Search Interviews

"Southern Search"

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...

Saul-Yuan Calvillo (25) and their colleague and friend, Vei Darling (24), talk about life and communities in New York, queerness, and the city's influence on identity.

Jacob A. Johnson (67) interviews his uncle Edgar Lawrence (92) about his time in the Navy, his transition back to civilian life, and his life after the military.

Friends, Fiona Vernal (47) and Isalena Gilzene (45), have a conversation about growing up in Jamaica, immigrating to the United States, motherhood, and education.

Longtime friends and former colleagues Cynthia Farrell Johnson [no age given] and Simone Waveney Johnson-Smith [no age given] talk about Simone’s family history, her education and career, and what being a mom means to her.

Darwensi Clark (42) speaks to writer, organizer, activist, and mother Kimberly Bernard (31) on her involvement in the Black Lives Matter movement.

Mark Ugbomah (34) asks his father, Obiajula Ugbomah (58), about his childhood, migrating to the United States, and finding home and belonging in music and important interpersonal relationships.

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...

Vanessa Young (33) interviews her friend and Loc Sister YH Empress Queen Christina Clement (43) about her life, her beliefs, and Loc Nation.

Friends and One Small Step partners Kimberly Lemite (54) and Daniel Elliott [no age given] reflect on the impact of their family histories. They talk about the legacy of slavery in the United States and what it means to truly...

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.

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.

Madaha Kinsey-Lamb (73) sits down with friend and colleague Egeria Bennett (72) to speak about the early days of Mind-Builders -- a non-profit arts education center located in Bronx. They reflect on the obstacles they faced, how they chose teachers...

Carlton Thompson (33) shares a conversation with his brother Davelle Merrick (24) and mother Yvette Thompson (56) about their experiences moving from New York to Virginia, their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the loss of their grandfather.

Kymberli Smith (18) and her foster parent Keturah Hardy (45) talk about Kimberli moving in with Keturah while in the foster care system. They discuss their pasts and traumas and what they hope for in the future.

Lenora Williams Hameed Omenka [no age given] shares her experience as a caregiver to close friends and family members with breast cancer and the importance of caring for one's self in caring for others. She shares how these experiences led...

Long-time friends and colleagues Madaha Kinsey-Lamb (73) and Jim Marley (80) discuss their work and friendship over the years.

Sherry Neil (49) and Nia Hodge (50) talk about the importance of community, conversations about mental health for Black women, and their hopes for Fresno in terms of equity.

Friends and soul sisters Natasha Herring (48) and Virginia Vasquez (40) remember their grandparents' life and talk about how they have been influenced by them at various stages in life.

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.

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.

Shelda Washington (67) has a conversation with her daughter, Laisha Washington (40), about her childhood in New York, her education, and being a mom.

Dr. Carolyn Pryor (62) interviews her friend and colleague Dr. Jovita Oruwari (55) about her career in breast cancer surgery. They talk about the importance of Black female representation in the medical field and how having a doctor who looks...

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.