Marj Kleinman
Founder | Producer | Photographer | Filmmaker
Marj Kleinman (she/her) is a visual storyteller 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.Â
Marj was recently awarded the Eisner Prize Fellowship to develop an intergenerational streetgames program in 2024/25 and her film, "Stoop Chat with Jimmy & Shanaya" has been featured in 9 film festivals, winning 6 awards, including best documentary at The NYC Mental Health and Wellness Festival and two Anthem Awards for community engagement.
In addition to photography, Marj has more than 20 years of experience as a children’s content producer and writer, creating award-winning educational media with PBS KIDS, Sesame Workshop, Scholastic, and Noggin. Her photography and writing has been featured in The New York Times, Time Out New York, PBS Parents and Scary Mommy. She was also a contributing writer/photographer for Toca Boca Magazine, exploring the power of play and creativity in childhood. Marj holds an M.A. in Educational Psychology from New York University and a B.S. in Theater Management from Emerson College. She has taught theater to kids and photography to grown-ups. Marj is mom to a very feisty black cat named Blackberry.
