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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    Phil Armstrong

    Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Project Director

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Phil Armstrong

    Armstrong shares his journey from Bidwell, Ohio, to becoming a key figure in preserving the history of Black Wall Street in Tulsa. He discusses his upbringing, growth, and pivotal role in the Greenwood Rising History Center.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Carl Bracy

    Retired insurance industry leader and advocate for North Tulsa's rejuvenation

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Carl Bracy

    Bracy shares his life story, from growing up in segregated Arkansas to becoming a trailblazer at State Farm Insurance. He discusses the Tulsa Race Massacre, the struggle for racial equality, and his push for development in Tulsa.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Lydia Coleman

    Civil rights activist, pastor, mentor, and writer

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Lydia Coleman

    Coleman revisits her journey from the cotton fields of Arkansas to pastoring in Tulsa. She reflects on Civil Rights marches, the impact of race on education, and eventually finding her calling in ministry alongside her husband.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Stanley Coleman

    Pastor, veteran, civil rights activist, and church founder

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Stanley Coleman

    Coleman shares his journey through the Civil Rights Movement in Arkansas, detailing struggles against segregation, the pivotal march to a white school, arrests, and the fight for respect and equality.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    # Entrepreneurship

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    Carol Davis

    Detroit native, insurance adjuster, and witness to Tulsa's desegregation journey

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Carol Davis

    Davis shares her experiences growing up in North Tulsa, facing racial tensions, discovering strengths through various jobs, raising children with strong values, and breaking barriers in her role at State Farm as a claims adjuster.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Tanecia Davis
    Diane Gayle

    Human resources director and law student

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Tanecia Davis
    Diane Gayle

    Gayle reflects on her move to Tulsa from New York, discussing cultural adaptations and evolving perceptions of home. Davis discusses her North Tulsa upbringing, evolving career, community shifts, and the changing face of the city.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Raymond Doswell

    Public historian, educator, and museum executive

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Raymond Doswell

    Doswell discusses his upbringing in East St. Louis and career transitions, from teaching history, to his pivot to public history to the Negro Leagues Baseball Museum in Kansas City to leading Greenwood Rising in Tulsa.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Lemmel Fields

    Entrepreneur, world-touring road manager, and nightclub founder

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Lemmel Fields

    Fields shares insights on his life’s journey, from growing up in Tulsa's Greenwood, to road managing for renowned bands, to military service. Fields also shares his vision for a revitalized Black business district in Tulsa.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Reuben Gant

    Retired NFL player and community leader

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Reuben Gant

    Gant discusses growing up in segregated Tulsa, the Tulsa Race Massacre's impact on his family, his NFL career, becoming a cable television executive, working with the Greenwood Chamber of Commerce, and his vision for the future.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Norman Gayle

    Hospital operations executive and community activist

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Norman Gayle

    Gayle reflects on his move from New York to Tulsa with his family in pursuit of a better life. He discusses adapting to a new community, the city's changing face, and the virtues of raising a family in Tulsa.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Glenda Howard

    Tulsa native, integration influencer, entrepreneur, and ministry leader

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Glenda Howard

    Howard discusses her life journey, including her family's roots in Oklahoma, memories of racial integration, her entrepreneurial ventures, the legacies of Tulsa's Black community, and her hopes for Tulsa's future.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Hannibal Johnson

    Author, attorney, and Tulsa history expert

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Hannibal Johnson

    Johnson shares his path from roots in Arkansas and Texas to becoming an influential Tulsa figure. He discusses his legal career, his role in commemorating the Tulsa Race Massacre, and Greenwood's role in the city's resurgence.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Interview

    # Faith and Spirituality

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    Glenda Love

    Former Ronald McDonald House CEO and community leader

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Glenda Love

    Love shares her experiences growing up in a changing North Tulsa, her family's history, her journey from librarian to leading the Ronald McDonald House, fundraising for Greenwood Rising, and her hopes for North Tulsa's future.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Kevin Matthews

    Senator, former fire chief, and founder of Greenwood Rising History Center

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Kevin Matthews

    Matthews discusses his roots in Tulsa, discovering his biological father, and becoming a pivotal figure in Tulsa's fire department. He reflects on overcoming addiction, his entry into politics, advocacy, and Black excellence.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Marla Mayberry

    Pastor, resource center manager, and education development leader

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Marla Mayberry

    Mayberry discusses growing up in North Tulsa and becoming the senior pastor of a Baptist church founded by her grandfather. She reflects on a changing Tulsa and sense of self, her husband's NBA career, and future hopes for Tulsa.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Joyce McClellan

    Chief Development and Diversity Officer at Tulsa Technology Center

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Joyce McClellan

    McClellan discusses her community-centered childhood in Tulsa, education and achievements in adulthood, work at American Airlines, leadership at the Tulsa Technology Center, and future aspirations in educational leadership.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Ray Owens

    Pastor, ethics professor, and advocate for education reform

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Ray Owens

    Owens reflects on his journey, from being invited to Tulsa for an academic role to becoming a pivotal community leader. He discusses revitalizing Metropolitan Baptist Church as well as his involvement in education reform.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Eleanor Payne

    Former associate dean, community volunteer, and education advocate

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Eleanor Payne

    Payne shares her journey from a small town in Louisiana, through her college years at Grambling State University, to her roles in education and community service, to her involvement in local leadership and philanthropy.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Larry Payne

    Veteran, energy industry executive, and community servant

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Larry Payne

    Born in segregated Louisiana, Payne discusses his path to becoming a significant figure in the oil and gas industry, highlighting his experiences with school, military service, and challenging racial dynamics in corporate America.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Rodger Randle

    Politician, mayor, professor, democracy center director

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Rodger Randle

    Growing up in Tulsa, Randle's describes his childhood self as curious. Randle charts his progression from Peace Corps volunteer in Brazil to roles as a mayor and academic, sharing cultural and political insights along the way.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    # Parenthood

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    Anthony Scott

    Senior pastor, social worker, activist for Tulsa Race Massacre remembrance

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Anthony Scott

    Scott traces his life from childhood in North Tulsa to his calling into ministry, touching on experiences of racial discrimination in education, the importance of Black history, and advocacy for reparations and investment.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Beverly Thompson

    Former Tulsa pastor, entrepreneur, and public school administrator

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Beverly Thompson

    From Tulsa to Dallas, Thompson charts her journey across decades, discussing the realities of growing up impoverished, conflicting narratives, embracing entrepreneurship, and navigating dual roles as a pastor and businesswoman.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Francisco Treviño

    Nonprofit leader and former head of Tulsa Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Francisco Treviño

    Born in Monterrey, Treviño reflects on culturally adapting to Oklahoma, challenges in the education system, and his extensive community work focusing on immigrant rights, preservation, and cross-community understanding.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Lana Turner-Addison

    Educator, advocate for equity in education, and non-profit leader

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Lana Turner-Addison

    Addison shares her journey from growing up in North Tulsa's projects to becoming a community advocate. She discusses founding the North Tulsa Economic Development Initiative, visions for equitable education, and gentrification.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Don Tyler

    Pastor and community activist

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Don Tyler

    From engineering to pastoral leadership, Tyler details his career progression and efforts to transform North Tulsa through education, safety, and fostering community development despite racism and economic disparity.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Rose Washington-Jones

    Educator and federal reserve deputy chair

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Rose Washington-Jones

    Washington-Jones reflects on her upbringing in rural Mississippi and her path to becoming a transformative leader in Tulsa's economic development. She also discusses heritage, education, banking, academia, and community.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Joseph Wignarajah
    Jeya Wignarajah

    Retired engineer, Unitarian Church member, and world travelers

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Joseph Wignarajah
    Jeya Wignarajah

    Wignarajah recounts their tumultuous journey from Sri Lanka to Tulsa, detailing memories of childhood, immigration, and building a multifaceted life in the United States, underscored by resilience, adaptation, and family.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    ‘These are little victories that are worth celebrating.’
    Nancy Rosado & Myrna Villalobos
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