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The Power of Asset Framing: A Conversation with Trabian Shorters
“How do we create equitable outcomes for all members of our community? We can start by defining people by their aspirations, not their challenges.”
This method of thinking, commonly known as “asset-framing,” has become an essential part of the way Trabian Shorters views his work as the founder & CEO of BMe Community. The Miami-based organization has developed a network of innovators, leaders, and champions who invest in aspiring communities across the country and help develop positive change. For Shorters, recognizing people as assets to their community has helped drive his organization’s impact and tell a more accurate story of the groups they serve.
To learn more about asset-framing and how it can be used in our own work for Detroit children, we recently invited Trabian to speak with our Board of Trustees and staff. Following the conversation, we sat down with him to capture some of his thoughts around the subject and how it can be applied to help strengthen an organization’s focus on equity.
Defining “Asset-Framing” and How It Can Be Applied
Trabian explained asset-framing and describes how it can be applied in philanthropy and throughout our daily lives.
Narrative Is A Key Part in How We Frame Our Lives
Next, Trabian identified the important role narrative plays in our life and how it influences our understanding of identity, decision making, and the people around us.
It’s Our Responsibility to Care About Each Other
In order to create a more caring society, Trabian thinks philanthropy needs to do a better job of bringing people together under a common cause.
The Dangers of Using a Stigmatizing Narrative
Trabian also explained the dangers of philanthropic organizations using stigmatizing or negative narratives in their work. While on the surface these tales of deficit and despair seem effective in inciting action from stakeholders and gaining sympathy from the larger public, they can also stigmatize the communities they intend to serve.
The Power of Sharing Truthful Narratives
Finally, Trabian shares the importance of telling truthful narratives that will positively influence future generations and inspire people to work toward a common goal.
So true! Narratives that our students believe about themselves are so powerful.
Great videos. I agree that we talk about strengths and we challenge false narratives as an after thought, way after we’ve already spent time and energy hyper-focused on whatever “deficits” we are trying to fix… Those thought patterns are what drive our strategies, but they are incomplete and harmful without seeing the strengths of the child, family and community.
“How do we create equitable outcomes for all members of our community? We can start by defining people by their aspirations, not their challenges.”
This is a powerful quote.
I believe that narratives are important. Many of us have come under the false narrative that we “don’t have time” to hear and understand one another’s narrative. This feels pervasive. I like thinking about narratives overall and that identities are the roles that one plays within the narratives. I, too, have moved to strategy before really thinking about and focusing upon truthful narratives. The narrative is the foundation that strategies can come from.
Great videos. I loved the pieces on narratives.
These were the best videos I have seen so far from Frontlines! What we do as a district and society runs so counter to what Trabian Shorters is sharing.
“Asset-Framing” is powerful- I have not heard of it before. It only makes sense to always look at people, communities and everything in life from an asset-framing lens. I’m going to challenge myself to always do this and hopefully catch myself when I’m not.
I am moved by the narratives we create about ourselves and others and how we perpetuate the narratives. I am more moved by how we can change those narratives and it is our obligation to create truthful narratives.
If I’m walking across the street and you see me and you hate me so you intentionally run me over, that’s terrible. On the other hand, if I’m walking across the street and you’re not paying attention and you run me over, it doesn’t matter to me. The outcome is the same for me [I’m still dead!]
I love this as a clear illustration of how impact (literally?) matters more than intent.
Asset-Framing Narratives, what a great way to begin the return to in person learning.
I wasn’t familiar with asset-framing, and I’m grateful for Trabian Shorters’ crisp and helpful definition. I try to look at people not as “problems” but as humans with hopes and aspirations. However, like everyone, I’ve absorbed the messages about “problem” communities and “problem” people over the years. Mr. Shorters’ message is a good antidote to this thinking, and gives me a practical tool for keeping my mind on the right track. His discussion of narratives and identities also helped me.
Great video clips, depending on how narratives are taken, can make or break a person, their self-worth, self-esteem, whether they are resilient, etc. Narratives are so powerful one way or the other. Think and speak positive, be acceptant and understand black lives values and ethics.
Tragically negative narratives have certainly changed the minds of many viewers. Take time to talk to one another.
[…] Learn more about how the Skillman Foundation is using asset framing in their work with Detroit Children, and watch videos from Trabian Shorters, […]
The talk about looking at our narratives and deciding if they are true has left me thinking, which is good!
These videos were outstanding. It is a treat to listen to others explain the importannce of sharing thoughts feelings and research.
Asset framing works in the real world. Though I’m not in a position to approach the issue in exactly the same way that Trabian Shorters does, I do try to ask communities about their aspirations and share a more positive narrative when I get the opportunity. I sometimes feel like an involuntary Pollyanna because I’m forced to counteract hyper-negative narratives. If my audience was all sunshine and rainbows, I would probably push back the other way.
I’m coming to these videos a bit late, inspired by the recent On Being conversation between Krista Tippet and Trabian Shorters. If you have an opportunity to listen to this conversation on the podcast, it would be well worth your time. Asset framing is nothing less than revolutionary!
Engaging speaker, excellent and applicable to daily encounters with people we meet and interact with. I plan to share insight with my family & work cohorts.
Thank you.
[…] Resource Link: https://www.skillman.org/blog/the-power-of-asset-framing/ […]
[…] Learn more about how the Skillman Foundation is using asset framing in their work with Detroit Children, and watch videos from Trabian Shorters, founder and CEO of BMe Community, discuss how to put asset framing into practice. https://www.skillman.org/blog/the-power-of-asset-framing/ […]
I love the whole concept of asset re-framing-changing the narrative. I have battled mental health and addition disorders for after going through a devastating divorce. However, that doesn’t mean that that I’m a “crazy, alcoholic.” I am a whole person with aspirations toward greatness. I just happen to have struggle with mental health and addition disorders which are very manageable. I love the re-framing.
This is amazing, how to focus on a persons assets, abilities and value can help us reframe how we tend, support and advocate for them. I really enjoyed listening to Trabian and his in-depth wisdom on how to really see a person for who they are, to challenge the narrative and create a new positive and empowering one on behalf of those whom we serve as organizations, and how to come together in a much better way and form grander partnerships in order to advance our communities and those who we serve independently with our programs as non-profit organizations.
Thank you for sharing!
“Not defining people by their challenges” is a wonderful way to approach supporting and assisting individuals. I thought the statement about failing to address whatever is repeated to you, get absorbed by you.I am going to begin implementing this in my agency as we work with youth in our cae. Reframing the internal and external conversation is vitally important.