National Endowment for the Arts honors Story Crossroads 


Our project, Storytelling Pairings: A Blended Celebration of American Legacy, honors twelve influential Americans whose lives and contributions helped shape our nation. Through paired presentations, we spotlight both Black and Caucasian leaders whose stories reflect courage, creativity, justice, innovation, and lasting cultural impact.

We are honored to be one of only 50 organizations nationwide selected to receive an America250 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts. This project is presented in collaboration with the Utah Storytelling Guild and the Nubian Storytellers of Utah.

All events will take place at the Salt Lake Art Museum on the second and third Thursdays of each month from 5:30–7:00 p.m. Programs will also be professionally filmed and made available for free public viewing, expanding access to audiences near and far.

Mark your calendars and join us as we celebrate the stories, voices, and legacies that continue to shape America.

October 8, 2026Duke Ellington (portrayed by George Brown), recognizing his influence as a jazz bandleader and composer who shaped American music; paired with Irving Berlin (portrayed by Karl Behling), celebrating his contributions as a composer of iconic American standards.
October 15, 2026Thurgood Marshall (portrayed by Larenz Jordan), honoring his legacy as the first Black Supreme Court Justice and civil rights champion; paired with Ruth Bader Ginsburg (portrayed by Steffani Raff), honoring her lifelong commitment to justice and equality.
November 12, 2026Aretha Franklin (portrayed by Betty Sawyer), celebrating her legacy as a civil rights icon and musical trailblazer; paired with Julia Ward Howe (portrayed by Holly Robison), honoring her work as a composer and abolitionist.
November 19, 2026Booker T. Washington (portrayed by Everett L.Spencer, The MESSENGER), recognizing his role in education and reform; paired with John Adams (portrayed by Jeff Driggs), recognizing his foundational role as a founding father and advocate for education.
December 10, 2026Sojourner Truth (portrayed by Charlotte Starks), honoring her abolitionist and women’s rights activism; paired with Susan B. Anthony (portrayed by Jan C. Smith), acknowledging her leadership in women’s suffrage and social reform.
December 17, 2026Ida B. Wells (portrayed by Franque Bains), celebrated for her fearless investigative journalism and truth-telling, is paired with Emily Dickinson (portrayed by Janine Evans), the iconic poet whose innovative, introspective work reshaped American literature. Together, they embody the enduring power of the written word.


West Jordan, UT—Story Crossroads, in partnership with the Utah Storytelling Guild and Nubian Storytellers of Utah Leadership, is pleased to announce it is the recipient of a grant from the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) for Celebrating America250: Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes. A grant of $25,000 will support a series of storytelling performances celebrating American heroes, presented as part of America250. 

NEA Senior Advisor Mary Anne Carter said, “As our nation approaches its 250th anniversary, the National Endowment for the Arts is honored to support communities across the country in recognizing the individuals whose contributions have defined our history. Story Crossroads’ project in Utah plays a significant role in commemorating these heroes’ legacies while affirming the enduring role of the arts in shaping America’s future.” 

“Storytelling has always been one of the most powerful ways we remember who we are and how we came to be,” said Rachel Hedman, Founding Executive Director of Story Crossroads. “This support from the NEA allows us to honor American heroes through diverse voices and lived experiences, while creating space for dialogue, learning, and connection across generations and communities.” 

Through a Chair’s extraordinary action award, Story Crossroads will host a series of storytelling performances at the Salt Lake Art Museum honoring 12 American heroes, in partnership with the Utah Storytelling Guild and Nubian Storytellers of Utah Leadership. The project will include live performances, facilitated community discussions, and educational materials, with all programs made available for streaming online to reach audiences nationwide. 

The 50 NEA-supported Arts Projects Honoring the National Garden of American Heroes will honor these individuals through a wide range of artistic disciplines. For more information on other projects included in the NEA’s grant announcement, visit arts.gov/news.