Elevating Asian Voices Through Digital Storytelling
- ASIANetwork Institution: Webster University
- Community Partner: Japanese American Citizens League in St. Louis
- Year I (2024-25)
- Project summary: This project is a partnership between the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL) St. Louis Chapter and Webster University to build upon an existing collection of Japanese American oral histories by expanding the scope of oral histories and storytelling to the wider AAPI community. The project aims to integrate students into community-led initiatives by working with partners to elevate the diversity of AAPI stories in and around the St. Louis region. This initiative involves two key components. First, the collection of oral histories: by working with the community, we seek to raise awareness and draw attention to the complexities within the AAPI community, paying special attention to those voices that are overshadowed and not generally heard. Students will be trained in oral history methodologies and work closely with JACL to interview AAPI individuals who are willing to share their stories with the public. This process will teach students to think critically about how we can work with and alongside communities to elevate their stories rather than speak for them. Second, the collection of creative works: as a supplement to the stories, the team will also collect creative works that explore racial and ethnic identity, reflect nuanced points of view, reveal personal histories, and contribute to a vision for a greater understanding of Asian Americans. The project team plans to distribute these creative works across a range of platforms to bring visibility to the AAPI community in the region.
- Project Poster (April 2024)
- Project Poster (March 2025)
- Project Book (May 2025)
