Oral history can democratize storytelling and contribute to narrative change. Sharing first-person stories from individuals and communities—in their own words—illuminates issues and events in a profoundly powerful way. We’ve seen oral history build connections, heal and support storytellers themselves, and advance justice through education and advocacy.
Oral history has a wide range of benefits and applications. Voice of Witness has worked with many different groups, organizations, educators, and practitioners in diverse fields to harness ethical storytelling to support their work. Reach out to collaborate with us!
By supporting partners to use personal narrative and oral history for change, we aim to inform long-term efforts to advance human rights and dignity. We envision a future where historically silenced communities’ stories are documented and uplifted in order to create a more inclusive, just world.
Recent Projects
East Bay Sanctuary Covenant
We have supported EBSC, an immigrant justice organization, in storytelling efforts for campaigns related to Temporary Protected Status, sanctuary cities, climate migration, Maya Mam community members, and more.
We have led multiple oral history trainings for the EBSC community, resulting in messages and stories that serve as effective strategic tools for immigration justice campaigns.
Koreatown Youth and Community Center
Voice of Witness collaborated with KYCC, a community-based organization in Los Angeles, to develop their Koreatown Storytelling Project, which focused on intergenerational story sharing between elders and high school students, and to create a collection of oral histories about the community history of LA’s MacArthur Park.
We led capacity building for their staff and community members through oral history trainings and curricular support.
Sonic Tablecloth
VOW ongoing project, Setting the Table: Stories of Food and Belonging, documents oral histories from immigrant community members, exploring the deep connections between food, culture, and connection. The stories will be shared at community events through an interactive “sonic tablecloth” that features audio vignettes activated by touch.
In a political climate of xenophobia, this project supports nuanced self-representation, celebrates immigrant joy, and facilitates education and connection.
More Collaborations in Action
Sequoia Living
Voice of Witness created an intergenerational storytelling project between Sequoia Living, a senior housing and services nonprofit, and local middle and high schoolers.
UCSF Memory and Aging Center
We conducted ethics-driven oral history trainings to increase health practitioners’ capacity for empathy and active listening, and supported their storytelling projects and events to build community and reduce stigma.
Warrior Women Project
VOW provided training for members of the Warrior Women Project to build interview skills and prepare to record stories from Indigenous elders at the 50th anniversary of the American Indian Movement’s Occupation of Wounded Knee.
League of Women Voters
We led a workshop for the League of Women Voters on the power of oral history and how they can use ethical, non-extractive storytelling practices in their work promoting democracy and civic engagement.
The Women’s Building
VOW co-hosted a “Storytelling for Immigrant Justice” listening session and solidarity event with The Women’s Building, building community and elevating the voices of immigrant and refugee community members.
Underground Scholars Initiative
We partnered with the Underground Scholars Initiative (USI) on storytelling to document the experiences of students impacted by the carceral system, highlighting barriers they still face and building community to reduce isolation.
National Museum of Puerto Rican Arts and Culture
We trained museum staff on oral history interviewing and ethical storytelling practices to build capacity for their upcoming project, Voices of Resilience: Puerto Rican Migration and Identity in Chicago.
Artists at Work
VOW’s professional development for Artists At Work explored ways to integrate oral history and ethical storytelling into artistic practices, supporting artists to gain skills for civic engagement and social impact.Work With Us
Voice of Witness offers expert storytelling and program support to organizations, educators, advocates, foundations, artists, and more. These collaborations harness the power of oral history to promote empathy, community, learning, and action. We work with partners to develop customized, interactive projects, workshops, and activities, using our award-winning oral history methodology to advance your mission.
