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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    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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    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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    Nani Brooks

    Educator, principal, and advocate for special education

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Nani Brooks

    Brooks reflects on her Hawaiian childhood, becoming a principal in Los Angeles, her commitment to children with special needs, her battle with cancer, her faith, and her personal growth through returning to college after decades.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    Velynn Brown

    Faith & Equity founder, anti-racist facilitator, and community healer

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    Velynn Brown

    Brown recounts her life in Portland, Oregon, highlighting her family's deep roots in the community, struggles with maintaining identity amidst gentrification, efforts to preserve Black culture, and finding joy despite grief.

    Renée Watson collection

    Portland, OR

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    # Segregation and Desegregation

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    Charles Carter

    Albuquerque community servant and addiction counselor

    Albuquerque, NM

    Ellery Washington
    Collection

    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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    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

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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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    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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    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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    Julian Dorcelien

    Brooklyn-born, Connecticut-raised owner of a historic guesthouse

    New York, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Julian Dorcelien

    Dorcelien discusses his evolving connection to Fire Island, the Pines, and Cherry Grove, touching on their significance for queer and Black communities and his commitment to maintaining safe spaces for queer people.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    New York, NY

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    # Gender Identity

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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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    Charnetta Hutson

    Portland mentor and performing arts ministry founder

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    Charnetta Hutson

    Hutson reflects on finding her father, navigating life as a Black woman in Portland, her spiritual growth through Das PHAT Ministries, gentrification's impact on her community, her mother's legacy, and performing arts ministry.

    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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    Ayo Maat

    Disability justice advocate and faith practitioner

    Chicago, IL

    Eve Ewing
    Collection

    Ayo Maat

    Maat reflects on her life, emphasizing her African and Native American heritage, experiences with disability, activism within disability justice movements, cultural influences, spirituality, and her role as a healer.

    Eve Ewing collection

    Chicago, IL

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    Lisa Manning-Saunders

    FaithBridge director aiding women in recovery and healing

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    Lisa Manning-Saunders

    Manning-Saunders reflects on healing from trauma, finding faith, and founding FaithBridge Portland, offering trauma healing designed for Black and brown women and girls, to bolster hope and the capacity to dream in her community.

    Renée Watson collection

    Portland, OR

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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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    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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    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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    Glynis Morrow

    Civil servant, Wilfandel Club president, and museum volunteer

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Glynis Morrow

    Morrow shares her journey from her New Orleans roots to achieving a master's degree and embarking on a fulfilling career in public administration. She also discusses her passion for the arts and her involvement in social clubs.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    # Nightlife

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    Meshell Ndegeocello

    Accomplished musician and Grammy Award winner

    New York, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Meshell Ndegeocello

    Ndegeocello discusses her experiences with identity, the significance of water in her life, her work in music, her thoughts on nonbinary representation, and the connections between her personal history and her creative work.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    New York, NY

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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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    Janetta Pegues

    Chicago native, librarian, and community advocate

    Chicago, IL

    Eve Ewing
    Collection

    Janetta Pegues

    Pegues discusses her early life in Chicago's ABLA Homes, transformative experiences in Wisconsin and Haiti, becoming a respected librarian, the role of faith and community in her life, and her contributions to library services.

    Eve Ewing collection

    Chicago, IL

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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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    # Multiculturalism and Diversity

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    Vivian Varela

    Non-binary, two-spirit elder and queer rights champion

    Garden Grove, CA

    Caro De Robertis
    Collection

    Vivian Varela

    Varela discusses growing up with food insecurity, missionary work in Latin America, leaving home, coming out, attending a pivotal conference, and identifying as non-binary and two-spirit at age 65.

    Caro De Robertis collection

    Garden Grove, CA

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    Nellie Ward

    Trailblazing optician, cybersecurity professional, and educator

    Albuquerque, NM

    Ellery Washington
    Collection

    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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    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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    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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    Mike Widener

    History professor of Black studies

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Mike Widener

    Widener shares his life journey, from growing up in Oroville and Watts to his 42-year tenure at Compton College. He discusses his family history, experiences with racism, his career in education, and reuniting with his wife, Edra.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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    ‘You’re responsible for your own happiness.’
    Shereen Beverly
    curtain