Search Interviews

Diane Hayes Powers (69) speaks to her daughter Destiny McLurkin (39) about being a part of Seattle's bussing program during school desegregation. Diane speaks about the challenges she faced as a Black student at a majority white school and how...

Grayce Gadson (71) shares with her colleague Kleopatra Gaiter (32) anecdotes from her time as a student in Florida, Indiana, and California during the desegregation of schools in America. Grayce and Kleopatra compare their varying experience with school institutions, specifically...

Colleagues and friends Terry Batey (46) and Sandra Shimon (50) talk about the successes and challenges of the equity work that they have taken on at the Chicago high school at which they work. They reflect on the lessons they've...

Kimberly Neil (30) interviews her mom, Beverly Neil (70), on her experience as a black student in Chicago's public school system during desegregation efforts.

Friends Janise Wriddle (62) and Sylester "Miles" Miles (62) describe their experiences as young students during the period of desegregation in schools. Both recall the racism and colorism they've experienced in their lives.

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...

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...

Friends and collaborators Cam Be (41) and Andre "Add-2" Daniels (37) talk about their school experiences, their development as artists, and their current work mentoring young people.

Mother-in-law and daughter-in-law Tonia Reaves (51) and Robin Young (23) talk about their experiences in school. They reflect on the impact of racism on their educational upbringings, their experiences adapting to multi-racial school environments, and their hopes for future generations.

Siblings Dorothy Davis (69) and Benjamin Davis (67) reflect on their time growing up as children of foreign service workers. They discuss the differences between going to school abroad versus in the United States as Black students during the early...

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,...

Friends Sheila Wise Rowe (63) and William "Bil" Mooney-McCoy (66) remember their childhoods amidst Boston's efforts to desegregate public schools.

Spouses Gregory Johnson (73) and Marcia Johnson (73) discuss the history of busing and desegregation in Seattle. Gregory shares his experience in the voluntary busing program.

Friends Jeanette "Mz. Beatrice" Taylor (48) and Angela Ross (40) discuss their work in response to a local school closing and the need for changes within schooling systems.

Jarrod Sport (37) interviews conversation partner and new friend Dr. Donald Felder (73) about his personal experience with school desegregation.

Friends Dallis Anderson (66) and William "Bill" Toulios (43) discuss equity in the school system. Dallis was Bill's basketball coach at the school where Bill is now the superintendent.

Spouses David Hundley (68) and Abigail Hundley (60) speak about David's experience growing up Black in Seattle.

Shawn Richard-Davis (61) discusses her upbringing with her child Rell Be Free (30). Shawn describes growing up in Seattle and the impact of participating in Seattle's school busing program.

Dr. Donald Felder (73) and talks with fellow historian and friend, Delbert Richardson (68), about growing up in Seattle and living through busing in the city. Dr. Felder was one of the first black students to be bused to a...

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.

Friends LueRachelle Brim-Atkins (76) and Jacquelyn Howard [no age given] discuss LueRachelle's childhood in Texas and her experiences with desegregation at the University of Texas. After college, LueRachelle took an internship as a teacher in Rochester, NY, and ultimately moved...

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.