The Strangers Project

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The Strangers Project

50,000+ anonymous true stories written spontaneously by Strangers. Insta:

Book: http://amzn.com/0062386875 Hi there! These are our lives.

My name is Brandon and I'm collecting your stories. In 2009 I was sitting outside of a coffee shop in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Hundreds of people were walking past the table, and as usual, I was curious about the lives of everyone walking past. An idea crossed my mind—what would it take to get these anonymous strangers to share something about their life with me? What did we have in common besides both being strangers? I took a marker and the notebook I had been writing in and wrote in large, blocky letters: “Hi There! Please stop by and share your story!” I felt a little silly propping it up on the table at first. I had no idea how people would react. Within the first minute two young women stopped at my table and pointed at the impromptu sign.

“What are you doing?” they asked.

“I don’t know, actually…” I replied, “but would you mind writing something about your lives in this notebook? It can be anything as long as it’s true!”

While they were writing, more people stopped and asked about the sign. Within an hour about a dozen people had shared a piece of their lives with me. I went home to read the stories, having no idea what they shared. By the time I finished, I was hooked. I knew I had to go back out again the following day. What I didn’t know is just how far this project would take me… and here we are 20,000+ stories later. I ask people to write about anything they want—as long as it’s true. The result is a mosaic of stories from the lives happening around us at every moment. These are our friends, our families, and people we’ve never spoken to. Every moment billions of stories are unfolding—this is a glimpse into some of those things we may normally not notice. It’s important for us to both share and hear stories from the people we share our space with. I believe that when people are given the opportunity to have a voice we can explore the connections that make us human. Every day we visit work, school, cities and businesses. We sit next to one another on trains, on buses and in cars. We take care of our families and friends, and of ourselves. Every day, we choose what we expose to one another. I believe that it is our capacity for being human that is truly our great equalizer. For a moment, it doesn’t matter if you’re a business person, a student, a homeless person, a secretary, a teacher, a child, a doctor, a traveler, a mother or a father—we all share something common. We can be people and we can invite those around us in, and for a moment, we can share something real. Every person that you pass on the street has a story to share. We are all just waiting for the right time for someone else to listen.

23/12/2025

From the walls of the Strangers Project. This space is for you.

Come share your final stories of 2025!

21/12/2025

From the walls of the Strangers Project. This space is for you.

End of the year is approaching—come share your last stories of 2025!

20/12/2025

Hey everyone — Brandon here.
The end and beginning of the year have always been some of my favorite times to collect stories, so I’m extending my hours for a bit.

I also wanted this post to be a simple anchor you can come back to so you can check the current schedule, see how to find the space, and share with anyone you think might want to come be part of the project.

✨ Save this post! I’ll keep the caption updated with the most current hours.

⏰ CURRENT SCHEDULE

Extended weekend:
Saturday, Dec 20 — 11 AM – 7 PM
Sunday, Dec 21 — 11 AM – 7 PM

🗓️ Regular schedule:

Thursday–Sunday — 2 PM – 6:30 PM

📍Where to find the exhibit:

Inside the World Trade Center Oculus
South Concourse, Main Level

🗺️ Easiest path:

From the main floor of the Oculus, look for the South Concourse hallway (opposite the Apple Store). Follow it around the bend until you see a wall of stories in the windows — that’s it!

💰Cost: FREE (Donations always welcomed and encouraged to help keep the project going!)

Hope to see you — and please share this post so others can find the space! I’d be so grateful.

This space is for you.

18/12/2025

From the walls of the Strangers Project. This space is for you.

08/12/2025

From the walls of the Strangers Project

15/11/2025

From the walls of the strangers project.

14/11/2025

I’m sitting here at the exhibit, and about ten minutes ago a young girl came up to the desk. She couldn’t have been older than 10. She seemed nervous, but she still walked right over. I asked if she wanted to write a story, and she told me she already had—she’d found the comment cards on the other side of the room and wrote on one of those. She handed it to me, and I thanked her for writing.

I never read stories in front of people for their privacy, but I took a look after she left.

I doubt she’ll ever see this, but wow… how incredibly brave it is to share thoughts like these with the world. Even though she was nervous to approach me, she still did it. That’s a kind of bravery anyone can look up to, especially when you’re feeling the things she wrote about.

People like her inspire me to be brave, too. I’ve felt all of those same feelings at different points in my life, but I wasn’t always brave enough to say so.

I hope this kid comes back and shares an update in a year, in ten years, and beyond. I have a feeling she’s going to make some beautiful art for the world.

Address

185 Greenwich St

10007

Website

http://strangersproject.com/

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