At the 2016 Allied Media Conference, Groundswell organized two sessions and a lunch gathering, while Groundswell members organized and participated in countless other workshops and events.

Emily Lawsin facilitates an oral history role-playing exercise at Groundswell's "Anti-Oppression Frameworks for Oral History" AMC workshop.

Oral History 101 walked organizers through how to organize oral history projects and how social justice organizations have used storytelling methods in their work. Anti-Oppression Frameworks for Oral History explored how to engage anti-oppression principles in oral history work and led participants through best and worst practices for oral history interviews with role playing exercises. Our Groundswell lunch meet-up provided the space for practitioners to share their projects, questions, and concerns and led to a compelling discussion regarding ethics and oral history.

Here's a reflection from AMC Presenter and Groundswell member, Vanissa Chan, of the Forced Trajectory Project, on her AMC experience:

As a Groundswell member I was ecstatic again to participate at the Allied Media Conference. At the lunch meet up I saw many non-members participated out of their interest in oral history and how they're understanding the critical role oral history plays in guiding communities towards justice. I think in general there is a wave of awareness in our society on how our narratives are critical for social justice processes and that's very exciting. My COHP the Forced Trajectory Project was a part of a two-part anti-police brutality workshop series and Groundswell played a supporting role at the conference. As usual, the support offered from Groundswell has been constant, dependable, and generous. Both workshops were successful and we were able to have productive dialogue around the topic of police violence, the impact on those who are affected the most, and how communities can come to engage those on the frontline.

Cynthia Howell holding up her aunt's picture, police murder victim Alberta Spruill, with Allen of BLM-NY/Movement Lab writing on the board for our Police Brutality workshop series, "When GoFundMe Doesn't Cut It" and the Forced Trajectory Project scr… — Cynthia Howell holding up her aunt's picture, police murder victim Alberta Spruill, with Allen of BLM-NY/Movement Lab writing on the board for our Police Brutality workshop series, "When GoFundMe Doesn't Cut It" and the Forced Trajectory Project screening.

Did you attend any Groundswell events at AMC? Let us know about your experience! E-mail us at: info@oralhistoryforsocialchange.org or leave a comment, below!