For Immediate Release: July 19, 2007

StoryCorps Griot Project to Record
African American Oral Histories in Oakland

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(Oakland, CA)—African Americans are invited to share and preserve their stories as part of StoryCorps Griot, a one-year initiative to gather and preserve in sound the life stories of African American families across the country. StoryCorps Griot is working in partnership with the African American Museum & Library at Oakland (AAMLO, 659 14th Street) to record stories from 11am to 4pm on these dates: August 17 & 31, and September 1. StoryCorps Griot especially wants to record veterans of World War II and persons who were active in the Civil Rights Movement of the 1950s and 60s.

A StoryCorps interview is a 40-minute conversation between two people who know each other. A trained facilitator will be present throughout the interview process to ensure a comfortable and meaningful experience, and to handle all technical aspects of the recording. Participants receive a broadcast-quality audio CD, and with your permission, copies will go to the American African Museum & Library at Oakland, Folklife Center at the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. Segments of the interviews may also air on National Public Radio affiliate, 91.7 KALW-FM.

To learn more and to sign up to tell your story, call AAMLO at 510.637.0200. For more information about this project, visit www.storycorpsgriot.net. For general library information, visit the Library's Web site at www.oaklandlibrary.org. Please refrain from wearing scented products. The Oakland Public Library is a department of the City of Oakland.

PHOTOS AVAILABLE by request.

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