The evening began with New York Facilitator John White, who shared stories from the StoryCorps archive about memories of New York neighborhoods. Then curator Dexter Wimberly spoke about his own experience of growing up in Brooklyn, and what this exhibition means for him. There are still a few days left to enjoy “The Gentrification of Brooklyn” at MoCADA – it closes on Sunday, May 16. Fortunately the stories of the artists, along with thousands of other New Yorkers, will live on through StoryCorps.

On Sunday, January 18, StoryCorps Door-to-Door had the pleasure of recording stories for Every Child Matters at their first-ever Children’s Inaugural Ball in Washington, DC. This free, kid-friendly event gave children the chance to celebrate and welcome our new president, and featured live music, arts and crafts, interactive exhibits, play areas, and a story-time stage. Parents and children from all over the country were in attendance, including members of Congress with their families.

Michael Petit, Founder and President of Every Child Matters, kicked off the recording day in an interview with his daughter Nicole (pictured below). Michael talked about how his parents taught him to value education, hard work, and compassion. He was proud to be the first to attend college in his family, where learning about government and the effects of poverty in the U.S. led him to embrace politics as a vehicle for change. He founded Every Child Matters because, “if politicians aren’t friends of children, they shouldn’t hold office.” We’re glad to say everyone we met on Sunday was a friend to children, and we’re honored to help preserve and share their stories!

On the morning of April 3, StoryCorps staff, our supporters and partners, and press came out to Foley Square in downtown Manhattan to celebrate our newly relocated and reopened Lower Manhattan StoryBooth. Now the flagship booth in New York, our Foley Square location puts us in the heart of one of the most historic neighborhoods in New York City.

StoryCorps founder and president Dave Isay started the event. He shared the microphone with Commissioner Adrian Benepe from the Parks & Recreation, Museum Director Alice Greenwald of the National September 11 Memorial & Museum at the World Trade Center, Commissioner Kate Levin from the Department of Cultural Affairs, and special guest City Council Speaker Christine Quinn, who interviewed her father in the StoryBooth the week before. Speaker Quinn also presented StoryCorps with a Proclamation, and Reverend Violet Dease of Abyssinian Baptist Church offered a very moving blessing of the booth. Ethel Washington, history programs coordinator for the Union County Division of Cultural and Heritage Affairs and a StoryCorps Community Partner, participated in the first interview following the press conference. It is through the support of these people, and the organizations and institutions they represent, that make StoryCorps possible. We appreciate their commitment to StoryCorps, and their presence at this exciting event.

We hope you will join us soon at this new location. Reservations are filling up fast, but check for available times by calling 800-850-4406 or online at www.storycorps.net/record-your-story. Foley Square is located just above City Hall Park in downtown Manhattan, across from the U.S. Courthouse (a familiar sight to Law & Order fans). You can take the 4, 5, or 6 line to Brooklyn Bridge-City Hall, the 1, 2, 3, J, M, or Z line to Chambers Street, or the R or W line to City Hall. PATH train riders can walk from the World Trade Center station.

In Martha’s Vineyard, the booth is parked in front of Cronig’s Market in Vineyard Haven. On opening day, we were treated to sea shanties by Mark Lovewell and remarks from representatives of our partner station, WCAI, and the Martha’s Vineyard Museum.

Today, the current owner of Cronig’s, Steve Bernier, came to the booth with Robbie Cronig, who sold the market to Steve over 20 years ago and whose father started Cronig’s in 1917. Robbie remembered life on the Vineyard before telephone service arrived. In the winters, he would go door to door collecting grocery orders. At each house he visited, he would be offered a homemade treat, and in the summer he would work off the extra padding. Robbie said Steve is like the son he never had, and that he reminds him of his father, Samuel Cronig; both are fair and honest men who care about their community.

You can hear an excerpt of Mr. Bernier and Mr. Cronig’s interview here.

After over an hour of anxiously monitoring the sea lion’s condition, they received a call from a representative of the New England Aquarium, informing them that not only was their friend not in distress, he was not a sea lion.

Gray seals are common in Martha’s Vineyard, and they often come on the beach to play in the sand. What they thought was the anguished writhing of a dying sea lion turned out to be the playful wrigglings of a healthy, happy seal. Although Eliza, Sarah, and Elaine were somewhat embarrassed by their mistake, they were relieved to know he was ok.

Hoping for some company on the island, facilitator Sarah Geis kept lookout for signs of a new co-facilitator at sea. Thar she blows!

Look what the tide brought in! Facilitator Elaine Davenport sailed over from Newark, New Jersey, where she was stationed with the GriotBooth. She’ll be assisting Sarah in eating fried clams, taking long walks on the beach, and of course, facilitating StoryCorps interviews.

StoryCorps Griot Facilitators (l to r) Alex Wright, John Randolph and Elaine Davenport try to get the GriotBooth rolling, while facilitator Nadja Middleton waves goodbye to Military Park in Newark and settles in for the long ride to Detroit, Michigan. Nadja is the only current Griot facilitator who will travel with the booth to Detroit. Alex and John will return to New York, while Elaine will join MobileBooth East in Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Newark has been our home for 6 weeks, but now the show must go on. Detroit here we come.

StoryCorps Griot was honored to have not one, but three World War II veterans in booth today. Seen above are friends and fellow American Legion members (l to r) George Reed, John Knox, Calvin Weems, and Angelo Colbourne, all standing in front of the Wars of America monument in Newark, NJ’s Military Park.

Calvin (above right and below center) interviewed John (above left) about landing in Normandy as a member of the Air Force.

Angelo (above right) talked about his experience as a Navy SeaBee at the invasion of Iwo Jima. George Reed (above left) served as a Tuskegee Airmen, and is shown below with his copy of the Congressional Gold Medal, which President Bush awarded to all Tuskegee Airmen only 2 weeks agon in Washington, D.C.

On Saturday, we had the honor of helping Mary Weaver and Darcelle Harris memorialize their sons, who were both killed by police brutality. Both women were able to turn their grief into action by joining POP (People’s Organization for Progress), which is where Mary and Darcelle met.

Darcelle’s son, Ali Harris, was killed in 2004 at age 18. Above is a picture of Ali from the program for his memorial service. Mary’s son, Randy Weaver, was killed in 1999 at age 21. Below is a picture of a vigil and protest for Randy, which was featured in the POP newsletter, The Agitator.

Our hearts go out to both Mary and Darcelle. We hope these recordings help preserve the memories of Randy and Ali, and that they help bring attention to the injustice of police brutality.

Husband and wife William and Terrae Bland came to the StoryCorps GriotBooth to talk about growing up in East Orange, New Jersey, where they both still live today . It was the epitome of StoryCorps Griot: two family members sharing memories and stories that reflect the African American experience.

To our pleasure and surprise, Terrae returned to the StoryCorps GriotBooth to give us a doll she made. A woman sits in a chair with a young girl in her lap, to whom the woman is reading “Griot Tales” – a perfect representation of the StoryCorps Griot mission. Don’t worry though, participants are not required to come bearing gifts. The stories we collect are gift enough.