Unleashing the Power of Storytelling for Positive Change
The Write A Great Story Foundation began its journey as the Storyteller Foundation in 2020, with a mission to elevate the human experience through stories that inspire and encourage. Founded by David Kirkpatrick, a former production chief at Walt Disney Studios, the foundation was initially established under the Family University Foundation. From the outset, it provided $160,000 in scholarships to 120 emerging writers, supporting them in crafting impactful narratives under the mentorship of industry professionals.
The foundation’s programs are tailored to the individual needs of each writer, offering one-on-one mentoring, group sessions, and retreats. As writers advance in their careers, the foundation continues to support them, helping to secure agents or managers and guiding them toward sustainable careers in publishing, television, and film.
A key inspiration behind the foundation is the story of Harper Lee and her iconic novel, To Kill a Mockingbird. In 1956, Lee was given a year’s financial support by her friends Michael and Joy Brown, allowing her to focus entirely on her writing. This gift resulted in the creation of one of the most influential novels of the 20th century, a book that has shaped discussions on race, justice, and morality for generations. The foundation sees this as a powerful example of how financial and mentorship support can unlock a writer’s potential to make a profound impact on society.
As of July 2024, the Write a Great Story Foundation has taken a significant step forward by becoming an independent entity incorporated under California law. Through this evolution, the foundation remains steadfast in its mission to change the culture by changing the stories we tell, fostering a vibrant community of creatives dedicated to making a positive impact on society.
From the motion picture, To Kill a Mockingbird (C) Universal Pictures
Meet the Board
President
Donna Stevens Kehl
Dr. Donna Stevens Kehl, Ed.D., is a writer, educator, and the founder of H.O.P.E Theatre Academy, Inc. An educator for 22 years, she currently teaches English classes for special needs students and is launching Drama classes through H.O.P.E. Theatre Academy.
Donna has directed numerous large-scale theatre productions for her students, such as Little Mermaid, Jr. and Alice in Wonderland. In 2021, she graduated from the University of La Verne’s Doctor of Organizational Leadership program. Donna’s published Doctoral Dissertation explores how involvement in theatre arts helps to improve social functioning skills in adolescents with autism spectrum disorder in middle school. Her research led to the founding of H.O.P.E. (Hands-On Performance Educational) Theatre Academy, which focuses on individuals with autism and other special needs and individuals recovering from homelessness, helping them become involved in theatre arts.
Through her writing, Donna encourages people to find forgiveness, healing, and acceptance that restores families. She strives to create a conversation about homelessness and the healing power of the arts.
Donna seeks to cultivate bodies of work that promote service to humanity and help others achieve their potential, which drives her passion for serving on the board of the Write A Great Story Foundation.
"I've taught thousands of students lessons of struggle and endurance through the works of Harper Lee, Maya Angelou, and Langston Hughes. The stories stand the test of time and teach us the lessons of the past that build our futures. I am honored to be part of the Write a Great Story Foundation, as I believe in lifting diverse writers' voices and stories that enlighten and unite humanity."
Treasurer
David Paul Kirkpatrick
David is the former production chief of Walt Disney Studios and the former president of Paramount Pictures.
Throughout his career, he worked on more than 200 motion pictures and their screenplays, including such global franchises as Indiana Jones and Star Trek. He has guided countless adaptions of books and plays to movies including Forrest Gump, Elephant Man, Ordinary People, and Terms of Endearment. He is an Emmy and Golden Globe recipient for his HBO production of Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny.
David is a believer in giving back, wanting to inspire and equip the writers of tomorrow, believing fiction is an underutilized tool that can help build a better world.
The founder of Story Summit and the Write a Great Story Foundation, David feels that "Outside fresh water, story is the most important thing to human sustenance. To promote emerging writers is so important to the human ecosystem."
Board Member
Rosa Salazar
Rosa Salazar was the head writer of the successful multiple character series in Mexico, Mujer Casos de la Vida Real for eleven years. The show was a cultural sensation and continues to air in more than twelve countries.
In recent years as a writer-producer, Rosa has given life to Televisa’s highest rated prime time programming, breaking audience records with critically acclaimed shows like Absimo de Pasion and Lo Que la Vida me Robo, a program for which she won an award for Best Adaption in 2014.
Rosa also penned the best-selling non-fiction book, Rituales para el Amor, la Belleza y la Prosperidad. Rosa has written an enormous 6,000 hours of programming.
Rosa serves on the foundation because "Every writer needs someone to believe in them. This is what Write a Great Story Foundation does, believe and nourish writers; and this is why it so important for me to be a part of it."
Secretary
Stacey Powells
Stacey Powells is a writer, journalist, playwright, and co-host of Slightly Filtered.
She previously worked in music licensing for Paramount Pictures for nearly 20 years.
Stacey graduated from HSU with a degree in Theatre/Playwriting and began her career with Paramount, where she licensed music for television shows such as Happy Days, Laverne and Shirley, Entertainment Tonight, and the first Arsenio Hall Show. The Jim Henson Company and Multicom Entertainment are still clients of hers.
Stacey’s book of personal essays, Empty Cupboards, reached #1 on Amazon in several categories. She is the 2020 Jeff Arch Fellowship winner. Her play, Stirrups, was showcased at the 2016 New York Theatre Festival and has been produced in several small theaters. She’s written for Island’s Magazine, Divulge Magazine, Santa Clarita Living, and The Eastern Sierra Wedding Guide.
Stacey is drawn to the Write A Great Story Foundation because she feels "there is nothing more intentional than being a part of a foundation whose purpose is to help writers find their voice, tell their stories, and share with the world their experiences and wisdom through their words."
Board Member
Sadeqa Johnson
Sadeqa is a New York Times Bestselling author of five novels, a passionate public speaker and writing coach. She teaches for the MFA program at Drexel University and is a writing instructor for Story Summit.
Her most recent novel, The House of Eve was an instant New York Times Best Seller, Target book club pick, Reese’s Book Club selection and nominated for a NAACP Image Award. Her previous novel, Yellow Wife, was named by Oprah Magazine as “27 of 2021 Most Anticipated Winter Historical Fiction books.” Yellow Wife was also a 2021 Goodreads Choice Award finalist for historical fiction, a 2022 Hurston/Wright Foundation Legacy finalist, a BCALA Literary Honoree, the Library of Virginia’s Literary People’s Choice Award winner, and a Barnes & Noble book club pick in paperback.
Sadeqa’s novels have received starred reviews from Kirkus and Library Journal and have been featured in top reads lists by NBC News.com, Good Housekeeping, Christian Science Monitor, Reader’s Digest, Off The Shelf, W Magazine, Country Living, Hollywood Life, Parade, She Reads, and many others.
Sadeqa lives by the African Proverb, "Each One, Teach One," which drives her to give back to writers through the Write A Great Story Foundation. "I believe everyone is creative and I am committed to opening the gate wide and offering everyone who wants to write, the opportunity to be in community with excellent teachers, learn from creative mentors, and be exposed to the writing industry as a whole."