Personal stories are not just persuasive—they’re revolutionary.
Oppression requires control of the narrative. That’s why sharing real, personal stories isn’t just powerful—it’s a radical act of resistance.
When people speak from their lived experiences, they break through propaganda, fear, and disinformation. They humanize the issues. They remind us of our shared values. And they reach others in ways no polished message from the top ever could.
We know that nothing persuades like an honest conversation with someone you trust—someone from your own community. That’s why we’re expanding those authentic voices through video, taking the power of local messengers beyond door-to-door interactions and into the broader digital public square.
In partnership with the Video Activists Academy, we train and support volunteers we call “Storykeepers” to film interviews and moments using their own smartphones—supplemented with simple equipment and guidance.
We then craft these raw stories into short videos—and place them where they’ll be seen: on free and paid media platforms, targeted to communities that rarely hear these messages from someone they know, or someone like them.
Because in times like these, storytelling isn’t just communication—it’s defiance. Together, we can write our history faster than they can erase it.
It’s how we reconnect with one another. It’s how we challenge dominant narratives. And it’s how we build a future rooted in truth, empathy, and action.
How Does it work?
We will work with a limited number of volunteers in Virginia providing at-your-own-pace-training to become Storykeepers. In addition to our investment in training resources, we will provide ongoing support staff. Storykeepers will complete two brief training modules Plan and Shoot, with optional Edit, Post, and Short-Form Video modules.
Then the fun work beings! Storykeepers will reach out to their family members, friends, neighbors, and folks they meet in their community and schedule times to capture video stories. Rural GroundGame is responsible for the final ads, media release forms, and compliance.
Our Political Director, Lynlee, sitting down with her Dad, Tom, for an interview about his US Army service, healthcare, and his support for Democrats after many years of voting for Republicans.
A little training and support goes a long way
Good quality audio and decent video is make-or-break to keep viewers engaged. We’re incredibly grateful for the training and support our Storykeepers receive from The Video Activists Academy. Training modules are organized by topic and made to work for any schedule.
Do you have a Have a story to share with one of our StoryKeepers?
Resources for StoryKeepers
Here’s a quick Storykeeper care package tour. RGG can supply some of these materials to a limited number of volunteers, you can consider purchasing your own here.
We will provide additional resources like open office hours for support and direct contact with staff. We are most interested in personal impact stories related to issues like:
Economic Issues
Healthcare
Public Schools
Cuts to Essential Services
Climate/Environment
Civil Rights
Workers' Rights
Infrastructure
Foreign Policy
Active Military & Veterans