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PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
September 24, 2009

Contacts: Diana Velez-Griffen / Tel: (917) 743-8922 / dvgriffen@storycorps.org
Maria Reyes-Cano/ Tel:  (512) 789-8369 / maria@estradausa.com

Washington, D.C. — The renowned nonprofit oral history project StoryCorps today 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 (see tour schedule below). 

Reservations for sharing your stories during StoryCorps' Historias national tour can be made by calling 1-800-850-4406.

Historias Tour Schedule: 2009-2010

About the Corporation for Public Broadcasting

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), a private, nonprofit corporation created by Congress in 1967 develops educational public radio, television, and online services. The CPB is the industry's largest single source of funds for national public television and radio program development and production. The CPB, a grant making organization, funds more than 1,000 public radio and television stations. Visit www.cpb.org for more information.

About StoryCorps

StoryCorps is an independent nonprofit project whose mission is to honor and celebrate one another's lives through listening. Since 2003, tens of thousands of everyday people have interviewed family and friends through StoryCorps. Each conversation is recorded on a free CD to take home and share, and is archived for generations to come at the Library of Congress. Millions listen to the award-winning broadcasts on public radio and the Internet. Visit www.storycorps.org for more information.

PHOTO CAPTION:

StoryCorps today launched Historias, a groundbreaking initiative to record the life experiences of Latinos throughout the United States and Puerto Rico. Participants in the launch included: Patricia de Stacy Harrison, president and CEO of the Corporation for Public Broadcasting (CPB), who funded the Historias initiative; Dave Isay, founder and president of StoryCorps; U.S Representative Lucille Roybal-Allard (District 34, Los Angeles, CA). Photos of Southwest and East Coast Latino leaders available at: info@estradausa.com.

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