Search Interviews

Twin sisters, Sheila Conway [no age given] and Sharon Malone [no age given] were among the first black students in Memphis, TN integrated into predominately white public schools, known as the Memphis 13. The two recall the violence they faced...

Colleagues Melinda Buntin (50) and John Graves (40) discuss the empirical modeling work they performed for the state of Tennessee during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Jeannette Holland (68) speaks with her son Erik Townsend (31) about her experience transferring high schools her Junior year at the onset of integration in Nashville, Tennessee. Jeannette recalls the safety and support she felt at her all-Black high school...

Colleagues David ter Kulie (51) and Sean Carroll (43) discuss the ways auxiliary services at Vanderbilt University stepped up as leaders to help the university navigate the COVID-19 pandemic and welcome students back for the fall 2020 semester.

Somerset Peede (21) speaks to her mentor [No Name Given] (60) about how COVID-19 impacted their lives and their community at the Blair School of Music.

Dwania Kyles (67) speaks with friend and fellow member of the Memphis 13 Leandrew Wiggins (68). The two discuss their differing experiences as members of the initial group of Black first graders who integrated Memphis schools during desegregation.

Husband and wife, Gloria Pillow (75) and Thomas Pillow (76), reflect on being a part of the last generation to attend segregated schools in Nashville, Tennessee. They speak fondly of their experience at their all-Black high school, Cameron.

Susan Gardner (65) speaks with her mother, Lillian Gardner (98), about their lives in Tennessee during the time of school desegregation. The two discuss the integrated Girl Scout troop they were involved in and experiencing the first year of school...

Vice Chancellors Eric Kopstain (52) and Steven "Steve" Ertel (44) discuss how COVID-19 impacted the Vanderbilt community and the university's decision to offer in-person learning during the 2020 school year.

Andrea Bordeau (37) and Arik Ohnstad (47), colleagues at Vanderbilt University, reflect on how the COVID-19 crisis impacted their work in global education.

Karim Abdullah (70) speaks with friend and colleague Phillip Hill (59) about his life growing up in Memphis and his family's history. Karim discusses the independent Black community of Mound Bayou, his experience as a student in a segregated school,...