The City of San Diego, in partnership with StoryCorps Studios, has launched the 'I Am San Diego' project, showcasing the rich tapestry of diverse experiences within America’s 8th largest city. The initiative, part of Mayor Todd Gloria’s efforts to highlight the individual narratives that collectively define San Diego, has culminated in a series of recorded conversations among its residents, now available to the public and destined for the historical archives of the Library of Congress.
During a week in the previous summer, locals came together at the central hub of the San Diego Central Library to share their tales, creating a living mosaic of the city's culture and history. With reported participation from every City Council district, these conversations between friends, relatives, and colleagues span vast personal experiences, now ready for public consumption. San Diegans looking to contribute to this ongoing historical effort can visit the project's website and record an interview with someone close to them.
In a statement featured on the City of San Diego's website, Mayor Todd Gloria expressed his enthusiasm for the initiative: “By preserving these conversations, we’re honoring the experiences of our residents and creating a lasting legacy for future generations to understand and appreciate what it means to be a San Diegan." He adds, "The more stories we capture, the more this website will reflect the rich diversity of our city.”
The 'I Am San Diego' project has recorded over 35 participants so far, capturing varied facets of city life, such as the educators from Perkins Elementary School in Barrio Logan, neighbors who lived through the 2003 Cedar Fire, and a park ranger with a quarter-century of service in Balboa Park. The project also includes conversations in animated form, depicting interactions like that between San Diego Fire-Rescue Chief Robert Logan and his friend Capt. Jason Shanley.
