Interviews - I See My Light Shining

Interviews

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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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    Nora Brooks Blakely

    Educator, writer, and playwright

    Chicago, IL

    Eve Ewing
    Collection

    Nora Brooks Blakely

    Blakely shares her unique upbringing as the daughter of Gwendolyn Brooks, her journey from educator to children's playwright, and her ambitions as steward of her mother's literary legacy.

    Eve Ewing collection

    Chicago, IL

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    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

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    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

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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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    # Black Power and Civil Rights

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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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    Joseph Hawkins

    Louisiana native, Texas local, and general contractor

    Lancaster, TX

    April Reign
    Collection

    Joseph Hawkins

    Coming from a large family in Beaumont, Texas, Hawkins recounts his experiences with college life, entrepreneurship, and overcoming professional setbacks. Hawkins emphasizes the personal significance of community in his journey.

    April Reign collection

    Lancaster, TX

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    Ralph Hopkins

    Lindy hop champion and beach party organizer

    New York City, NY

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Ralph Hopkins

    From Newark to the dance floors and beaches of New York, Hopkins shares stories of his childhood, his passion for cooking, his achievements as an award-winning lindy hop dancer, and bringing people together at Riis Beach.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    New York City, NY

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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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    Landa Lakes

    Two-spirit drag performer, Indigenous activist, and cultural innovator

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Landa Lakes

    Thomas, known as Landa Lakes, describes becoming a key figure in San Francisco's drag and two-spirit communities. They discuss early gender explorations, the first Native American drag troupe, and the impact of drag on activism.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    Cathryn McGill

    Performer and founder of New Mexico Black Leadership Committee

    Albuquerque, NM

    Ellery Washington
    Collection

    Cathryn McGill

    McGill reflects on her upbringing in Oklahoma, navigating racial tension, finding her voice in church choirs, and transitioning from artist to advocate, emphasizing the importance of visibility for Black communities in New Mexico.

    Ellery Washington collection

    Albuquerque, NM

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    Taura Musgrove

    Oakland school founder and multi-award-winning filmmaker

    Baltimore, MD

    Robin Coste Lewis
    Collection

    Taura Musgrove

    Musgrove details founding an arts school in Oakland, becoming a film producer, navigating Sundance and Pixar, and a beekeeping sabbatical, all while never losing sight of her mission to uplift and inspire the next generation.

    Robin Coste Lewis collection

    Baltimore, MD

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    Monica Palacios

    Pioneering Chicana comedian and activist

    San Francisco, CA

    Carolina De Robertis
    Collection

    Monica Palacios

    Palacios discusses becoming a pioneering queer Chicana comedian, from her early stand-up to her solo performances, her work with VIVA Gay and Lesbian Latino Artists, challenges in mainstream and LGBTQ+ spaces, and mentorship.

    Carolina De Robertis collection

    San Francisco, CA

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    # Oklahoma

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    Shalanda Sims

    Portland native, World Stage Theatre founder, and performer

    Portland, OR

    Renée Watson
    Collection

    Shalanda Sims

    Reflecting on her upbringing, family, and work, Sims details unearthing hidden Black heritage in Portland, transforming her findings into enriching historical theater, and fostering community through her production company.

    Renée Watson collection

    Portland, OR

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    Wendy Thomas

    Tulsa arts promoter and community development advocate

    Ann Arbor, MI

    Caleb Gayle
    Collection

    Wendy Thomas

    Thomas shares her journey from New York, to Oklahoma, her studies at the University of Tulsa, and her rise in the arts and nonprofit sector. She also discusses commitments to community advancement, diversity, and inclusivity.

    Caleb Gayle collection

    Ann Arbor, MI

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    Alina Troyano

    Playwright, performance artist, and actress

    Atlanta, GA

    Denice Frohman
    Collection

    Alina Troyano

    Troyano reflects on her journey from Havana to New York, the creation of Carmelita Tropicana, her path through performance art, theater, and activism, and the crucial role of community and mentorship in her artistic development.

    Denice Frohman collection

    Atlanta, GA

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    Harry Waters

    Actor, educator, and advocate for Black theater

    Minneapolis MN

    Jenna "J" Wortham
    Collection

    Harry Waters

    Waters shares his life story—growing up as a Black Lutheran in Denver, his experiences in New York before AIDS, his family and career transitions, activism, navigating his sexual identity, and his impact on theater and community.

    Jenna "J" Wortham collection

    Minneapolis MN

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    ‘If you want to learn about the history of the place,
    learn about its ocean, as well as the land.’
    Thomas Kaulukukui Jr.
    curtain