Stoop Stories Collective

Marj Kleinman (she/her) is an award-winning visual storyteller, recent Eisner Prize Fellow, and the founder of Stoop Stories, a community collective that connects New Yorkers through documentary storytelling and programs, with a mission to increase social connection, preserve neighborhood stories, and revitalize communities through stoop culture and intergenerational connections. As a proud native Brooklynite still living in her childhood brownstone, she is deeply committed to passing on her parents’ legacy of 1970’s Brooklyn stoop life. 

Bridget Bartolini, founder of Five Boro Story Project, is an oral historian, socially engaged artist, educator, writer, and native New Yorker who hails from the beautiful borough of Queens. She feels lucky to have grown up with a stoop where family and friends gathered to shoot the breeze.

Brandon Denny is a senior at Hunter College pursuing dual bachelor's degrees in Film Production and Mathematics.

Evan Li is a New York City-based filmmaker and visual storyteller with a BFA in Film Production from Brooklyn College. With a strong background in cinematography, editing, and documentary work, Evan brings a thoughtful, collaborative approach to every project. He has worked across a range of roles—Director of Photography, Producer, Editor, and Sound Mixer—on independent films and documentaries.

Yan Mengyu is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker who has 7 years experience working in documentaries, scripted films and social media as a cinematographer, director and editor...

Andrea A. Resendiz Gomez is a multilingual creative based in the New York City area. She has contributed to productions and large-scale events across the city, working in roles including event manager, production assistant, talent coordinator, and artist liaison.

Talia Krausz is a filmmaker, photographer, social media wiz, and lifelong learner. Raised in New York, she’s always appreciated the city’s rich diversity and creative spirit—but her love of storytelling has also taken her around the world, where she seeks out meaningful exchanges with people from all walks of life.

Stephanie Y. Cole is a storyteller and native New Yorker who loves leadership philosophy, self-help books, science/fantasy fiction, classic comedy, salsa dancing and calypso music.   Her love runs deep for Old School Soul Music (vinyl format preferred), and she lives, works and podcasts from Harlem, New York City.

Ben is a Brooklyn-based filmmaker who currently works primarily in post-production....

Amelia Magel is a born and raised New Yorker and recently graduated from GW with a journalism and film degree.

Jennifer Peck is a dedicated educator and community builder with a passion for enriching the lives of students of all ages. With a Master’s Degree in Education from Lehman College and a BA in History from Fisk University, Jennifer brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to her role as an ELA & Social Studies teacher...

Lirie is an experienced freelance project manager for creative, digital and tech workflows. She is passionate about partnering with creatives and thought leaders to create impactful solutions for our communities. https://www.linkedin.com/in/lirie-vanschaik

Danielle (she/her) is a native Brooklynite with over 3 years of experience in the non-profit arts world.

Samantha Garcia is a Bronx native and New York–based filmmaker, photographer, and emerging creative director whose work captures moments of fashion, community connection through visual media. She’s a multidisciplinary creator who works across theatre production, design, acting, cinematography, directing, post-production, videography, and photography while writing and directing films, campaigns, and documentaries that amplify voices through visual storytelling. She is passionate about learning new things.

Katie Godowski is a product photographer and freelance photographer based in Brooklyn, New York. She loves to photograph humans on the streets fighting for change at protests, street artists making the city colorful and families just embracing the beauty of the world...

James Martinez Amaro is a senior at Hunter College pursuing a Bachelor's degree in Film along with a Business Certificate and a minor in Media Studies.

Shanaya Perkins is a New York City-based filmmaker. She is a senior at Lehman College, double majoring in Psychology and Film Studies...

Amaya Whitehead-Bust is a senior in high school from Denver, Colorado. She is thrilled to be supporting Stoop Stories with photography, videography, research, and outreach before starting at Vassar College in the fall. Amaya has a passion for food justice and agriculture, has worked on multiple farms, and is excited to explore the intersection of storytelling, land, and place-making. In her free time, she loves to collage, play her drums, and perform in plays!