking to more deeply connect with their stories.

🎤 Speak, Connect, Build

I’m grateful to have had the opportunity to facilitate a breakout+ session at the annual conference this past week. I loved hearing the stories of inspiring women in construction who are breaking barriers. I shared our signature Unlock Your Story framework to support them in structuring their stories for impact.

✨Journal prompts

• When was a time you felt fully present?

• What about that moment helped you feel present?

• How can you create more moments when you feel fully present?

✨2024 Highlights

• Keynoting the People’s Conference in Howard County, MD
• Keynoting the Data 4 Public Good conference in Minneapolis, MN
• Supporting an Unlock Your Flow yoga + journaling workshop with
• Giving a talk at the Virginia Theological Seminary
• Leading a workshop at the National Alliance for Caregiving convening
• Working with educators and families on sharing their stories for advocacy
• Facilitating the annual public speaking workshop for the incoming Leadership Scholars

…plus coaching many wonderful individuals to help them reach their storytelling, interviewing, and writing goals

And more!

Here’s to 2025 ✨ We’re starting to book for Winter/Spring 2025. Email [email protected] if you’re looking for storytelling workshops or coaching!

✨Narratives for Change

I’m looking forward to giving the keynote next week for Riverhawks Rise!

I’ll delve into how we build leadership stories and leverage personal storytelling for change. I’m grateful for the opportunity to share my love of storytelling in various settings, and can’t wait to be I community with the Riverhawks!

Thank you so much to Virginia Theological Seminary for having me to speak about truth in history, dominant narratives in history, and how church leaders can lift counter-narratives in their work. I appreciate the opportunity to be in dialogue and connect with the VTS community on the power of storytelling and narratives.

✨Navigating the Margins

I’m looking forward to another year working with the Navigating the Margins program in Howard County Public Schools. The program provides high school students with a safe space to explore and enhance their writing skills. They get access to craft workshops and are paired with a writing mentor. I loved working with talented students to help them refine pieces that they then published in this anthology.

Unlock Your Story is so grateful to be in partnership with on his writing journey.

Thank you, Travis, for this lovely note: “Y’all need to get with because of the care and motivation she brings to the work of writing. A great thinker, writer, and motivator, Cierra has already changed how I am engaging in higher education and in life. May we all strive to be storytellers.”

Thank you to for the beautiful invitation to collaborate on the Unlock Your Flow event that launched her incredible new yoga space in DC. I’m grateful to have shared space and led a guided meditation and journaling exercise as we ease into the fall months.

The theme of the event was “unlocking.” How can we unlock and release the parts of us that need to be seen, nurtured, and nourished?

Make sure to check out ’s upcoming events!

Grateful for another partnership with and Howard County Public Schools supporting parents in their storytelling and advocacy efforts.

Storytelling is an essential part of advocacy and organizing. With storytelling, we can influence, inspire, and galvanize folks to take action.

✨So grateful to facilitate the Leadership Scholars program’s annual public speaking workshop at their orientation! As an alumna of the program, it is a gift to be able to share my love of storytelling + some tips & tricks I’ve picked up along the way with an incredible group dedicated to social change. We learned together, discussed challenges + triumphs, and they each got to put together a speech to share with their peers.

connected me to long-lasting friendships, career connections, and my final Social Action Project laid the groundwork for my dissertation. I’m so honored to be invited back and I’m excited for this next cohort’s journey.

Take a moment for yourself today. These journaling prompts will help you explore your values, intentions, and the best version of you ✨