Making the Past Present: Strategies for Reporting on History

Event details Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026 Time: 10:00 AM to 11:00 AM Location: Online Department: USC Annenberg School for Communication & Journalism About this event Unearthing the past requires a different set of research and reporting strategies. Journalist Lee Hawkins has spent years honing this craft, culminating in the publication last year of his book “I Am Nobody’s Slave: How Uncovering My Family’s History Set Me Free.” Drawing on genealogy, genetic testing, archival research and shoe-leather reporting, Hawkins’ memoir reveals the violent fate of many of his forebears going back to slavery, the devastating effects of Jim Crow, and the intergenerational trauma that ultimately set the course of his own life and upbringing. In this webinar, we’ll discuss how journalists can use historical research to power their own work, adding crucial perspectives and findings that can recast the present. Whether you’re a reporter looking to add historical context and depth to your stories about individuals, families or communities, or a writer pursuing your own memoir or autobiographical project, this webinar will provide ideas, tips and lessons to advance your journey into the past. We’ll discuss methods for conducting archival research, how genetic testing can identify potential sources, and how to turn leads into hard-won interviews. We’ll also share tips for that classic journalistic challenge: How do you get reluctant sources to talk about difficult subjects when they finally answer the door? RSVP here Official event details: https://calendar.usc.edu/event/making-the-past-present-strategies-for-reporting-on-history Official event details: https://calendar.usc.edu/event/making-the-past-present-strategies-for-reporting-on-history