Search Interviews

Cousins Katrina Watson (26) and Courtney Gilbert (28) reflect on the summers they spent at their grandmother's house in Tennessee and how their parents created the space for them to make wonderful memories with each other throughout their childhoods.

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...

One Small Step Partners, Marc Bady (38) and Keith Bergthold (72), discuss their community involvement in Fresno and reflect on the role that music, arts, and culture can play in being unifying forces.

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...

Kathy Lofton (no age given) speaks with colleague Taylor Stuckert (no age given) on their work with Lead for America’s American Connection Corps and the strengthening of their connection to community through service.

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,...

Frank Crum (49) shares a conversation with his colleague Roosevelt Jones (85) about Roosevelt’s childhood, his time in college, his military service, his career, his family, and his perspective on life.

Connie Smith-Lindsey [no age given] and James Boykin (65) are fellow members of Ebenezer Baptist Church, in Atlanta Georgia. They talk about the Boykin family's history with Ebenezer, which stretches back to 1935.

Yvonne Matthews (69) and her conversation partner Franchesca Peña [no age given] discuss Yvonne's upbringing, what originally motivated her to pursue music, and several milestones in her career as a musician and educator.

Husband and wife, Johnny "John" Davis (79) and Rosie Phillips Davis (74), talk about John’s life, his military service, and becoming a physician’s assistant.

Kerry Johnson (28) and his friend, mentor, and former tennis coach Kevin Essary (42) discuss the culture of the sport and what their relationship has meant to each of them.

Aiesha Hunter (35) and Tajama Phillips (43) discuss their work with Indomitable Families affected by Incarceration and their personal experiences with the criminal justice system.

Friends and colleagues Lynne Boone (59) and Hilary Howarth (69) share stories about their families, childhoods, and travels.

Stephanie Riddle [no age given] interviews her nephew Elliot Riddle [no age given] about his experience attending college in Tennessee, getting involved with school organizations, and his expectations on his new journey moving to Dallas, Texas for a new job...

Mary Parnell Payne (99) is interviewed by her son Dr. Michael Payne (64) about growing up in rural Tennessee, her memories of her grandparents, voting, becoming a lab technician at the University of Chicago, and her thoughts on the current...

Former student, Dale Hutchens (58) interviews his band director, William T. Robinson, III (74) about his career as a band director and his experience teaching students during the beginning of integration in Alabama.

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.

Old friends Vonnie McMillan (74) and George Moore (90) recall how they met and share thoughts on the legacies they hope to leave behind.

Dr. L.C. Myles Jr. (54) interviews his wife, Ambassador Dr. Sharron J. Brown (51), about her life, touching on her experiences with abuse and human trafficking, and her life now writing and speaking on those topics.

Kiplyn Primus (60) has a conversation with fellow Atlanta Business League member Andrella Kenner (67). Andrella shares how she came to found CI² Aviation, Inc., the nation’s only minority owned, woman owned, small and disadvantaged business engaged in providing air...

Sonya Hollins (55) interviews her mother Elvira Bernard [no age given] about Elvira’s decision to go back to school as single mother of four children in order to become a nurse. They also discuss hurdles Elvira faced in the nursing...

Friends Vaneet Singh (43) and Queen Keskessa (51) speak about their journeys to the United States, their first impressions of each other, and Vaneet’s Sikh faith.

Andrew Walker (62) interviews his father, Mordecai Walker (97), about his childhood memories, working in agriculture, and Black history.

Crystal DeBerry (40) talked with her board members Kristy Smith (45) and Torey DeBerry (43) about the creation of Indomitable Families Affected by Incarceration (IFAM). They discuss why they started and continue this work.