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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# Migration

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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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# Black Power and Civil Rights

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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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# Safety

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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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# HIV/AIDS

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