Successful neighborhood revitalization and community development efforts are as much about the stories we tell as the strategies we advance. Residents, particularly legacy residents, must be at the center in both cases. This session will explore how storytelling can affirm the agency and resilience of neighbors and community partners to shift perceptions, build trust, and strengthen connections. Participants will learn accessible frameworks and strategies that can lead to creative, powerful stories rooted in residents' and neighborhoods' power, aspirations, and vision for the future.