Voice of Witness

At age 14, Luz Hernandez left her home country of Honduras to cross borders into the U.S. She was fleeing poverty, sexual abuse, and medical malpractice. The journey was harrowing and so was making a new start in the U.S. Eventually, Luz became a social worker and now offers youth and families the support she had needed when she arrived. In the second episode of our two-part series created with Voice of Witness, host Maya Rupert talks to Luz about grit and determination, hope and belonging, and why hearing directly from immigrants is crucial to understanding the topic of immigration. Listen to Good Things from Lemonada Media here:https://lnkd.in/gRiGD27u

FELLOWSHIP opportunity from the organization Voice of Witness to support oral historians, artists, and narrative changemakers to develop their own projects. Check it out! https://lnkd.in/gwC4Q9x7

How do stories help us challenge, shape, and navigate our democracy? In this two-part series created with Voice of Witness, we’ll explore oral histories as powerful tools of resistance and belonging. In this first episode, host Maya Rupert sits down with Ashley Hemmers, NPM, MPA, a member of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, whose path winds from growing up on her reservation to attending Yale to returning home again. Now a tribal administrator, Ashley shares how storytelling is both a bridge to the past and a pathway to her tribe’s future. This episode is created in partnership with Voice of Witness, an oral history nonprofit that advances human rights by amplifying the stories of people impacted by—and fighting against—injustice. Listen to Good Things from Lemonada Media here:https://lnkd.in/gRiGD27u

?? Deadline: The Storyteller Initiative application closes on December 1st! This unique fellowship program supports oral historians, documentarians, artists, and narrative changemakers from historically marginalized communities to develop their own projects. Voice of Witness provides training, guidance, and $10k in funding for fellows. The program aims to expand the kinds of stories that get told, strengthen community-rooted projects, and contribute to movements for justice. Read the FAQs and apply via our website: https://lnkd.in/eZDiTUSg Know someone who might be interested? Send it their way!

?? Episode two of our podcast pilot is out now!?We're exploring oral history as a tool for resistance and belonging. In this episode, host Maya Rupert talks to Luz Hernandez about determination, hope, and community—and why hearing directly from immigrants is more crucial than ever. At age 14, Luz left her home country of Honduras to cross borders into the U.S. She was fleeing poverty, sexual abuse, and medical malpractice. Eventually, Luz became a social worker and now offers youth and families the support she wished she had when she arrived. ? Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts: https://lnkd.in/eeifS-kF ?? You can read Luz's full oral history in the Voice of Witness book “Solito, Solita,” along with the powerful oral histories of fourteen other youth refugees from Central America: https://lnkd.in/enb-HkXP #Podcast #Storytelling #Immigration #WelcomeWithDignity

TODAY: Join us for a webinar on Beginning Again: Stories of Movement and Migration in Appalachia. This multi-year oral history project documents the experiences of refugees, migrants, and generations-long residents in the region. How can we create belonging and connection in the face of displacement, stereotypes, and inequality? Register here to tune in at 4pm PT / 7pm ET: https://lnkd.in/e2zX82b4 “In a region historically marred by displacement and stereotypes, these poignant first-person narratives reveal a stunning, multidimensional Appalachia, a chosen home that illustrates the power of belonging.” —Appalshop, Inc #OralHistory #Storytelling #Immigration #Appalachia Haymarket Books

What does “trauma-informed” mean or look like in action? Our latest resource explores and outlines 10 key trauma-informed practices for storytelling. These principles apply to many types of community-based, interview-based, or relational work. Whether you’re a journalist, teacher, lawyer, organizer, healthcare professional, or artist, these concepts can help guide your interactions. ? Read, download, and share the resource here: https://lnkd.in/eJsj7D2D

VOW is excited to announce our podcast pilot! With Lemonada Media , we're exploring oral history as a tool for resistance and belonging. How do stories help us challenge, shape, and navigate our democracy? ?? The first episode is out now. Host Maya Rupert sits down with Ashley Hemmers, NPM, MPA, a member of the Fort Mojave Indian Tribe. Ashley's path took her from growing up on her reservation to attending Yale then returning home again. Now a tribal administrator, Ashley shares how storytelling is both a bridge to the past and a pathway to her tribe’s future. Listen here or wherever you get your podcasts: https://lnkd.in/exZTMYx6 ?? You can read Ashley’s full oral history in the Voice of Witness book How We Go Home, along with the powerful stories of eleven other Indigenous narrators fighting for justice: https://lnkd.in/eBf8ghRu #Podcast #Storytelling #NativeAmericanHeritageMonth

Can't think of a better way to start a Monday than in conversation with Katrina Powell about her book, Beginning Again: Stories of Movement and Migration from Voice of Witness and Haymarket Books! Join us for this virtual and free event. ??

Thank you to University of California, Santa Cruz for inviting Voice of Witness staff to present on our work using oral history for education and justice! VOW's executive director Natasha R. Johnson, JD/RYT and education specialist Jessica Fagen discussed ethical storytelling practices, using oral history for civic engagement, and tools for developing active listening skills with the 400+ students and teachers attending. ? Interested in having VOW speak at your school, organization, or event? DM us or reach out via our website.