Virtual Veritas Vignettes 

Session 5 with Natasha Tarpley, AB '93.

Stories Change Lives: Writing Impactful Stories that Uplift and Inspire Young Readers

Virtual Veritas Vignettes, a year-long storytelling series that brings our community together through the power of narrative. Each quarter, our alumni experts will equip alumni with practical tools to capture, craft, and share their personal and collective stories through various mediums—children’s books, memoirs, podcasts, and TEDx mini-series. Each three-month session focuses on a different storytelling medium, fostering skill-building, collaboration, and self-expression.

FIFTH SESSION with Natasha Tarpley

 

VVV Leader: Natasha Tarpley, Harvard College 1993.
Session Title:  Stories Change Lives: Writing Impactful Stories that Uplift and Inspire Young Readers (Memoir / Children's Books)

When: January 2026 - March 2026
* Sunday, January 18, 6:00 - 7:00 PM (EST)
* Sunday, February 15, 6:00 - 7:00 PM (EST)

* Sunday, March 15, 6:00 - 7:00 PM (EST)

The books we read as children are portals that connect us to real and imagined worlds beyond our everyday experiences and, most importantly, inspire us to discover ourselves. In this hands-on workshop, participants will draw from their own childhood memories to create a first draft of a short picture book manuscript, or refine a draft of a children’s manuscript (any format) already in progress. We’ll go through the creation process from brainstorming ideas to publication. Using our favorite picture books as examples, we’ll identify effective storytelling techniques, and offer constructive feedback on one another’s work. Woven throughout our work will be a discussion of how narratives impact our lives, especially as people of color, and the types of portals and stories we want to create for our children.   

COST: $200 
LOCATION: Zoom, a link will be sent to paid registrants
DEADLINE: Register before Wednesday, January 7th
MAX class size: 20 people

Speaker Bio:

Natasha Tarpley is an acclaimed writer and creator whose captivating narratives span across television, film, podcasts, and award-winning books. With a remarkable ability to craft engaging stories for diverse audiences, Natasha is the visionary behind "The Invisibles," an upcoming Audible Original children's mystery podcast, and holds unannounced development deals for two original preschool animated TV series with Disney Jr. and Sesame Workshop. Her impactful work includes writing the culminating episode of Disney Junior's anti-racism series, "Rise Up, Sing Out," and co-creating the acclaimed two-season children's mystery podcast, "Opal Watson, Private Eye."

Beyond her prolific media career, Natasha is the author of numerous celebrated children's books, including the bestselling classic I Love My Hair! and the popular Keyana Loves... series. Her forthcoming works include the multi-book supernatural series Finders & Seekers from Penguin Random House, demonstrating her expansive creative range. Natasha's deep understanding of narrative structure, character development, and audience engagement is evident in every project she touches. Join Natasha Tarpley for a master class that will unlock your creative potential and guide you in crafting compelling stories for any platform.

Why Virtual Veritas Vignettes: Our stories are our legacy. By joining this initiative, you become part of a larger movement to preserve and elevate Black narratives—both personal and shared—within and beyond Harvard. Rooted in HBAS's mission, this initiative strengthens connections among Black Harvard alumni while preserving and amplifying our narratives.

At a time when Black history is being challenged and erased, this program empowers alumni to document their truths, celebrate shared experiences, and contribute to a legacy of storytelling that enriches both the Harvard and broader Black communities. By providing a structured platform for storytelling, Virtual Veritas Vignettes embodies the HBAS mission creating a forum for engagement, mentorship, and impact that enhances the alumni experience across generations.