Challenge
In 2012, I was asked to manage a year-long project in conjunction with The Alameda County Public Health Department and StoryBridges (later Story For All) called the African American Oral History Project. My job was to find a group of young African-American men from Oakland and provide them with paid training in oral history methodology. After training, they went out into the community and interviewed other men from Oakland of various ages about their experiences.
Process
The first round was a hiring phase, where we recruited about thirty potential applicants. By the end of the process we had a handful of young men that committed to coming to trainings and doing field interviews. The team included several project facilitators and worked in partnership with the African American Male Achievement office at the Oakland Unified School District.
Outcome
The young men that completed their training gained valuable work experience that stands to benefit their professional and academic futures, if they so chose. The project was developed into a book and traveling museum exhibit. Participants and interview subjects were invited to a launch at the African American Museum of Oakland and it was featured in the Huffington Post and other media.
