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Writer's pictureElyse Klaidman

Ava DuVernay and ARRAY 101 Unveil "ORIGIN Stories" on Story Xperiential

An Interactive Learning Experience For Students & Adults, Inspired By DuVernay’s Acclaimed Film, ORIGIN

Tell Your Story webpage - images of the cast of ORIGIN

Los Angeles, CA (June 18, 2024)  – X IN A BOX, an innovative educational company known for providing accessible experiential learning, today announced a groundbreaking new curriculum designed to amplify Ava DuVernay’s latest film ORIGIN - now streaming on Hulu - and the film’s one-of-a-kind education initiative, ARRAY 101. 

 

ARRAY, the multi-platform arts and social impact collective founded by filmmaker Ava DuVernay and her education initiative, ARRAY 101, provides free, dynamic social impact learning guides to students, adults, and anyone who wants to learn. Through its partnership with X IN A BOX, ARRAY 101 has launched a dynamic curriculum to accompany DuVernay’s film ORIGIN, with a specially designed “ORIGIN Stories” lesson hosted on the Story Xperiential platform. ARRAY and Story Xperiential previously collaborated on a learning guide for DuVernay’s acclaimed Netflix series, When They See Us.


Inspired by DuVernay's powerful film ORIGIN, about caste systems in the U.S., India, and Germany, the new “ORIGIN Stories” interactive lesson allows participants to build a deeper understanding of caste systems worldwide and to explore and tell their own stories about these social systems with comprehensive learning materials provided by ARRAY 101.

Screenshot of Ava DuVernay video and text about the ORIGIN Learning Companion and Origin Stories
Participants are invited to share their own stories on the “ORIGIN Stories” experience on Story Xperiential.

"ORIGIN Stories" is designed to deepen the conversation around caste and its impact on society, using DuVernay’s film ORIGIN as a springboard for historical exploration, personal reflection, and storytelling. This collaboration between ARRAY and X IN A BOX marks a significant step forward in using cinema as a tool for education and social change, merging ARRAY's commitment to inclusive storytelling with X IN A BOX's expertise in creating engaging, real-world learning opportunities.

 

Participants in "ORIGIN Stories" will explore the film's themes through a series of interactive activities and challenges on the Story Xperiential platform. By guiding users through a process of personal narrative development, the program aims to foster a deeper understanding of caste and encourage a dialogue about identity, power, and the importance of storytelling in making change.


Screenshot of content from the ORIGIN101
Participants will gain a deeper understanding of caste and the way it divides people into different levels from birth.

"X IN A BOX is honored to collaborate with ARRAY and Ava DuVernay on this important project," said Elyse Klaidman, X IN A BOX’s CEO and co-founder. "Story Xperiential is built on the belief that learning should be engaging, relevant, and deeply connected to the real world. 'ORIGIN Stories' embodies these principles, offering an innovative way for individuals to connect with the film's themes and share their own experiences through our community platform. Film has the power to open hearts and minds, and with 'ORIGIN Stories' we aim to inspire participants to explore their own stories and the structures that shape our world. It's an invitation to engage, reflect, and contribute to a broader conversation about caste and its relevance today."

 

Screenshot of content from Origin Story platform
“ORIGIN Stories” can be used by students, by adults, and by teachers.

The “ORIGIN Stories” project from X IN A BOX on Story Xperiential was supported by XQ Institute, a long-time innovation partner of both organizations. XQ is the nation’s leading organization dedicated to rethinking the high school experience so every student graduates ready to succeed in college, career, and real life. 


“We are thrilled to be able to help bring Ava DuVernay’s transformative storytelling and her vision for social change into focus for young people through this powerful learning experience,” said Russlynn Ali, co-founder and CEO of XQ. 


“We are at a critical crossroads around the world as the sharing of history and information faces increasing banning and suppression,” says Tammy Garnes, ARRAY’s Vice President of Education and Understanding. “Despite these challenges, we ensure that free learning materials, like those at ARRAY 101, are crafted by a team of educators and subject matter experts. These resources take films like ORIGIN and develop meaningful curriculum that is accessible to learners of all kinds.”


Written, directed, and produced by Academy Award nominee, Ava DuVernay, ORIGIN explores the mystery of history, the wonders of romance, and a fight for our future. While investigating the global phenomenon of caste and its dark influence on society, a journalist faces unfathomable personal loss and uncovers the beauty of human resilience. With an expansive cast that includes Academy Award nominee Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor, Jon Bernthal, and Niecy Nash-Betts, the film was inspired by Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Isabel Wilkerson's novel Caste: The Origin of Our Discontents.

"ORIGIN Stories " is available now through the ARRAY 101 educational website. Educators, students, and individuals interested in participating can access the program online at ORIGIN101.org, where they will find all the tools and resources needed to begin their storytelling journey. Participation is free to the first 10,000 participants (Adults or Youths ages 13-18).


About ARRAY

Academy Award nominated filmmaker Ava DuVernay’s narrative change studio ARRAY provides free, dynamic social impact learning companions to students, adults, and anyone who wants to learn through their ARRAY 101 initiative. In partnership with X IN A BOX, ARRAY 101 has launched a propulsive curriculum to accompany DuVernay’s latest film ORIGIN, with a lesson entitled “ORIGIN Stories” that is hosted on the Story Xperiential platform. ARRAY and Story Xperiential previously collaborated on a learning guide for DuVernay’s acclaimed Netflix series, When They See Us.

 

About X IN A BOX and Story Xperiential 

X IN A BOX is a cutting-edge educational technology company that has built the innovative Story Xperiential platform that merges creative storytelling with scalable learning. By leveraging technology and interactive media, X IN A BOX provides cost-effective and captivating real-world learning experiences for schools and learners of all ages.


XIAB contact: 

Elyse Klaidman, CEO and Co-Founder 


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