Search Interviews

Akiba Shabazz talks with her daughters Naja and Zuri about her life growing up with her parents in Memphis, her marriages and travels.

Bernard Scott Rush, 68, by his daughter, Nicole Rush (Maat Free), 35, about growing up in Mississippi then moving to New York City.

Akili Brown talks to his friend Alexis Peskine about their time at Howard University together, the Jamaican school system, their favorite music and how they want to be remembered.

Atem Da’Hajhock (28) and John Kuai (27) talk with Joan Hecht (57) about their experiences as one of the many young refugees from Sudan called the Lost Boys.

A woman interviews her husband about growing up in rural Georgia and moving to Detroit where he joined a band. He then interviews her about her childhood in Brooklyn, and the blending of their two families.

Christina Mongomery (25) talks to facilitator Eloise Melzer (29) about being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis 2 years ago and how it has affected her life.

Debra Taylor (59) tell her son Eric Taylor (28)

Rochelle Williams (55) speaks with her husband Charles Williams (53) about her family’s history in Plateau, AL, also known as Africatown. The two discuss the new attention the community is receiving in light of the discovery of the Clotilda ship...

Friends Queen Keskessa (51) and Antonio Quinn Edwards (58) speak about their first impressions of each other, Antonio’s identity as an artist, and Queen’s experience coming to the United States and her Ethiopian identity.

Wayne Curtis (67) speaks with his wife, Joycelyn Curtis (66), about his business Mobile Alabama Africatown Drummers. They discuss how drumming can positively impact mental health, the importance of teaching music to young people, and the historical significance of African...

Kristin Tubre (28) talks to sister Kimberly Tubre (24) about their childhoods, their parents’ divorce, and being from New Orleans.

Carlissia, 21, interviews Sylverna, 57, about growing up in Virginia and Baltimore during the Civil Rights Movement, her interest in libraries, becoming Dean of Libraries at the University of Memphis, and the problems facing African Americans today.

Troy Grant (41) talks to his former student, Alexis Saunders (17), about how he started teaching, his educational philosophy, and some of his favorite classroom memories.

Chandra Blackwell, 40, interviews her mother Nadine Blackwell, 80, about her memory and involvement in Brown vs. the Board of Education, integrating the Topeka Fire Department, and integrating the downtown Topeka restaurants.

Melvin Taylor (49) asks his associate Doris Green about her career as an ethnomusicologist, her creation of Greenotation (an integrated score of percussive music and dance notation), and the time she spent traveling in Africa to learn more about the...

Vernell talks to her granddaughter about her childhood, early adult life, travels to West Africa and advice on family life. Her parents were strict and also sacrificed so their children could attend a private Methodist school. The school was attended...

Friends Timothy D. Holley, 36, and Marcus M. Williams, 25, discuss comemorating Martin Luther King Day, their careers and spirituality.

Sarah Padgett (24) interviews new friend Brandy Tolbert (34) about Brandy’s childhood, her family, and her children. Brandy also talks about her role as the director of the Literacy Alliance and how she discovered her passion for literacy work.

Cousins Bobby Dennison (71) and Patricia Frazier (72) speak about their family history as Clotilda descendants. The Clotilda was the last slave ship to arrive in the US. The two discuss the lives of their ancestors Lottie and James, highlighting...

George II interviews his father George I about his life, military service, happiness, beliefs, struggles.

Claire interviews Emma Lou about growing up in Chestnut, Alabama. Emma Lou remembers from childhood about her mother, great-grandmother and her brother, Jim.

Malik Brooks (14) and his teacher Matthew Coons (28) talk about music, school and violence in the community.

Michael Diaz-Rivera (23) interviews his mother, Linda Diaz-Rivera-Cleveland (46) about her life, focusing on her experience as a mother.

Tricia Nelson interviews her parents, Horace and Carol Nelson about their decision to marry and immigrate to the United States at a very young age.