“The Conversation of a Lifetime”
The very first thing that popped after checking out the StoryCorps website is their tag line, “The Conversation of a Lifetime.” What a statement. While conversations are flying rampant on the Internet these days, it’s very rare that we read “conversations” for good; that tell a story, that you can learn from, that can give you that warm and fuzzy feeling. StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit project whose mission is to honor and celebrate one another’s lives through listening.
By recording the stories of real people, anyone can share their own personal story, their experiences, history, hopes, and dreams. As noted on the StoryCorps website, Since 2003, tens of thousands of everyday people have interviewed family and friends through StoryCorps. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to take home and share, and is archived for generations to come at the Library of Congress. Millions of enthusiasts listen to StoryCorps’ award-winning broadcasts on public radio and the Internet. StoryCorps is one of the largest oral history projects of its kind, creating a growing portrait of who we really are as Americans.
The public can listen to any of hundreds of stories, drawn from the more than 17,000 conversations recorded across the country. Just press the “play” button next to each image; if the story moves you, pass it along using the share link. StoryCorps produces a few weekly broadcasts on NPR’s Morning Edition and News & Notes, and if you are still wanting more you can:
- Subscribe to our podcast
- Sign up for Listen Closely to receive the latest stories by weekly email
- Check out their non-profit channel on YouTube
- Listen to an audio intro to StoryCorps
StoryCorps collaborates with groups, organizations, and institutions all over the country so that the common public can learn more about each organization’s current non-profit, environmental, educational, and philanthropic efforts. Some organizations that StoryCorps currently supports are (as noted on the StoryCorps web site):
The Griot Initiative
StoryCorps Griot is an ongoing initiative to ensure that the voices, experiences, and life stories of African Americans will be preserved and presented with dignity. All interviews recorded as part of the Griot Initiative will be archived at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History & Culture in addition to the Library of Congress.
Memory Loss Initiative
In 2006, StoryCorps launched an initiative to reach out to people affected by memory loss. Our aim is to support and encourage people with memory loss to share their stories. The project is guided by an Advisory Board of nationally recognized leaders in the field of memory loss, and all interviews are facilitated by our specially trained staff.
September 11th Initiative
In 2005, StoryCorps began a special initiative to honor and remember the stories of September 11, 2001: the stories of survivors, rescue workers, and all those most personally and immediately affected by September 11th. With permission, interviews become part of the collection at the National September 11 Memorial and Museum, in addition to the Library of Congress.
Mobile Tour Outreach
StoryCorps partners with numerous community-based organizations on our Mobile Tour. The StoryCorps interview is an opportunity to highlight voices often missed in our society, and to ensure their stories are passed on to future generations. We work with our Community Partners to record and preserve the stories of the various communities they serve.
New York City Outreach
We provide access to the StoryCorps experience by partnering with New York communities that may otherwise encounter barriers to participation. Through Community Partnerships, hundreds of New Yorkers and New York City organizations have recorded interviews, reflecting a wide variety of voices and creating a growing portrait of who we are as Americans.
Nashville Outreach
StoryCorps builds relationships with Nashville organizations that work with us to bring groups of new participants to our Nashville StoryBooth to record their stories. These partnerships are valuable to us and help to ensure that a wide array of people have the opportunity to participate in StoryCorps
Support our initiatives
Make a donation now to help keep StoryCorps accessible to everyone. Or become a sponsor to support StoryCorps and its initiatives. If you are interested in becoming a major donor or corporate underwriter, please call Heather Burke, Development Manager, at 646-723-7020, ext. 12
