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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    Camelia Adkins

    Texas native and civil rights advocate

    Farmers Branch, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Camelia Adkins

    Atkins recounts her East Texas upbringing, navigating racial integration, and her life in Dallas. Atkins also discusses family traditions, including Juneteenth celebrations, her nursing career, and surviving domestic violence.

    April Reign collection

    Farmers Branch, 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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    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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    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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    # Literature and Writing

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    Norman Gayle

    Hospital operations executive and community activist

    Tulsa, OK

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Norman Gayle

    Gayle reflects on his move from New York to Tulsa with his family in pursuit of a better life. He discusses adapting to a new community, the city's changing face, and the virtues of raising a family in Tulsa.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Tulsa, OK

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    Sylvia Ewing Harvey

    Leadership coach, poet, climate action non-profit director

    Chicago, IL

    Eve Ewing
    Collection

    Sylvia Ewing Harvey

    Harvey shares her journey through adolescence and early adulthood, wandering from Erie to Florida and California, encountering love, danger, and self-discovery. She also reflects on her complex family dynamics.

    Eve Ewing collection

    Chicago, IL

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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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    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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    Donna Kelly

    Portland local, dedicated volunteer, and avid traveler

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    Donna Kelly

    Kelly shares her reflections on childhood, navigating the complexities of identity and race, her career transitions, and the evolving nature of social justice. Kelly also expresses her hopes for her grandchildren's future.

    Renée Watson collection

    Portland, OR

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    Lila McKay

    Chicago native and advocate for early childhood development

    Chicago, IL

    Eve Ewing
    Collection

    Lila McKay

    McKay discusses her early life at the Cabrini-Green projects, navigating teen pregnancy, fostering her children's education, attaining a chemistry degree at age fifty, nurturing her family, and her aspirations to open a daycare.

    Eve Ewing collection

    Chicago, IL

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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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    Adrienne Nelson

    First Black female federal judge in Oregon

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    Adrienne Nelson

    Nelson shares her journey from Kansas City to Portland, reflecting on overcoming racial barriers, transformative encounters with Black leaders, her career as Oregon's first Black female judge, and her commitment to community.

    Renée Watson collection

    Portland, OR

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    # Multiculturalism and Diversity

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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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    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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    Edra Widener

    Retired teacher and family matriarch

    Los Angeles, CA

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Edra Widener

    Widener recounts her early days in Los Angeles, educational ventures, and roles as a teacher, parent, and grandparent. She also discusses her family's migration history, her racial identity, and her spirituality.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Los Angeles, CA

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