Upcoming Events
Storytelling in Practice: Films & Podcasts as Liberation
Virtual
Join us for a conversation with Kristal Sotomayor about the intersections of oral history, journalism, and filmmaking as acts of community and liberation. Kristal will share insights from their numerous films that touch on stories of immigration, queer identity, and community.
In this conversation, we’ll explore topics including:
- Filmmaking as an act of resistance and solidarity
- The production of “Expanding Sanctuary,” a film that amplifies the story of an immigrant mother (Linda Hernandez) who emerges as a community leader during the historic campaign to end the sharing of the Philadelphia police database with Immigration and Customs Enforcement
- Current participation in VOW’s Storyteller Initiative and Kristal’s shift to podcasting to explore the rise of water privatization in communities in Pennsylvania through firsthand oral histories.
Ask An Oral Historian: Trauma-Informed Interviewing
Virtual
Ask An Oral Historian consultation hours are your chance to dive into the intricacies of oral history and learn alongside fellow storytellers. Whether you’re wrestling with a current project or just curious about the craft, these monthly 60-minute working sessions are your space to grow and ask questions in an intimate, small-group setting.
In October, we’re exploring trauma-informed interviewing! It’s essential, it’s nuanced, and it’s at the heart of ethical oral history practice. Together, we’ll navigate the complexities of creating safe spaces for difficult conversations—and more importantly, how to support your narrators while gathering meaningful stories that honor their experiences. You’ll walk away with concrete strategies for recognizing trauma responses, techniques for building trust and establishing boundaries, and the confidence to conduct sensitive interviews with both compassion and professionalism.
Ask An Oral Historian: Ethical Storytelling
Virtual
Ask An Oral Historian consultation hours are your chance to dive into the intricacies of oral history and learn alongside fellow storytellers. Whether you’re wrestling with a current project or just curious about the craft, these monthly 60-minute working sessions are your space to grow and ask questions in an intimate, small-group setting.
In November, we’re tackling ethical storytelling! It’s fundamental, it’s complex, and it’s what separates responsible oral historians from mere collectors of stories. Together, we’ll examine the moral dimensions of sharing someone else’s narrative—and more importantly, how to navigate consent, representation, and power dynamics while creating stories that serve both your narrators and your audience. You’ll walk away with a solid framework for making ethical decisions throughout your project, practical tools for addressing representation challenges, and the insight to handle even the most morally complex storytelling situations with integrity and care.
