StoryCorps is a nonprofit dedicated to recording, preserving, and sharing the stories of everyday people from all walks of life. At its core is a commitment to accessibility: anyone, anywhere nationwide, can record their story for free–either virtually or in person.
As a result of this work, StoryCorps has captured a wide array of voices and perspectives and with over 700,000 participants, its archive at the Library of Congress is the largest collection of human voices ever gathered.
In addition, past and present initiatives, such as Military Voices, StoryCorps Legacy, OutLoud, One Small Step, and Brightness in Black provide specific groups—veterans, LGBTQ+ individuals, those facing serious illness, and more—a platform to ensure their unique experiences are heard. Together with our other collection efforts, these programs help broaden StoryCorps' reach and impact, contributing to a collective and complementary tapestry of voices that represents the full diversity of American life.
In our commitment to collecting the diverse stories of American life and identities, StoryCorps engages in outreach for demographic-specific initiatives. This practice is common among archival organizations and serves to celebrate diversity, address the dominant narratives surrounding various races and affinity groups, and highlight the rich array of perspectives within each identity.
It is important to recognize that many archives have historically focused on predominant demographic viewpoints, which can lead to the neglect of vital stories that contribute to a comprehensive understanding of 21st-century life. As an organization, we strive to address this gap to ensure the preservation of these important voices and experiences.
For example, our Military Voices Initiative is specifically designed to foreground stories exclusively from veterans, active service members, and their family members. This focus is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the collection, and it would be inappropriate to include those without service connections or familial ties to the military. This applies to our other diverse initiatives, collections, and programs as well.
Conversely, as a nonprofit with limited resources, we are not able to create dedicated collections for every demographic group, however, we are committed to ensuring all voices are heard. We invite everyone in the country to share their story and help us build the most comprehensive and inclusive archive of American voices possible.