Search Interviews

Laurent Sanchez (34) talks to her husband, James Barnes (32), about their first year of marriage, meeting family in Colombia, and future family plans.

One Small Step partners Gregory "Greg" Greenway (71) and Randall "Randy" Cirksena (63) exchange lived experiences and discuss their civil war ancestors, first jobs as bank tellers, and not choosing a race on the StoryCorps paperwork.

Jaha Cummings (50) speaks with his mother Martha Bireda (78) about the importance of community, people who influenced him during childhood, and carrying on his ancestors' legacies.

Friends and colleagues Ayanna Watkins (45) and Amber Sherman (29) share how they met through organizing in Memphis, the role of religion in their lives and work, and the importance of community care.

Cousins and colleagues Erica Fox (48) and Dr. Lindsay Gary (33) discuss the African roots of Creole culture and feeling called by their ancestors to carry on the work they are a part of.

Mother and daughter Catherine Thomas (53) and Brandie Thomas (29) talk about fond family memories, difficult moments in their lives, and Southern cooking.

[Recorded Tuesday, September 12, 2023] Gianna (19) from Long Island, New York, and Brianna (20) from the Eastern Shore of Maryland participated in this One Small Step conversation as part of their Public Service Pathways 1-credit UNST course at UVA....

[Recorded Tuesday, September 12, 2023] Sonaera (19) from Ashburn, Virginia, and Dakota (19) from Ashburn, Virginia participated in this One Small Step conversation as part of their Public Service Pathways 1-credit UNST course at UVA. Sonaera shares her mom’s impact...

[Recorded: Friday, October 20, 2023] Ashley Hicks (19) and Katie Rea (19), both UVA Wise students, have a One Small Step conversation at the VPM office in Charlottesville, Virginia. Their conversation was recorded during Democracy360, the Karsh Institute of Democracy’s...

[Recorded: Friday, July 21, 2023] This One Small Step conversation was recorded in Charlottesville, Virginia as part of the Sorensen Institute’s summer High School Leaders Program in 2023. Riley Long (17) from Alexandria and Conner Helm (18) from Richmond talk...

Samantha Buday, 11, talks with her grandmother, Linda Artigue Buday, 74, over the Thanksgiving holiday about her life. In this interview, Linda explains how her family ended up in the state of Louisiana. She also details her life growing up...

Colleagues and friends Talia Aygun (30) and Matau Setshase [no age given] talk about their spiritual lives and reflect on connecting with their ancestors.

Cousins Carolyn Bornfleth (68) and Adele Johnson (72) remember their ancestor Maria Rosa Villalpando, who was captured by the Comanche tribe in 1760. They discuss how Villalpando ultimately came to lead an independent life in St. Louis, MO and bond...

This is an interview with Ruth Folly, someone who has been an inspiration to me my entire life and someone who I look up to. The topics were what she was proud of and her take on life.

Kiplyn Primus (61) and Bilal K. Shareef (42) are fellow pilgrims who traveled to Ghana in 2019 for the inaugural Year of Return. They talk about how that journey continues to resonate with them.

Barbara Hester Kurtz (87) talks with her granddaughter Susan Scott Peterson (38) about her mother's letters to her father while he was away working for the Civilian Conservation Corps and on other military assignments beginning around the time of the...

Barbara Hester Kurtz (87) talks with her granddaughter Susan Scott Peterson (39) about her mother's sister, Mildred Scott, who died several days before this interview. Mildred grew up on a farm in Mississippi and was the last of seven siblings...

Barbara Hester Kurtz (87) talks with her granddaughter Susan Scott Peterson (38) about her childhood in Mississippi in the 1930s and 1940s.

Barbara Hester Kurtz (87) talks with her granddaughter Susan Scott Peterson (38) about her parents, relatives and early childhood in Mississippi.

[Recorded Tuesday, May 23, 2023] Emily (19) and Jaeho (19) have a One Small Step conversation in Charlottesville, Virginia. Emily is a student at UVA’s School of Nursing and is passionate about climate change, gun violence, education, and nursing as...

Becky Kosley (65) interviews her sister Cindy Henry (66) about their family’s migration to the United States from Slovakia, the closeness of their family, and their family’s military service.

Cousins Brenda Rodriguez (62) and Fred Sanchez (57) discuss their ancestors with a focus on their great-great grandfather Salvador Sanchez whom they learned was a Navajo nation member.

[Recorded: Friday, April 28, 2023] Tanyia (57) and Tyler (34) have a One Small Step Conversation in Charlottesville, Virginia. Tanyia is an Assistant Manager for Zone Operations for Facilities Management Housing Custodial at the University of Virginia and Tyler is...

Matt Mayberry (58) interviews his colleague Mayor John Suthers (71) about his experience in public service, how the city has changed over his life, and his reflections on leadership. Mayor John Suthers also shares stories from his childhood growing up...

Delilah Righter (24) interviews her conversation partner Alicia Bennett (49) about her life, having a disability, and life in Utah.