Search Interviews

Sonja Bryant (50) shares a conversation with her friend, Paula Goble (62), about Paula’s childhood, her family, and her siblings. Sonja and Paula also talk about growing up in the Columbus, Georgia area and about a trip they took together...

Shaquill Gibson (21) is interviewed by CHS staff person Kemali Green (28) about growing up in Bed-Stuy Brooklyn and his community there. They also reflect on the COVID-19 pandemic, incarceration and racial justice.

Friends Selina X [no age given] and Teronia C (60) talks about how they each ended up in prison, what their sentencing was like, and what the re-entry journey looked like for each of them.

Activists Sophie Secor (22) and John Xavier Acosta (33) have a discussion with friend and fellow activist Darwensi Clark (42) about their convictions and thoughts surrounding New York politics.

Jayden Mayo (18) speaks with CHS staff person Kemali Green (28) about growing up in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the lessons he learned from his grandfather, his experiences with incarceration and his goals for the future.

Hennessy Garcia (23) is interviewed by friend Darwensi Clark (42) about their upbringing, family background, and experience as an organizer fighting for the liberation of Black trans and queer people. Garcia reflects on how their trajectory has changed, from signing...

Partners Joi Purvy (35) and Jasper Joyner (33) sit down to talk about their beloved city, Memphis. The two talk reflect on the kind and welcoming community that has embraced them and provided them security as Black queers. They also...

Sartura Smith (62) talks with her friend LaTamarah "Tammi" Stackhouse (48) about growing up in Tampa, Florida during segregation. She describes Central Avenue, a historic district for black owned businesses, her parents being restaurant owners there, family dinner traditions and...

Sister-friends Bridget Graham [no age given] and Lisa Jones [no age given] talk about the longevity and closeness of their relationship over the course of many changes in their lives. They reflect on first connecting in high school, on the...

Evaine Kirkland (21) and his mother Tara Kirkland-Rainey (61) talk about becoming an adopted family and how Evaine's life has changed.

Naomi Love (27) interviews her new friend Susan Canaday Henry (48) about getting over her arachnophobia, her career, her relationship with art, her childhood, and the life lessons that she has learned along the way.

One Small Step conversation partners Robin Boone (66) and Jim Pokorny (63) discuss their formative political experiences, their relationship with Christianity, the importance of finding common ground with those of different political affiliations, and the essential goodness of human nature.

Stephen Thomas (37) and Rosalie McGhie (63) interview Stephen's grandmother and Rosalie's mother, Thelma McGhie (88), about her immigration to the United States and her life here working as a seamstress and a dietician.

Friends Frank Dawson [no age given] and John Forbes (77) reflect on their childhoods and "angels," the careers where they were the first black men to do many things, and how their work led them to meet each other.

Ruth (72) talks to her daughter Latressa (38) about growing up in rural South Carolina, moving to New York City when she was 18 and her life as a nurse and mother.

Colleagues Briiz Jean-Baptise Vicioso (19) and Ru Hensley (24) talk about their experiences growing up as young queer people, how their understanding of gender and sexuality has changed over time, and the hopes they have for the work they do...

Siblings Ereka Craig (59) and Gary Tinsley (77) share memories of their late mother, a figure who was deeply involved in the Africatown community.

Daughter and mother Adria Dunn (52) and Dr. Irene Dunn (74) discuss their family history, legacy, and Irene's decision to join the Army Reserve.

Williams Craft [no age given] interviews his spouse Kathy Burnell (54) about her life, her relationship with her parents, childhood memories, and her education and career trajectory.

Tyler Colón (21) interviews his neighbor Juanita Dean (92) about her life in and memories of Harlem. She also talks about her family and her career path.

Gregory Carey (67) interviews his neighbors Ruthann Richert (72) and Joyce Larson [no age given] about moving to Harlem in the 1980s, and about their life in the Mount Morris Park community.

Najah Abdul-Qawiyy (21) talks with Asmaa Elamrousy (23) about her upbringing on Staten Island, her values and identity as a Black Muslim woman, her relationships with her family and her mother's leadership in the community, and her aspirations to be...

Kemali Green, CHS staff person, interviews Naquan Homes about his childhood expeiences, his family and his goals for the future.

"Southern Search"

Reggie Smith (57) interviews Shyronn Jones (35) about her childhood in Brooklyn, NY. She remembers starting to take care of herself at age 16 and reflects on being a single mother with HIV.