Interviews - I See My Light Shining

Interviews

836 Hours

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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Harold Bailey

Career educator, Afro-American advocate, and NAACP branch president

Albuquerque, NM

Ellery Washington
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Harold Bailey

Bailey reflects on his life, including his childhood, facing racial discrimination, leading African American Studies at UNM, fighting for racial justice, and his tenure at the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Ken Carson

Banking commissioner turned entrepreneur

Albuquerque, NM

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Ken Carson

Born in New Mexico, Carson reflects on his family's migration, his upbringing in Albuquerque, his successful banking career, and his eventual venture into the restaurant industry, which blends his Black and New Mexican heritage.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Charles Carter

Albuquerque community servant and addiction counselor

Albuquerque, NM

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Charles Carter

Carter recounts his journey from Chicago to New Mexico amidst struggles with addiction and homelessness—finding sobriety, becoming a substance abuse counselor, redefining family, and gaining power and resilience.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Savannah Carter

Medical technologist, entrepreneur, and advocate for the homeless

Albuquerque, NM

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Savannah Carter

Carter reflects on the essence of being New Mexican through her own experiences, including moving from Chicago to Albuquerque, becoming a mother, and a career as a medical technologist, entrepreneur, and advocate for the homeless.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Joana Clayton

Artist, educator, and UNM Women’s Center director

Albuquerque, NM

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Joana Clayton

Clayton discusses moving from Texas to New Mexico, recounting her evolution from a young, imaginative child to a pioneering force in arts and community healing, creating inclusive spaces for marginalized voices.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Phyllis Currie

Pioneering Black internal auditor and adoption advocate

Albuquerque, NM

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Phyllis Currie

Currie details her family's roots in New Mexico, their African and Jewish heritage, and her personal journey through loss and motherhood. She also discusses fostering a legacy of strength and caregiving amidst challenges.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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# Parenthood

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Diana Dorn-Jones

Affordable housing advocate and former COO of Albuquerque

Albuquerque, NM

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Diana Dorn-Jones

Dorn-Jones reflects on her childhood in New Mexico, advocacy work in California, and return to Albuquerque to continue her parents' legacy in community activism. Her work includes housing reform and combating neighborhood crime.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Nina Farrow

Black hair educator and empowerment advocate

Albuquerque, NM

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Nina Farrow

From a military brat childhood to setting roots in Albuquerque, Farrow reflects on raising African American children, fostering community, her growth as a beauty professional, and her dedication to education and empowerment.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Angela Jewell

Retired New Mexico judge and Family Advocacy Center co-founder

Albuquerque, NM

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Angela Jewell

Jewell shares her journey from childhood in Alabama, to becoming one of the first African American judges in New Mexico, touching on her family, education, navigating race and gender dynamics, and her contributions to the field.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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James Lewis

New Mexico's first Black countywide elected official and state treasurer

Albuquerque, NM

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James Lewis

Lewis chronicles his life's work in public service, from overcoming segregated schooling to becoming the state's first black state treasurer, as well as his commitment to education and community betterment.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Lenton Malry

New Mexico's first African American state representative

Albuquerque, NM

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Lenton Malry

Malry reflects on his life experiences, including growing up on a Louisiana farm, teaching on Navajo reservations, becoming Albuquerque’s first Black principal, and his impact as the state's first Black representative.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Cathryn McGill

Performer and founder of New Mexico Black Leadership Committee

Albuquerque, NM

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Cathryn McGill

McGill reflects on her upbringing in Oklahoma, navigating racial tension, finding her voice in church choirs, and transitioning from artist to advocate, emphasizing the importance of visibility for Black communities in New Mexico.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Gwendolyn Mosley

Retired teacher and lifelong Albuquerque resident

Albuquerque, NM

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Gwendolyn Mosley

Mosley details her life journey through the educational system in Albuquerque, New Mexico, during the Civil Rights Movement. She shares experiences of segregation, racial bias, and adapting to changing school environments.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Larry Phillips

Albuquerque native, retired General Electric employee, and business owner

Albuquerque, NM

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Larry Phillips

Phillips recounts growing up in a tight-knit Black community on Virginia Street, his father's journey from Texas to escape segregation, his high school love Becky and their eventual marriage, as well as his ambitions.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Adolphe Pierre-Louis

Haitian-born photojournalist

Albuquerque, NM

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Adolphe Pierre-Louis

Pierre-Louis recounts growing up in Haiti and his path to becoming a distinguished photojournalist in New Mexico. He discusses encountering and overcoming racial profiling, his connection to his community, and bias education work.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Joe Powdrell

Veteran, Albuquerque community leader, and NAACP President

Albuquerque, NM

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Joe Powdrell

Powdrell reflects on life in segregated rural Texas, his family's move to Albuquerque, his education and athletic achievements, and the establishment of a successful family business intertwined with cultural heritage and activism.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Rita Powdrell

Historian, family business co-founder, and community researcher

Albuquerque, NM

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Rita Powdrell

Powdrell shares her journey from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, to Albuquerque, reflecting on her family history, early life, educational pursuits, and her work in highlighting Black history and contributions in New Mexico.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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# Multiculturalism and Diversity

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Cheryl Russey

Long-time educator and Albuquerque native

Albuquerque, NM

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Cheryl Russey

Russey shares her deep roots in Albuquerque, reflecting on her family's legacy, her career as a public school teacher for 45 years, raising children in a changing city, and her community involvement through church and relationships.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Leonard Waites

Former D1 athlete, corporate manager, and MLK Commission director

Albuquerque, NM

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Leonard Waites

Waites discusses growing up in Albuquerque, his family's migration from Texas, his athletic pursuits, and his career path from manufacturing to becoming the Executive Director of the Martin Luther King Jr. State Commission.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Donald Walker

Military veteran, dental hygienist, USPS worker, and New Mexico historian

Albuquerque, NM

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Donald Walker

Walker reflects on his family's history, including their unexpected settlement in Albuquerque due to a wagon breakdown, his experience growing up in a rapidly changing city, his military service, and his connection to his church.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Ron Wallace

Photographer, Christian leader, and publisher of Perspective magazine

Albuquerque, NM

Ellery Washington
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Ron Wallace

Wallace reflects on his early life, the broader family dynamics that shaped him, his educational ventures, and the pivotal role he played in documenting and uplifting Black experiences through his publications and photojournalism.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Nellie Ward

Trailblazing optician, cybersecurity professional, and educator

Albuquerque, NM

Ellery Washington
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Nellie Ward

Ward details her journey from Memphis to Albuquerque, sharing her struggles and successes, including overcoming discrimination, advancing from custodial work to a top cybersecurity position, and her community involvement.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Clarence Washington

Retired engineer, faith-based author, and pastor

Albuquerque, NM

Ellery Washington
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Clarence Washington

Washington shares his journey from Chicago to Albuquerque in 1964, discussing his work at Sandia Labs, efforts to enhance the local Black community, the joy of fishing in New Mexico's lakes, and his work as an author and pastor.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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Janice Washington

Minister and musician

Albuquerque, NM

Ellery Washington
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Janice Washington

Mangram-Washington reflects on her experiences as a Black woman in Albuquerque, her family's migration and business ventures, her musical talent, as well as her educational journey and ministry work.

Ellery Washington collection

Albuquerque, NM

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