Zainab Daodu – Narrative Infrastructure: Storytelling to Grow Open Source #FOSSBack

In this talk, Zainab Daodu discusses the vital role of storytelling in building and sustaining open-source communities. She emphasizes that beyond code, shared narratives foster trust and a sense of belonging among contributors. Drawing from her experience with WriteTech Hub, Daodu illustrates how narrative infrastructure can align diverse contributors, enhance engagement, and promote long-term collaboration. She provides practical strategies for using storytelling to improve onboarding, strengthen contributor identity, and cultivate trust in open ecosystems, addressing the challenges of contributor burnout and disengagement. Attendees will gain valuable frameworks for leveraging narrative in communication, governance, and culture-building within their communities.