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.

Filters

Collections
Topics
Locations
Go to interview

Carol Adams

Educator, researcher, and Chicago leader

Chicago, IL

Eve L. Ewing
Collection

Carol Adams

Adams discusses moving from Louisville to Chicago, her pivotal role in activism and community work, her fusion of sociology with social justice, and her transition toward capturing her rich life experiences through writing.

Eve L. Ewing collection

Chicago, IL

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Shereen Beverly

OB-GYN turned financial services professional

Los Angeles, CA

Robin Coste Lewis
Collection

Shereen Beverly

Beverly discusses her experience as a Black OB-GYN navigating inequities in healthcare, her childhood marked by activism, and her leap from medicine to financial planning, aspiring to empower Black financial literacy and wealth.

Robin Coste Lewis collection

Los Angeles, CA

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

# Politics

Go to interview

Margaret Carter

First Black woman elected to the Oregon State Legislature

Portland, OR

Renée Watson
Collection

Margaret Carter

From a disciplined, hope-driven upbringing in Shreveport, Louisiana, to breaking barriers as the first Black woman in Oregon's Legislature, Carter reflects on overcoming systemic racism, her faith, advocacy, and community service.

Renée Watson collection

Portland, OR

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Joana Clayton

Artist, educator, and UNM Women’s Center director

Albuquerque, NM

Ellery Washington
Collection

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Scott Ellsworth

Historian, Tulsa Race Massacre researcher, author

Ann Arbor, MI

Caleb Gayle
Collection

Scott Ellsworth

Ellsworth describes first learning about the Tulsa Race Massacre and eventually becoming an influential historian on the subject. He reflects on his investigations, interviews with survivors, and hidden histories.

Caleb Gayle collection

Ann Arbor, MI

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Kent Ford

Black Panther leader, walking tour guide, and children's advocate

Portland, OR

Renée Watson
Collection

Kent Ford

Ford recounts his evolution from a Louisiana native to a critical figure in Portland's Black Panther Party. He details Party initiatives, reflects on personal experiences with police brutality, and shares his hopes for the future.

Renée Watson collection

Portland, OR

Play
Interview

# California

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Avel Gordly

First Black woman elected to Oregon Senate

Portland, OR

Renée Watson
Collection

Avel Gordly

Gordly discusses growing up in Portland's, navigating racial and gender barriers in education, her path to becoming the first Black woman elected to the Oregon Senate, activism, and the power of women's networks.

Renée Watson collection

Portland, OR

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Linda Harris

Former superintendent, accomplished educator, and volunteer

Portland, OR

Renée Watson
Collection

Linda Harris

From Texas to Oregon, and from classrooms to executive offices, Harris reflects on her life's journey—her family's move, navigating segregated schools, embracing education, and rising through academia.

Renée Watson collection

Portland, OR

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Pamelya Herndon

New Mexico representative, attorney, and advocate

New York, NY

Ellery Washington
Collection

Pamelya Herndon

Herndon reflects on her family history, the importance of fighting for social justice, her college experience, and her work as a New Mexico State Representative focused on gun safety, Indigenous rights, and children's welfare.

Ellery Washington collection

New York, NY

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

# Oregon

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Sandra Jackson-Opoku

Author, journalist, poet, screenwriter, and novelist

Chicago, IL

Eve Ewing
Collection

Sandra Jackson-Opoku

Jackson-Opoku reflects on her formative years in Chicago, the impact of her African journey on her writing and worldview, her insights into the Black Arts Movement, and the evolution of her identity and creative expression.

Eve Ewing collection

Chicago, IL

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Sylvester Harvey Jr.

Chicago native and retired park police officer

Chicago, IL

Eve Ewing
Collection

Sylvester Harvey Jr.

Harvey discusses his upbringing in Chicago and Brookhaven, Mississippi, detailing his experiences with racial tension, family dynamics, personal growth amidst societal shifts and finding oneself through service and travel.

Eve Ewing collection

Chicago, IL

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Valerie Leonard

Community developer, financial consultant, and Illinois redistricting advocate

Chicago, IL

Eve Ewing
Collection

Valerie Leonard

Leonard details her early life, academic pursuits, advocacy for equitable community development, battles against discriminatory corporate practices, and her influential role in influencing tax increment financing policies.

Eve Ewing collection

Chicago, IL

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Patric McCoy

Retired environmental scientist, art collector, and documenter of Black gay life

Chicago, IL

Eve Ewing
Collection

Patric McCoy

McCoy details his experiences as a civil servant, inadvertent photojournalist, and prominent art curator and collector. He reflects on his childhood in Chicago as well as the profound impact of his father's artistic dreams.

Eve Ewing collection

Chicago, IL

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

# Policing

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Richard Pettiford

Educator, mentor to Black youth, and DJ

Portland, OR

Renée Watson
Collection

Richard Pettiford

As a beloved figure at Jefferson High School, Pettiford reflects on his childhood, career, the role Black women played in his journey, navigating fatherhood, and witnessing the impacts of gentrification in Portland.

Renée Watson collection

Portland, OR

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Rita Powdrell

Historian, family business co-founder, and community researcher

Albuquerque, NM

Ellery Washington
Collection

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

# Nightlife

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Floyd Webb

Film professional, photographer, and founder of Blacklight Festival

Chicago, IL

Eve Ewing
Collection

Floyd Webb

Webb reflects on witnessing the Great Migration, becoming a photojournalist and filmmaker influenced by social movements, his encounters with Fred Hampton, and the impact of historical figures and events on work and philosophy.

Eve Ewing collection

Chicago, IL

Play
Interview

Go to interview

Joy West

Chicago native and physician

Chicago, IL

Eve Ewing
Collection

Joy West

West discusses growing up in Altgeld Gardens, discovering her passion for medicine and becoming an OB-GYN focused on maternal health disparities, her commitment to community service, and the importance of love and support.

Eve Ewing collection

Chicago, IL

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Go to interview

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

Play
Interview

Shuffle Shuffle Shuffle Shuffle Shuffle Shuffle Shuffle
Expand
‘But I would never want to live in a world
with one race. I just wouldn’t.’
Glenda Love
curtain