This session will explore how the psychology and practice of storytelling in the corporate learning and development space can be used to foster empathy, debunk discomfort around discussions of DEI, and build power within underrepresented communities. Identity-focused narratives, and the claim that both form and substance of scholarship are closely connected, is a central theme of Critical Race Theory (CRT). According to CRT scholar Richard Delgado, “Stories provide members of outgroups a vehicle for psychic self-preservation,” adding that “The exchange of stories from teller to listener can help overcome ethnocentrism.” The goal in exploring both the psychology and practice of storytelling in the workplace is to equip learners with the skills to use the narrative framework; explore how we want our audience to think, feel, and act; and create a space using breakouts to practice crafting our stories to inspire, convince, and build connections within our organizations. Through this, we can steer transformation towards more equitable and inclusive organizational leadership by facilitating more frequent and intentional exchanges of empathy-building, identity-centered narratives.