StoryCorps Historias launched its East Los Angeles, California stop with a vibrant outpouring of support from host radio station 89.3 KPCC and local supporters Farmers Insurance Group. With a picturesque backdrop of sun-drenched lawns and the glistening East L.A. Public Library pond, guest speakers took to the podium to talk about why Historias is an invaluable initiative for the Latino community in Los Angeles.

Guest speakers included KPCC reporter Patricia Nazario; Southern California Public Radio President and CEO Bill Davis; Center for the Study of Los Angeles Director Fernando J. Guerra, of Loyola Marymount University; UCLA Chicano Studies Research Center Director Chon Noriega; East L.A. Public Library Chicano Resource Center Librarian Daniel Hernandez; our inaugural StoryCorps Historias participant in East L.A., Luz Herrera; and your blog post writer and StoryCorps facilitator Alejandro De La Cruz.

The second interview of the day featured father and daughter participants Carlos and Cindy Mosqueda, who talked about Carlos’ emigration at age five from Salamanca, in Guanajuato, Mexico, to the United States. He recalled his time living on a dairy farm near Brownsville, Texas, and particularly the farm work he did for his father. Now, he says, “I look for dairy farms to visit in Southern California, so I head down to Chino to see them.”

Since opening day, we’ve seen Latinos come from all parts of Los Angeles and from all regions of Latin America. As a native Angeleno, I can’t fully express how excited I am to be listening to conversations in a community that is truly part of my identity. Our team will record over 100 conversations over the course of six weeks and we’ve already seen fantastic support! Keep tuning in for more from East L.A.!

StoryCorps Historias will be recording in East Los Angeles from Feb 11, 2010 to March 20, 2010. Reserve here or call 1-800-850-4406.