Spring 2024

I’m Dianna Hyde, English instructor at the Shelby Campus, and I invited colleagues, students, and the community alike to preserve what’s precious—the stories that help define us. This oral history project was initiated during Black History Month in commemoration of the powerful orality of Black culture, yet it’s a celebration of our collective family stories, one and all. In keeping with the 2024 national Black History Month theme, “African Americans and the Arts,” we asked for family stories about the arts, those creative and essential expressions that nourish us in profound ways. For instance, my maternal grandmother sewed, and I want to tell you why, when, where and how beautifully she did it, as well as the influence her gift had on my outlook and my life. We created this project to find out what stories people could tell about the cook, quilter, woodworker, blacksmith, gardener, weaver, singer, dancer, author, painter, musician—artist of any kind—who helped shape their life. Our traveling collective visited each of the four Jefferson State campuses to record and share the lore that helped shape people. Enjoy the stories from the video collective below.

In professional workspaces, stories and traditions play a vital role in fostering a sense of identity, camaraderie, and continuity. These narratives often encompass tales of past successes and failures, serving as valuable lessons for current and future endeavors.  Additionally, traditions such as celebrating milestones, team-building exercises, or annual events contribute to the fabric of workplace culture, reinforcing core values and enhancing employee morale. Through the exchange of stories and the preservation of traditions, professional environments cultivate a sense of belonging and collective purpose among their members.  We collaborated with professionals in CDL, Culinary, Funeral Sciences, and Nursing to hear lore in each of their areas.