Have you ever wondered about experiences Black elders in your family have had but never shared? Now is your opportunity to make sure those stories don’t get lost.
Elders are aging, younger generations need their stories, and sharing them strengthens our bonds. But there’s also a more urgent reason to collect Black oral histories: a coordinated effort is underway to erase Black contributions, disappear our stories, and sanitize the nation’s history.
That’s why Capital B is building an archive of Black oral history, powered by you, with stories told in your voices and words. We’re inviting people across generations to record and reflect on the lessons they’ve learned and moments they bore witness to. These stories will be preserved in a public online archive, where they’ll provide an accurate picture of Black life and history for generations to come.
While you’re gathered with family this holiday season, we invite you to reflect on the past with a cherished elder in your life and add their voice to this archive of Black history. Sit down with them and record their reflections on the moments that shaped their lives and our collective history. Or share your own story with us directly.
Share Your Stories
In the video submission form below, you will be presented with four questions, one at a time.
Once you’re presented with the question, you can share your video response from either your phone or desktop computer. Click the “Record your answer” button after each question to begin. Once you’ve answered the four questions, select “Submit” at the end of the form. Have questions about sharing your video? Email us at ask@capitalbnews.org.
FAQ
Where will the story I record be published?
If you send in your story, we’ll consider it for inclusion in Black oral history archive — a public, online collection of Black histories collected from across the country. The goal of the archive is to build an enduring record of Black history that is accessible to everyone, and that can’t be erased by those seeking to diminish Black contributions to this country.
When will the archive be available, and who will be able to access it?
The Black oral history archive will be publicly available by summer 2026.
How else will my story be used? And will I be notified if it’s used for other purposes?
In addition to potential inclusion in the archive, we may also feature your story on Capital B’s website, in which case we may reach out to you for more details. Your stories may also appear in our newsletters, events, on our social media platforms, or as part of partnerships with other media or civic organizations.
Will my story be edited?
We may lightly edit videos for clarity or formatting, but our first priority will always be to preserve your voice and authenticity.
Can I submit stories anonymously?
Entries must be submitted with a name and location so that we can properly attribute the story.
Who can participate?
If you or a loved one have something to share about Black history, you can participate.
Can I share someone else’s story?
Yes, you can do so on their behalf. The video form above includes instructions on how to interview others. Remember, you must have their consent to record.
Can I submit more than one story?
Yes, you can submit more than one story. The submission tool allows you to answer each question once, and you can include multiple memories within a single response. If you’d like to share stories beyond that, go through the process again and record a new submission.
Can I update or remove my story?
Reach out to us at info@capitalbnews.org and let us know the issue you’d like to address with your story. We’ll do our best to resolve it.
Can I see an example of how to record video for how the project works?
Yes, check out the video to the below.
Example Oral History Submission:
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