Queer Newark

In today’s political climate, where marginalized communities face increasing erasure, oral history has become a powerful tool for resistance, preservation, and truth-telling. By documenting the lived experiences of BIPOC LGBTQ+ individuals, we not only safeguard their histories but also challenge dominant narratives, ensuring that future generations have access to authentic, diverse voices.

Join members of the Queer Newark Oral History Project for an engaging and practical session on the transformative power of oral history. You’ll explore how this project has successfully preserved the voices of Newark’s LGBTQ+ communities and gain valuable insights into using oral history as a method for cultural preservation and social justice.
In this workshop, you’ll learn how to:

• Conduct Impactful Interviews: Master techniques for building trust, asking meaningful questions, and drawing out reflective, nuanced stories—particularly from individuals whose voices are often marginalized or silenced.
• Apply Best Practices for Story Collection: Receive practical tips on capturing and preserving oral histories, including recording methods, transcription strategies, and archiving considerations.
• Navigate Ethical Considerations: Understand the complexities of working with personal memories, including securing informed consent, maintaining confidentiality, and handling sensitive topics with care and respect.
• Leverage Oral History for Advocacy: Discover how oral histories can be used to amplify marginalized voices in public history, museums, journalism, community organizing, and activism. Learn how to turn personal narratives into powerful tools for advocacy and change.

Whether you’re a researcher, community advocate, or simply passionate about preserving diverse voices, this session will equip you with the skills and knowledge to engage in meaningful oral history work that honors and uplifts underrepresented communities.

Register now to secure your spot!
Advance registration is required
Free for Paid Members; To join The Collective, click here: https://www.nppoccollective.org/membership
$25.00 for Non-paid members

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Esperanza Onoria Santos is a graduate student in the American Studies PhD program at Rutgers University- Newark. Esperanza was born in San Diego, California (Kumeyaay Land) to parents born in Zacatecas, Mexico. 

Broadly speaking, she is interested in being a scholar of Latinx Literature and Culture, Queer Transnationalisms, Queer/Trans History, Trans of Color Critique, and Transfeminismo. She is currently developing a dissertation that argues against trans Latinas as objects of tragedy in order to argue that our lives, livelihoods, and agency are also worthy sites of investigation. At RU-N, she has worked at with the Queer Newark Oral History Project, the James Street Oral History Project, and the Mellon Foundation’s Sawyer Seminar Series. Additionally, she led the Arts Committee for the 2023 strike led by the AAUP-AFT Union. 


Christina R. Strasburger is an administrative and academic professional with over two decades of experience in higher education. As Department Administrator for History and African American and African Studies at Rutgers University-Newark, she provides a range of education, information, and advocacy services for students, faculty, staff, and community.

She is co-founder of the award-winning Queer Newark Oral History Project, a community-directed initiative dedicated to recording and preserving the history of LGBTQ+ people in and of Newark, New Jersey. Since its founding in 2011, Christina has been involved in all aspects of the project. She has conducted oral history interviews; facilitated oral history workshops; hosted public programs; co-led Queer Newark walking tours; drafted grant proposals, and consulted on the traveling exhibit, At Home in Newark: Stories from the Queer Newark Oral History Project. She is responsible for grant management and website accessibility. She also co-authored a chapter in the anthology: Queer Newark: Stories of Resistance, Love, and Community.


Cristina Veras is a dedicated higher education professional, veteran, and advocate for inclusive education. She currently serves as a Program Coordinator for the Office of Undergraduate Programs at Rutgers Business School Newark, where she supports student development and engagement initiatives. A veteran of the United States Air Force, Cristina brings leadership, strategic planning, and a passion for mentorship to her work.

Cristina is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in History at Rutgers University-Newark, building on her background in Criminal Justice and Anthropology. She is particularly interested in the intersections of history, social justice, and education, with a focus on creating inclusive learning environments. Cristina is committed to empowering students – particularly those from historically underserved communities – by fostering access, equity, and critical thinking in education.