Jorden Michel brings a keen ear and deep care to every stop on StoryCorps’ Mobile Tour. As a Participant Relations Associate, he ensures that each participant has a smooth, supported experience — from scheduling and preparation to stepping into the MobileBooth and preserving their story.
Having first joined StoryCorps through the Brightness in Black fellowship, Jorden learned the power of listening and the importance of preserving voices and legacies often overlooked. On the Mobile Tour, he carries that ethos across communities nationwide.
How did you find out about StoryCorps originally? What was it about this fellowship that attracted you to the program in particular?
I learned about StoryCorps after a mentor mentioned the nonprofit in a short conversation. I began my journey at StoryCorps through the Brightness in Black fellowship. What drew me to the Brightness in Black fellowship was its intentional focus on Black voices and the opportunity to be part of a space that valued community-centered storytelling. As someone who creates work rooted in Black life and legacy, I saw the fellowship as a space where I could grow as a listener, a creative, and a collaborator. Although my background is in filmmaking, the fellowship pushed me to think differently about how stories are told. I learned to lean into the intimacy and emotional depth that audio offers — realizing that a voice alone can hold as much weight as an image. It sharpened my instincts as a storyteller and reminded me that listening is just as powerful as seeing.
How’d you embrace your interest in filmmaking with our focus on audio here at StoryCorps during your fellowship?
What stood out most was the depth of care and intention they had for each other. It reminded me why this work matters — capturing moments that might otherwise go undocumented and honoring the legacies being built in real time. That experience taught me the importance of deep listening and intentional storytelling. I’m grateful to have played even a small part in helping preserve that moment.
How did this experience help with your skills as a facilitator when you were in Montana?
Facilitating in Montana was a shift for me. The stories weren’t minority focused in the way I was used to, but they were still deeply powerful. Many participants were artists or people living off the grid in self-sustained communities. That experience pushed me to connect across different backgrounds and reminded me that meaningful storytelling exists everywhere. My role is to hold space for it, no matter the setting.
Now, as a Participant Relations Associate, I carry those lessons with me. I help ensure that every participant has a smooth and respectful experience before, during, and after their recording session. I support scheduling, offer tech troubleshooting, prepare participants for what to expect, respond to post-session questions, and guide them through the release process. I’ve had the opportunity to support participants across the country, including during that powerful visit to Montana with our Mobile Tour.
I’m truly grateful for the people I’ve worked with — from the fellowship to my current role. Their support and collaboration have shaped my growth and made this journey unforgettable. As a facilitator and now in this role, experiences like these continue to ground me. They show me the impact of storytelling and the beauty of witnessing people speak their truth in a safe and affirming space.