StoryCorps launches Historias.

StoryCorps launched Historias, a new initiative to record and preserve the experiences of Latinos throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Historias, which means ‘story’ in Spanish, will capture and celebrate the diversity of Latinos and their culture. The interviews are informal conversations between family members or close friends who share their life experiences and stories with one another.

“Since StoryCorps first started its work in 2003, the aim has been to create a growing portrait of who we are as a nation. At 50+ million strong, Hispanics represent 15 percent of the U.S. population and are the fastest-growing segment, which is why it is so important that we record and preserve their stories,” says StoryCorps Founder and President Dave Isay.
   
StoryCorps Historias is funded by the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB). “StoryCorps underscores that everyone has a story and each story counts,” said Patricia de Stacy Harrison, President and CEO of CPB. “It is one of the most innovative and authentic initiatives made possible by public service media and CPB is very proud to fund Historias.”
   
To ensure that Latino voices are made accessible to future generations, Historias interviews will be archived at the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. Selected interviews will air on Latino USA, an English-language news program broadcast in 31 states, NPR’s Morning Edition and public radio programs across the country. 
   
Community partners involved in this national initiative include the Latino Public Radio Consortium, Latino USA and the U.S. Latino and Latina World War II Oral History Project. StoryCorps also wishes to thank Bill Lynch Associates, LLC, for their assistance with StoryCorps Historias.
   
During the first year of Historias, StoryCorps will visit cities across the nation, partnering with local radio stations, cultural institutions and community-based organizations to collect nearly 1,000 stories throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico.