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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    Daphne Bethel

    Retired librarian, youth mentor, and community advocate

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    Daphne Bethel

    Bethel recounts her journey from Kansas to Portland, focusing on her contributions as a pastor's wife, community advocate, and educator, reflecting on nurturing young minds, community work, and her hopes for Portland's future.

    Renée Watson collection

    Portland, OR

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    Kim Black

    Pastor, community service provider, and bereavement minister

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    Kim Black

    With roots in Mississippi and Texas, Black details her journey to Portland. Reflecting on experiences of racism, gentrification, and displacement, she finds strength in her upbringing, education, and passion for music and poetry.

    Renée Watson collection

    Portland, OR

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    Alcena Boozer

    Portland native, educator, pioneering Black priest, and activist

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    Alcena Boozer

    Boozer reflects on her upbringing in Portland's mixed community during segregation, her family’s resilience, her journey as a teacher and principal at Jefferson High School, her activism, and her calling to the priesthood.

    Renée Watson collection

    Portland, OR

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    # Segregation and Desegregation

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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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    Phyllis Currie

    Pioneering Black internal auditor and adoption advocate

    Albuquerque, NM

    Ellery Washington
    Collection

    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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    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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    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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    Billie Frazier

    Retired Portland educator and dedicated community mentor

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    Billie Frazier

    Frazier discusses growing up in Portland, overcoming challenges in a single-parent household, forging a career in education as a history teacher and dean, and his faith, marriage, and vision for future Black educators in Portland.

    Renée Watson collection

    Portland, OR

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    Mary Hamilton

    Retired educator and longtime North East Portland resident

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    Mary Hamilton

    From a childhood in a large West Virginian family with modest means to moving to Portland, Hamilton reflects on her life experiences, including motherhood, work in education and fitness, and her role in church communities.

    Renée Watson collection

    Portland, OR

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    David Jackson

    Acclaimed DJ and music industry veteran

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    David Jackson

    Jackson shares his journey from his childhood in Los Angeles to becoming an influential DJ and youth mentor in Portland. He discusses early music exposure, overcoming homelessness, mentoring at-risk youth, and evolving into a DJ.

    Renée Watson collection

    Portland, OR

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    Owen Lawson

    Documentary photographer and former history teacher

    Chicago, IL

    Eve Ewing
    Collection

    Owen Lawson

    Born on Chicago's South Side, Lawson reflects on becoming politically conscious, the Civil Rights Movement, teaching in Mississippi, meeting Fannie Lou Hamer, and his lifelong work as a revolutionary journalist and photographer.

    Eve Ewing collection

    Chicago, IL

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    # New York

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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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    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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    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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    Emma Pettiford-Pearson
    Janice Henry
    Carmen Spratley

    New Mexico native, history keeper, and matriarch

    Albuquerque, NM

    Ellery Washington
    Collection

    Emma Pettiford-Pearson
    Janice Henry
    Carmen Spratley

    Pettiford-Pearson shares early memories of her pioneering family, her experiences with segregation, and community service. Her daughters discuss their own paths and cultural shifts in Albuquerque, highlighting family resilience.

    Ellery Washington collection

    Albuquerque, NM

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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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    Shawnte Sims

    Maintenance supervisor, gospel choir leader, and community photographer

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    Shawnte Sims

    Sims shares his journey from a youth passionate about electronics and sports, through leadership roles and early career explorations, to becoming a cherished community leader, devoted family man, and acclaimed photographer.

    Renée Watson collection

    Portland, OR

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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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    Mariah Taylor

    Portland community servant, clinic founder, and Oprah awardee

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    Mariah Taylor

    Taylor shares her life story, from immigrating to Vanport as a child and surviving the 1948 flood, to becoming a nurse and activist, reflecting on family history, faith, musical passions, and serving Portland's underprivileged.

    Renée Watson collection

    Portland, OR

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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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    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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    # Texas

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    Janice Washington

    Minister and musician

    Albuquerque, NM

    Ellery Washington
    Collection

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