Interviews - I See My Light Shining

Interviews

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Oral history interviews are firsthand testimonies of people’s experiences of history. These interviews invite narrators (interviewees) to talk about their own histories, giving unparalleled insights into life decisions, actions, and experiences that may not already be part of the public record.

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    Tina Valentín Aguirre

    Queer and trans activist, artist, and community leader

    San Francisco, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    Tina Valentín Aguirre

    A Latinx activist in San Francisco since the late '80s, Aguirre reflects on their work in HIV/AIDS community services, confrontations with institutional misogyny and homophobia, and the power of chosen family amidst struggle.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Felicia Anderson

    Educator, speech pathologist, and GEAR UP program administrator

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Felicia Anderson

    From Compton to Carson, Anderson details her upbringing amidst segregation, her parents' influence, her career in education, her mother's work with the American Cancer Society, and her father's path from a janitor to a curator.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Jan Bell

    Acclaimed public speaker, community leader, and family matriarch

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Jan Bell

    Bell reflects on her life in Los Angeles, childhood, debate competition accomplishments, motherhood, marriage, surviving racial violence, navigating grief, and lessons learned from engaging with different cultures through travel.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Joan Benoit

    Indigenous activist, community organizer, and Pride Grand Marshall

    Oakland, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Joan Benoit

    Benoit shares her experiences as an Anishinaabek Ojibwe woman, activist, and mother, discussing identity, Indigenous rights, community and LGBTQ+ activism, and her visions for future liberation and care inspired by her ancestors.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    Oakland, CA

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    KB Boyce

    Transmasculine musician, artist, and activist

    Emeryville, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    KB Boyce

    Boyce shares his path from a shy, transmasculine kid in Brooklyn to a pioneering artist in the Bay Area. He reflects on the transformational power of punk rock and creating Queer Rebel Productions to uplift queer artists of color.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    Emeryville, CA

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    Nani Brooks

    Educator, principal, and advocate for special education

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Nani Brooks

    Brooks reflects on her Hawaiian childhood, becoming a principal in Los Angeles, her commitment to children with special needs, her battle with cancer, her faith, and her personal growth through returning to college after decades.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Vincent Brown

    Award-winning author and historian specializing in Atlantic slavery

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Vincent Brown

    Brown examines his journey from an imaginative child in Del Mar to becoming a distinguished historian at Harvard. He discusses his engagement with performing arts and his influential work on slavery and rebellion in the Caribbean.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    # Gender Identity

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    Nicky Calma

    AIDS/HIV advocate, trans rights activist, and community leader

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Nicky Calma

    Calma charts her path from the Philippines to San Francisco, reflecting on transgender identity, familial challenges, navigating life in the US, her activism, struggles with substances, and HIV's personal and community impacts.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Billie Cooper

    Black trans activist, veteran, and San Francisco community leader

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Billie Cooper

    Cooper shares her journey as a Black transgender woman, from her childhood in Philadelphia to her activism and advocacy in San Francisco, discussing military service, addiction, HIV, community leadership, and mentorship.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Gwenn Craig

    Civil rights activist and advocate for LGBTQ+ rights

    Daly City, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Gwenn Craig

    An African American lesbian activist, Craig reflects on growing up in the segregated South, her move to San Francisco, mentorship by Harvey Milk, leading a historic media campaign, embracing identity, and her ongoing advocacy.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    Daly City, CA

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    Vincent Crisostomo

    AIDS activist and LGBTQ+ rights advocate

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Vincent Crisostomo

    Crisostomo shares his journey as a Chamorro gay man living with HIV since 1987, reflecting on loss, activism, breaking barriers, embracing his identity, advocating for LGBTQ+ rights, and his vision for the future.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Juanita Croft

    Belle Haven native, educator, technology teacher

    Menlo Park, CA

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Juanita Croft

    Croft shares insights into East Palo Alto's transformation through her own experiences at Ravenswood High School, the significance of Nairobi College, and her community's resilience and struggle against systemic barriers.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Menlo Park, CA

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    C. Njoube Dugas

    Black non-binary activist and financial coach for communities of color

    Oakland, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    C. Njoube Dugas

    Dugas discusses their experiences as a nonbinary Black individual, their struggles with identity and societal expectations, the importance of chosen family, embracing spirituality, and advocating for respect and freedom.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    Oakland, CA

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    StormMiguel Florez

    Transgender trailblazer, musician, and documentary filmmaker

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    StormMiguel Florez

    Florez discusses discovering his queer, trans, and Latino identities, grappling with his relationship with his body and community, BDSM, drag, music, and performance art, while underscoring the importance of growth and respect.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Lynell George

    Los Angeles journalist, essayist, author, and educator

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Lynell George

    George shares insights into her evolution as a writer, exploring the tapestry of Black Los Angeles through intimate narratives, her personal connection to Octavia Butler's legacy, and a commitment to uncovering overlooked stories.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Marga Gomez

    Groundbreaking Latina comedian, solo performer, and LGBTQ+ advocate

    San Francisco, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    Marga Gomez

    Gomez discusses her work as a comedian and solo performer, reflecting on her experiences navigating gender identity and age, her artistic evolution, and the impact of the AIDS crisis on San Francisco's queer community.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Brendalynn Goodall

    Oakland native and LGBTQ+ rights activist

    Oakland, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Brendalynn Goodall

    Goodall discusses her work as a Black lesbian activist and reflects on her family's dynamics, battles for LGBTQ+ and elder rights, personal transformations, and the importance of community engagement, representation, and love.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    Oakland, CA

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    Sharyn Grayson

    Longtime trans rights activist and TGI Justice Project leader

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Sharyn Grayson

    As a Black trans woman, Grayson reflects on her life, emphasizing the resilience and strength she honed from her upbringing. She discusses self-identity, activism for trans rights and health equity, and the power of chosen family.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Tressa Gunnels

    Retired lieutenant, veteran, detective, and mental health advocate

    Corona, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Tressa Gunnels

    Gunnels reflects on her upbringing, military service, becoming a lieutenant in law enforcement, her work's physical and psychological impacts, the dynamics of policing, her transition into retirement, and her passion for travel.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Corona, CA

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    # Policing

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    Martha Hanks

    Educator, church advocate, and community archive builder

    East Palo Alto, CA

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Martha Hanks

    Hanks shares her journey spanning decades in East Palo Alto, touching on her experiences as a child in segregated Louisiana, her significant involvement in education and activism, including her connection to the Black Panther Party.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    East Palo Alto, CA

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    Garrett Hongo

    Hawaiian-born poet, memoirist, and creative writing professor

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Garrett Hongo

    Garrett Hongo reflects on his multicultural upbringing in Los Angeles, his journey as a poet, his experiences with influential teachers and literature, his family stories, and his connection to his Japanese-American heritage.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Sandra Jackson-Dumont

    Curator, art historian, and promoter of Black history and culture

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Sandra Jackson-Dumont

    Jackson Dumont reflects on growing up Black in San Francisco, her education, impactful roles in the art and museum worlds, including the Met and Seattle Art Museum, and dedication to integrating Blackness in her work.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Dana Johnson

    Writer and professor exploring gender, race, class, and identity

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Dana Johnson

    Johnson discusses her journey from a Los Angeles childhood marked by creativity and rebellion, through her academic advancement and struggles as a female writer, to her current life as an acclaimed author and professor.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Sara Johnson

    Literature and history professor, author, and mentor

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Sara Johnson

    Johnson reflects on her exploration of the Caribbean’s linguistic and cultural histories, her journey from Baltimore to San Diego, her transnational work in academia, and commitment to unveiling the interconnectedness of diaspora.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Juba Kalamka

    Trailblazing musician, queer hip hop pioneer, and activist

    Oakland, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Juba Kalamka

    Kalamka offers insight through his experiences as a queer Black man, discussing the challenges and complexities of navigating bisexuality, parenthood, art, and activism while highlighting the importance of community and love.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    Oakland, CA

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    Christine Kim

    Influential curator focusing on artists of color and modern technology

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Christine Kim

    Kim details her upbringing in the Bay Area, her parents' immigrant journey, her work at Harlem's Studio Museum, her exploration of Black and Asian art, and recent projects that aim to memorialize and celebrate community histories.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Landa Lakes

    Two-spirit drag performer, Indigenous activist, and cultural innovator

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Landa Lakes

    Thomas, known as Landa Lakes, describes becoming a key figure in San Francisco's drag and two-spirit communities. They discuss early gender explorations, the first Native American drag troupe, and the impact of drag on activism.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Yoseñio Lewis

    Activist, educator, and advocate for queer and trans rights

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Yoseñio Lewis

    Lewis reflects on his journey of self-identification, from growing up feeling disconnected from his community to finding a sense of belonging, overcoming internalized prejudice, as well as advocating for trans and queer rights.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    # Love

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    Florene Marshell

    Advocate for foster children, human services expert, and retired shipyard worker

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Florene Marshell

    Florene Marshell reflects on her life, highlighting her strong family bonds, commitment to community service, and fulfilling careers in education and at the harbor. She also discusses photography and cherishing simple joys.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Crystal Mason

    Activist, artist, and pioneering Bay Area community leader

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Crystal Mason

    Mason shares their journey as a Black genderqueer elder, exploring their evolution from a Southern upbringing to activism in San Francisco, co-founding Queering Dreams, and expressing their identity through art and performance.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Mary Midgett

    Black lesbian activist, veteran, and co-founder of the NIA Collective

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Mary Midgett

    Mary Midgett, a trailblazer in San Francisco's LGBTQ+ community, shares her remarkable path to becoming an esteemed elder. She discusses founding the NIA Collective, writing Black lesbian erotica, and building inclusive spaces.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Dion Morrow

    Civil rights lawyer, acclaimed orator, and historian

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Dion Morrow

    Morrow discusses his early life, education, becoming a father during law school, balancing career and family, his journey from oratory contests to practicing law, and the communal and familial support that shaped his path.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Alondra Nelson

    Renowned scholar, teacher, policy strategist, and award-winning author

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Alondra Nelson

    Alondra Nelson reflects on her path from San Diego to DC, discussing Black Panther Party health activism, Afrofuturism, DNA testing, AI's social impact, and advocating for equitable innovation.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Achy Obejas

    Lesbian novelist, poet, translator, and trailblazing journalist

    Benicia, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Achy Obejas

    Hailing from Cuba, Obejas reflects on finding vibrant queer and activist scenes in the US, her path as a writer and journalist, race and cultural dynamics, activism during the AIDS crisis, and her role in the lesbian separatist movement.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    Benicia, CA

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    Natalie Owens

    Louisiana-born Pasadena resident and healthcare worker

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Natalie Owens

    Owens charts her own life experiences against the changing social and cultural fabric of America, describing her marriages, family dynamics, education, while offering an important glimpse at 20th-century Black life in Los Angeles.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Andrés Ozzuna

    Trans Latinx immigrant business owner, baker, and tango dancer

    Oakland, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    Andrés Ozzuna

    Ozzuna charts his journey as a trans Latinx immigrant, reflecting on childhood memories, migrating to San Francisco, founding Wooden Table Baking Company, and finding solace in tango amidst personal and professional challenges.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    Oakland, CA

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    # Performing Arts

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    Monica Palacios

    Pioneering Chicana comedian and activist

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Monica Palacios

    Palacios discusses becoming a pioneering queer Chicana comedian, from her early stand-up to her solo performances, her work with VIVA Gay and Lesbian Latino Artists, challenges in mainstream and LGBTQ+ spaces, and mentorship.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Donna Personna

    Activist, drag peformer, artist and trans rights champion

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Donna Personna

    Donna Personna shares her path, from her Texas upbringing to becoming a celebrated drag performer and trans activist in San Francisco. She also discusses family, chosen family, overcoming stage fright, love, and contributing to history.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Bamby Salcedo

    Trans rights icon and founder of TransLatina Coalition

    Los Angeles, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Bamby Salcedo

    Salcedo narrates her life as a trans woman, reflecting on her childhood in Mexico, migration to the US, incarceration, and assault. She discusses her recovery, activism, leadership, and foundation of the TransLatina Coalition.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Omowale Satterwhite

    Community-building specialist, nonprofit founder, and Kellogg Fellow

    Palo Alto, CA

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Omowale Satterwhite

    Satterwhite delves into his Michigan roots, pivotal involvement in grassroots education, the formation of Nairobi College, and advocacy for community control, equity, and combating gentrification in East Palo Alto.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Palo Alto, CA

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    Chino Scott-Chung

    Trans rights advocate, veteran, and community builder

    Oakland, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    Chino Scott-Chung

    Scott-Chung shares his experiences as a trans Chinese-Mexican man, discussing his identity's evolution, facing transphobia, coming out as a lesbian in the military, navigating masculinity and parenthood, activism, and grief.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    Oakland, CA

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    Brenda Shaughnessy

    Award-winning poet and professor of English and creative writing

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Brenda Shaughnessy

    Drawing from her experiences as an Okinawan-Irish American, Shaughnessy discusses identity, loss, love, and artistic expression. She reflects on her upbringing, personal challenges, turns in her career, and her journey as a poet.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Thomas Starke

    LA native, former commercial driver, and case manager at Midnight Mission

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Thomas Starke

    Starke discusses his journey through addiction, incarceration, and recovery, as well as the transformative power of acceptance and love and his impactful role as a case manager at the Midnight Mission.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Vada Tate

    New Orleans native, government retiree, and world traveler

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Vada Tate

    Drawing from a lifetime of experiences, Tate reflects on being a military spouse, raising four children, embracing life in the desert, finding strength in faith, her government career, and her values.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Kitty Tsui

    Poet, activist, former bodybuilder, and API lesbian movement pioneer

    Oakland, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    Kitty Tsui

    Having journeyed from Hong Kong to the US, Tsui reflects on her identity as a lesbian, her work as an author and activist, her experiences with discrimination, BDSM, aging, authenticity, and making a mark on her community.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    Oakland, CA

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    # Addiction and Recovery

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    Vivian Varela

    Non-binary, two-spirit elder and queer rights champion

    Garden Grove, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    Vivian Varela

    Varela discusses growing up with food insecurity, missionary work in Latin America, leaving home, coming out, attending a pivotal conference, and identifying as non-binary and two-spirit at age 65.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    Garden Grove, CA

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    Adela Vázquez

    Trans rights activist, drag performer, and mentor

    San Francisco, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    Adela Vázquez

    Vázquez shares her journey from Cuba to San Francisco as a queer immigrant, overcoming institutionalized homophobia, becoming Miss Gay Latina in 1992, transitioning, her activism with Las AtreDivas, and her hopes for the future.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Ruby Watkins

    Great Migration participant, community elder, and kindness advocate

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Ruby Watkins

    Born in Fort Worth, Watkins reflects on segregation, moving to California as a teen, working in a fish cannery, marrying, nurturing a family of seven in Compton, the power of walking, and the importance of respect and community.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Fresh "Lev" White

    Compassion activist, diversity trainer, drag king, and trans advocate

    Berkeley, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    Fresh "Lev" White

    White reflects on life as a trans man, mindfulness, and striving for love and compassion. He shares insights on racism, chosen family, and self-love, as well as his roles in LGBTQ+ and POC communities and visions for the future.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    Berkeley, CA

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    Edra Widener

    Retired teacher and family matriarch

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Edra Widener

    Widener recounts her early days in Los Angeles, educational ventures, and roles as a teacher, parent, and grandparent. She also discusses her family's migration history, her racial identity, and her spirituality.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Mike Widener

    History professor of Black studies

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Mike Widener

    Widener shares his life journey, from growing up in Oroville and Watts to his 42-year tenure at Compton College. He discusses his family history, experiences with racism, his career in education, and reuniting with his wife, Edra.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Robert Williams

    Teacher, writer, and photographer

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Robert Williams

    Williams details his upbringing in Pasadena, his experiences growing up as a Black man, exploring his sexuality, artistic endeavors, friendships, and his family's history—including connections to the Tuskegee Airmen.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    ‘You’re always aware of your Blackness.
    No matter where you go or what you do.’
    Angela Jewell
    curtain