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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    Elizabeth Afriyie

    Retired adult probation officer and activist

    Richardson, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Elizabeth Afriyie

    Afriyie recounts her youth and career, including her role as one of the first female police officers in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She also discusses family, loss, resilience, adventure, community service, and continuous learning.

    April Reign collection

    Richardson, TX

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    Kelvin Alexander

    Human resources professional

    Rowlett, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Kelvin Alexander

    Alexander grew up in a large Texan family and reflects on foundational childhood experiences, his passion for human resources, preserving family legacies, the significance of Juneteenth, and teaching his children to give back.

    April Reign collection

    Rowlett, TX

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    Linda Alexander

    Church events coordinator and educator

    Rowlett, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Linda Alexander

    Alexander describes a childhood immersed in laughter and faith and experiences of navigating identity in diverse settings. She reflects on commitment to education, the cultural imprints of Juneteenth, her family legacy, and faith.

    April Reign collection

    Rowlett, TX

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    Armando Banchs

    Educator and social justice advocate

    Dallas, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Armando Banchs

    Banchs reflects on his upbringing as an army brat with Puerto Rican roots, the dynamics of racial identity in Texas, his dedication to education and community work in Dallas, and his hopes for his children's future.

    April Reign collection

    Dallas, TX

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    # Literature and Writing

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    Patricia Calhoun

    Interior designer, showroom manager, and youth development advocate

    Austin, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Patricia Calhoun

    Calhoun discusses her prolific career in interior design, experiences with discrimination, and pioneering Texas’ Juneteenth understandings. She also reflects on Austin's transformation and her commitment to youth programs.

    April Reign collection

    Austin, TX

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    Margarette Davis

    Long-time Texas librarian and dedicated community historian

    Duncanville, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Margarette Davis

    Davis reflects on her familial origins in East Texas, her educational pursuits, challenges as a Black woman in the '60s to building a fulfilling career in libraries while raising her daughter as a single parent.

    April Reign collection

    Duncanville, TX

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    Tatia Green-Goodwin

    Community advocate

    Dallas, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Tatia Green-Goodwin

    Born in Dallas, Green-Goodwin's story spans generations, from Juneteenth activism to changes in education and policing. Green-Goodwin also discusses her family history, activism, and the harsh realities of systemic inequality.

    April Reign collection

    Dallas, TX

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    Marcus Hammons

    Plumber and advocate for Black history education

    Garland, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Marcus Hammons

    Raised primarily by his mother and grandmother in Texas, Hammons shares insights from his childhood to present. He reflects on single parenting, memories of segregation, and his evolving understanding of Black history.

    April Reign collection

    Garland, TX

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    Michell Houston

    Professor of nursing and Juneteenth historian

    McKinney, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Michell Houston

    Having journeyed from Chicago to Texas, Houston reflects on her family's history and her nursing career. She also discusses raising an adopted son, her transition to academia, and understanding Juneteenth's significance.

    April Reign collection

    McKinney, TX

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    Damon Jackson

    Texas native advocating for Juneteenth awareness and truthful education

    McKinney, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Damon Jackson

    Raised in Texas, Jackson reflects on the personal significance of Juneteenth and the importance of passing down cultural and historical knowledge. He also discusses his law enforcement career, his identity, and his children.

    April Reign collection

    McKinney, TX

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    Marshon Jackson

    Advocate for victims of domestic violence

    Arlington, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Marshon Jackson

    Jackson shares her experiences of finding healing, purpose, and strength as a survivor and advocate. Jackson also discusses her early childhood, her two sons, faith, and calling to help others, tracing many challenges and triumphs along the way.

    April Reign collection

    Arlington, TX

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    Karen Johnson

    Daycare owner, librarian, and educator

    Plano, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Karen Johnson

    Johnson, a care coordinator from Texas with a passion for helping others, reflects on her journey through fashion and education. Johnson also discusses spirituality, making a positive impact, and giving and receiving grace.

    April Reign collection

    Plano, TX

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    Sharon Jones

    Educator, musician, and family historian

    Houston, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Sharon Jones

    Jones traces her Texan heritage back generations, discussing the importance of family, education, and legacy. She sets her family's roots against a backdrop of racial history and social progress, emphasizing resilience and pride.

    April Reign collection

    Houston, TX

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    # Faith and Spirituality

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    John Love

    Historian, councilman, tennis enthusiast, and Juneteenth advocate

    Midland, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    John Love

    Love discusses his upbringing, Masonic affiliation, and city council tenure, revealing his dedication to community service, fight against racial injustice, political aspiration, and maintaining a family lineage tied to Juneteenth.

    April Reign collection

    Midland, TX

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    Rudolph Malveaux

    Texas-born political consultant

    Austin, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Rudolph Malveaux

    Malveaux narrates his life story, tracing his intellectual upbringing, key influences, and his journey into political consulting. Malveaux highlights extraordinary encounters and experiences that shaped his activism and career.

    April Reign collection

    Austin, TX

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    Yolanda Medina

    Literacy activist and nonprofit founder

    Murphy, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Yolanda Medina

    Medina shares her origins in Puerto Rico, navigating single motherhood in Texas, and her dedication to education. Medina also discusses language acquisition, financial hardship, and honoring her mother's legacy through service.

    April Reign collection

    Murphy, TX

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    Lydia Moore

    Civil rights pioneer, educator, and local history advocate

    Manor, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Lydia Moore

    Moore reflects on growing up in a multi-generational home in Texas, tracing her family's history back to enslavement. She reflects on her education, activism during the Civil Rights Movement, and the significance of Juneteenth.

    April Reign collection

    Manor, TX

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    Chiquita Prudhomme

    Educator, community leader, and co-founder of Renewed Black Identity

    Richardson, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Chiquita Prudhomme

    Born on Juneteenth, Prudhomme discusses her upbringing in New Mexico, her move to Texas, and her career as an educator. She reflects on her family history and non-profit work focusing on Black identity and community empowerment.

    April Reign collection

    Richardson, TX

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    Rosie Riddick

    Civil rights activist, union founder, and city library board member

    Pflugerville, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Rosie Riddick

    Riddick shares reflections on her life, emphasizing the importance of education, activism, and cultural heritage. She discusses her participation in SNCC, overcoming discrimination, and oral history's role in preserving truth.

    April Reign collection

    Pflugerville, TX

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    Shruronda Robinson

    Entrepreneur and community advocate

    Austin, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Shruronda Robinson

    Robinson traces her personal and professional growth through experience with activism, management, singlemotherhood, and helping found the Black Leaders Collective. Robinson also discusses community engagement and systemic change.

    April Reign collection

    Austin, TX

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    Marsha Roy

    Social justice advocate, nonprofit leader, and champion for educational equity

    Garland, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Marsha Roy

    Roy shares her life as a Texas-born nurse, caring for patients with chronic and terminal illnesses, dealing with personal loss, and navigating experiences with racism. She also discusses her journey from Tyler to Garland.

    April Reign collection

    Garland, TX

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    # Parenthood

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    Tammy Smithers

    Philanthropist, scholar, and and Juneteenth Museum collaborator

    Houston, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Tammy Smithers

    Smithers reflects on her family, upbringing, and the community that shaped her. She details her professional path from philanthropy to wealth management and her recent work, including with the National Juneteenth Museum.

    April Reign collection

    Houston, TX

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    Peggy Sostand

    Beaumont native and advocate for family history and community connection

    Garland, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Peggy Sostand

    Sostand shares her story, starting with her Texas roots, upbringing, and family history. Sostand emphasizes the importance of Black history, community, and Juneteenth, and advocates for education, mentorship, and preservation.

    April Reign collection

    Garland, TX

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    Calvin Stephens

    Texas-born teacher

    Dallas, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Calvin Stephens

    Stephens reflects on his upbringing, building a legacy as an entrepreneur and advocate for minority business development, military service, education, the genesis of Juneteenth rodeos, and the importance of family and community.

    April Reign collection

    Dallas, TX

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    Sandra Stephens

    Civil rights officer and education advocate

    Dallas, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Sandra Stephens

    Stephens shares her journey from her childhood in East Texas, her college experiences, embarking on a career in civil rights, meeting her husband serendipitously in Dallas, and the importance of community and legacy.

    April Reign collection

    Dallas, TX

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    Mary White

    Educator and university chair

    Houston, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Mary White

    White discusses her experiences raising two sons as a single mother in Texas, navigating educational challenges and societal stigmas, building a career as an educator, and advocating for student-centered learning.

    April Reign collection

    Houston, TX

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    Roxy Williamson

    Teacher and Juneteenth advocate

    Galveston, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Roxy Williamson

    Williamson recounts her Texan roots, discovering her Black identity at Savannah State, her activism preserving Juneteenth's legacy and combating gerrymandering, battling cancer, family influence, and the importance of community.

    April Reign collection

    Galveston, TX

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    Robin LaVerne Wilson

    Filmmaker, activist, and choir member

    Converse, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Robin LaVerne Wilson

    Wilson shares her journey from Texas to New York and back, exploring identity, activism, and the complexities of family relationships. She discusses academic pursuits, work as a political artist, and caring for her mother.

    April Reign collection

    Converse, TX

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    ‘Give them all the truth.
    They can make the determination on their own.’
    Damon Jackson
    curtain