A Special Guest Post by Nicka Smith
Today, Friday, November 28 is StoryCorps’ 7th annual National Day of Listening! Each year, StoryCorps asks all Americans to set aside an hour on the day after Thanksgiving to interview a friend, loved one or community member about their lives, and to record the interview using recording equipment that is readily available in most homes, such as computers, smartphones, tape recorders or pen and paper, along with StoryCorps’ free Do-It-Yourself Instruction Guide.
In honor of the National Day of Listening, genealogist and photographer Nicka Smith shares 5 reasons why you should interview a loved one or be interviewed yourself!
Technology Will Always Change, But the Crux Your Story Won’t
We change technology like we do our socks. This has caused our world’s life cycle to speed up as well. While all the change around us continues, the central themes of our life’s stories won’t and are being preserved during the National Day of Listening.
The World Wants to Hear From You
Social media has made having a voice online something that is common place. On the other hand, few outlets (outside of podcasting) have chosen to utilize and document with just the power of the recorded voice. Try talking instead of just using your fingertips to share your perspective with the world.
Your Descendants Are Hungry For Your Perspective
Think of your recording as an audio time capsule. You’re descendants will be eager to know about the world as it was when you lived and what you thought about it. This is something few of us have from our ancestors.
Develop Your Interviewer’s Skills
Time and effort is essential when deciding to interview someone, especially if it’s recorded. Provide a unique opportunity for your interviewer by giving them the ability to hone their skills on you.
It’s Fun!
There are few times outside of applying for a job that a person will ever be interviewed. Consider yourself the celebrity of the day during the National Day of Listening by documenting your life.
About Nicka Smith
Nicka Smith is a professional photographer, speaker, and documentarian with more than 14 years of experience as a genealogist. She has extensive experience in African ancestored genealogy, reverse genealogy, and family reunion planning and execution. She is also an expert in genealogical research in the Northeastern Louisiana area, sharing genealogy with youth, documenting the ancestral journey, and employing the use of new technology in genealogy and family history research.
Nicka has diverse and varied experience in communications, with a background in publications, editing, graphic design, radio, and video production. She has edited and designed several volumes of family history that include narratives, photos, and genealogical information and has also transferred these things to an online environment.
Nicka is a board member of the California Genealogical Society (CGS), a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists (APG), former chair of the Outreach and Education Committee for the African American Genealogical Society of Northern California (AAGSNC), and former project manager for the Alameda County, CA Youth Ancestral Project where more than 325 youth have been taught the value of family history. Nicka is also the family historian and lead researcher for the Atlas family of Lake Providence, East Carroll, Louisiana.
To learn more about Nicka Smith and her work, please visit her website Who Is Nicka Smith?
About StoryCorps’ National Day of Listening
Each year, StoryCorps asks all Americans to set aside an hour on the day after Thanksgiving to interview a friend, loved one or community member about their lives, and to record the interview using recording equipment that is readily available in most homes, such as computers, smartphones, tape recorders or pen and paper, along with StoryCorps’ free Do-It-Yourself Instruction Guide.
Once your recording is complete, you can post it to StoryCorps’ interactive Wall of Listening. Then share it on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn. Please be sure to post to our Lowcountry Wall of Listening on Facebook to tell us who you interviewed!
