Featuring Keynote from The Facing Project
The Facing Project is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that connects people through stories to strengthen communities. Founded in Muncie, Indiana, by J.R. Jamison and Kelsey Timmerman, the organization has connected writers, storytellers, artists, educators, and community leaders in over 75 communities across the country. Hailed by The Huffington Post, Harlem World Magazine, and Soul Train as one of three oral history projects to watch, The Facing Project provides a model, tools, coaching, and a platform for communities to arm themselves with stories to begin crucial conversations on social justice issues—neighbor to neighbor, community to community—by discussing solutions and exploring healing through their own narratives.
Kelsey has spent more than a decade traveling the world and helping people share their stories. He is the New York Times Bestselling author of  Where Am I Wearing? A Global Tour to the Countries, Factories, and People that Make Our Clothes and Where Am I Eating? A Journey Through the  Global Food Economy. THE GLOBAL FOOD ECONOMY. His work has appeared in the Christian Science Monitor, Condé Nast Portfolio, TIME Magazine and has aired on NPR.
J.R. has spent more than a decade connecting higher education and nonprofits through meaningful community engagement partnerships. His work has been adopted by more than 40 campuses and communities across the globe, and he has written and won over $5 million of grants to support communities in their engagement efforts. His work has appeared in national journals, books, The Huffington Post, Harlem World Magazine, and on NPR.