Veterans Launch National Storytelling Tour, Opening in Chicago on April 11
Minority Veterans of America (MVA) and The Chamberlain Network (TCN) announced the launch of Our Stories, Our Truth: A National Tour Honoring the Legacy of Us, a national storytelling tour that invites the public into deeper connection with underrepresented veterans through their lived experiences. Each stop on the tour will spotlight and honor a different veteran identity group. The tour opens in Chicago on Saturday, April 11, 2026, at the American Writers Museum, 180 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601, centering the stories of Transgender Service Members, Veterans, and Families.
A National Tour at a Critical Moment
Our Stories, Our Truth is a six-month, multi-city journey across the United States. At each stop, minority veterans — those too often erased from dominant narratives — will share their stories of service, identity, and community. Programs will feature a mix of local voices and national speakers, and stories shared at each stop will be captured on video for distribution to communities nationwide.
The tour launches amid a moment of increasing national division and harmful narratives about identity, patriotism, and who belongs. MVA and TCN designed Our Stories, Our Truth to offer something different: a chance for communities to understand one another not through debates or headlines, but through the power of human story.
"We are honoring the legacy, service, and sacrifice of those whose stories are often missing or intentionally erased from history. Veterans come from all walks of life and lived experience. By highlighting the stories of minority veterans, we are expanding the narrative to include us all," said Lindsay Church, Executive Director, Minority Veterans of America.
"Veterans take care of each other. It’s an ethos that we carry with us from our time in service. Veterans of every background served this country, and their stories deserve to be heard. That's what this tour is about." — Chris Purdy, CEO & Founder, The Chamberlain Network
First Stop Chicago
The Chicago opening session will spotlight the lived experiences of Transgender Service Members, Veterans, and Families — a community that has faced both the demands of military service and the distinct challenges of navigating identity, belonging, and visibility in the United States. Their stories of courage, sacrifice, and resilience are central to the American military tradition, yet are rarely reflected in dominant narratives of service.
The event is hosted in collaboration with trusted local grassroots organizations and will feature a program of personal storytelling from both local community members and national speakers.
Event Details
What: Our Stories, Our Truth — National Storytelling Tour, Chicago Opening Session When: Saturday, April 11, 2026 | 5pm – 7pm CT Where: American Writers Museum, 180 North Michigan Ave, Chicago, IL 60601 Admission: $5 and open to the public. Donations welcome. More information: https://givebutter.com/ourstoriestour-chicago
