Began by Students of African American Literature . . .

In the fall of 2007, students of African American Literature were inspired by hearing the moving oral narratives of ex-slaves taken during the Federal Writer’s Project. These students were profoundly affected and felt the need to create something of lasting value for their own community. Under the direction of their professor, Dr. Noreen Lape, the students began recording oral histories of family members, friends and others in the community.

What you will find in this project . .

Included here are candid interviews with African Americans in the South. Some share stories of hope and optimism, others of bigotry and violence. The interviewers had no list of questions they must ask, but were led to merely prompt the interviewee to share their own unique story.

List of interviews

Harold Allen Jr. was interviewed by Ryan Clopton. He talks about being the first black student at Hardaway High School before integration. He includes his experiences as an athlete in the white school system.

Rose Brown was interviewed by Tiffani Morrison. She describes her experiences in integrated school system, including intra-racism by black teachers. She also mentions how different the genders were treated in her community.

Annie Davis schools were from white schools in the segregated south. She was a part of the desegregation of the local courthouse. She also describes intra-racism because of her skin color.

Doretha Griffith was interviewed by Alise Amos . She grew up in Newark, NJ where she describes segregated sections of town as well as the riots and famous activists from that area like Amiri Baraka.

Delores Hinton was interviewed by Cornelia Hinton. She participated in a march in Atlanta with Martin Luther King and saw a march by the Ku Klux Klan.

Lonnie Jackson was interviewed by Rebecca Brown. He shares his experiences in both segregated and integrated schools, as well as his experiences in college and the military. He remembers a cross being burned in his yard.

Prince E. Jones, Sr. was interviewed by Ashley English. He remembers growing up in Cusseta, Ga on a farm. Mr. Jones includes stories his grandfather told him about slavery. He worked to integrate the school system in Cusseta. He also describes Ft. Benning when it was segregated.

Christopher Lindsey was interviewed by Tiffani Morrison. He contrasts his high school experience with the motivating experience of attending an all black college, Savannah State.

Sally Lunsford-Varner and Walter Lunsford were interviewed by Tiffany Billins. They describe growing up in Columbus, Ga. in an influential black Catholic family; their relatives helped those in the community in need and housed black celebrities when they came to town. They remember a cross burning by the KKK.

Ann Prowell was interviewed by Roxanne Jarrett. She relates that her high school still voted on white and black class favorites separately in 1982. They even had a black valedictorian and a white valedictorian. She shares her experiences as the first black woman to work at a local business.

Douglass Reid was interviewed by Tanisha Gordon. Mr. Reid remembers young blacks meeting from all over the area in downtown Columbus to socialize. He recalls segregated schools, restaurants and bathrooms. He also says how little opportunities there were for blacks for jobs in the area.

Deborah Register Turner was interviewed by Brittni Turner. She tells about growing up in Dothan, AL, winning beauty contests and traveling.

Annie Williams was interviewed by Laura Englebert. She recalls growing up in Florida and her experiences in the military. She remembers seeing a cross burning in her yard when she was a child.