Telling Lives, Living Histories
Oral History Project ©

In line with TWC’s interdisciplinary, culturally driven, and community-anchored programming to support overall well-being, co-founder Dr. Karen Craddock has framed an oral history project with TWC to center the voices of Boston’s Black community, especially among our elder Roxbury original residents.

The intergenerational story exchange design will feature the pairing of local young adults with Black seniors to capture stories and reflections between the dyad. Skills development and workforce cultivation are embedded aspects of the design. The project will present and preserve often untold or undocumented regional histories from personal lived experiences that will deepen and enhance an understanding of Boston history at this time of rapid change.

With partners from across sectors and disciplines, we will include multimedia platforms to share the stories with the public, including a podcast series that will further share and open opportunities for ongoing storytelling as a powerful path for wellness in our community.

The urgency of such a project is heightened by the fact that communication between generations has not been fostered in an intentional and collaborative way, contributing to mental health challenges in the elder and youth populations. We believe that much of the loneliness seen in elders and rising rates of anxiety among young adults are signs of a serious gap in cross-generational conversations and mutual growth and support.

STAY TUNED, PROJECT UNDERWAY

For more information, please contact Dr. Karen Craddock, kcraddock@thewellnesscollaborative.org.