Athens Oral History Project

Descriptive Summary
Title: Athens Oral History Project
Creator: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Creator: Stephens, Alexander Maxwell, 1988-
Creator: Bean, Betsy
Inclusive Dates: 2014-
Language(s): English
Extent: 158 interview(s)
Collection Number: RBRL361AOHP
Repository: Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies
Abstract: The Athens Oral History Project was initiated in 2014 to document modern Athens history, roughly from the mid-twentieth century to the present. Interviews cover topics such as neighborhoods and communities in Athens, civil rights demonstrations, African American history, as well as personal histories of narrators.

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Collection Description

Scope and Content

The Athens Oral History Project was initiated in 2014 to document modern Athens history, roughly from the mid-twentieth century to the present. Interviews cover topics such as neighborhoods and communities in Athens, civil rights demonstrations, African American history, as well as personal histories of narrators.

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Administrative Information

Custodial History

The Athens Oral History Project was initiated in 2014 to document modern Athens history, roughly from the mid-twentieth century to the present. Interviews cover topics such as neighborhoods and communities in Athens, civil rights demonstrations, African American history, as well as personal histories of narrators.

Preferred citation

Athens Oral History Project, Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia Libraries, Athens, Georgia, 30602-1641.

Processing Information

Original and transfer media for this collection include digital audio and video files.

Copyright Information

Resources may be used under the guidelines described by the U.S. Copyright Office in Section 107, Title 17, United States Code (Fair use). Parties interested in production or commercial use of the resources should contact the Russell Library for a fee schedule.

Finding Aid Publication

Finding aid prepared on: 2014.

General Notes

Content Warning: Some interviews in this collection contain harmful or distressing content, to include racism, racial violence, and racial slurs.

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Related Materials and Subjects

Subject Terms

Related Collections in this Repository

First Person Project

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Series Descriptions and Folder Listing

 

AOHP-001 Homer Wilson interviewed by Alexander Stephens

1 sound_recording(s) 67 minutes

Homer Wilson was born on May 22, 1946 and grew up in Madison County. He earned a certificate in forest from Fort Valley State College. In this interview, he discusses how he began working in his father's barbershop, Wilson's Styling Shop, in downtown Athens, Georgia. He talks about helping found the Hot Corner Association to share the history of the Hot Corner business district and promote minority entrepreneurship in downtown Athens.

AOHP-001 Homer Wilson audio and interview index in OHMS, 2014 June 25 Access Online

 

AOHP-002 Bennie McKinley interviewed by Alexander Stephens

1 sound_recording(s) 52 minutes

Bennie McKinley was born in Athens, Georgia in 1945 and grew up in segregated neighborhoods in Athens. She attended Reese Street School and Athens High and Industrial School. In this interview, she discusses her early experiences with segregation, her student activism with the civil rights movement and integration, the community role of the Hot Corner district, and female leaders from African American communities in Athens. She talks about the process of desegregation, racism, her retail career at the University of Georgia, and her mission to educate new generations about the past.

AOHP-002 Bennie McKinley audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-003 Archibald Killian interviewed by Alexander Stephens

1 moving_image(s) 98 minutes

Archibald Killian was born in Athens, GA in 1933. He studied at the Burdett School of Business in Boston, and served as a police officer overseas in the U.S. Air Force. In this interview, Killian discusses the process of desegregation of the University of Georgia and his decision to house Hamilton Holmes, one of the first two African-American students admitted to UGA, despite threats from the Klu Klux Klan. Killian also reflects on being one of the first African Americans to integrate the police department, his eventual decision to leave that job and join the postal service., and his role as pastor of the St. Mark AME Church after his retirement. Killian also comments on both positive and negative changes that he has witnessed in Athens over the years, and the importance of teaching history to young people.

AOHP-003 Archibald Killian video and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-004 Gwen O'Looney interviewed by Betsy Bean, Part 1

1 moving_image(s) 132 minutes

Gwendolyn Ingram O'Looney grew up on St. Simon's Island, graduated from the University of Georgia, and has worked in human service positions throughout her career. In this interview, she talks about her public service career in local politics, as a city council member and two-term mayor of Athens-Clarke County. She describes issues affecting Athens during the 1980s, as well as the race relations and women and minority representation at the time. O'Looney discusses the city-county unification process that created Athens-Clarke County, its ramifications, and her involvement in carrying out consolidation in her role as mayor.

AOHP-004 Gwen O'Looney video and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-005 Gwen O'Looney interviewed by Betsy Bean, Part 2

1 moving_image(s) 112 minutes

Gwendolyn Ingram O'Looney grew up on St. Simon's Island, graduated from the University of Georgia, and has worked in human service positions throughout her career. In this follow-up interview, O'Looney discusses more specifically the initiatives relating to solid waste management, water management, and economic development that she coordinated during her terms in office as mayor of Athens-Clarke County. She also discusses the partnership created between the city-county government and the University of Georgia, the improvement of transportation infrastructure, and the redevelopment of East Athens.

AOHP-005 Gwen O'Looney video and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-006 Anne Brightwell interviewed by Betsy Bean

1 sound_recording(s) 61 minutes

Anne Brightwell grew up in the small town of Union, Missouri, outside of St. Louis. She graduated from Lindenwood College, and was involved in social activism relating to race and integration alongside her husband Frank. After moving to Athens, Georgia, they became involved in activism there, including printing the newspaper United Free Press, from their home. In this interview, Brightwell discusses her experiences as a teacher in Clarke Central High School in Athens-Clarke County. She talks about administrational support, school diversity, white flight, the connection between poverty and education, and the positive influence of the school's athletic program on developing interracial understanding.

AOHP-006 Anne Brightwell audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-007 Lemuel LaRoche (Life the Griot) and Alexander Stephens

1 moving_image(s) 126 minutes

Lemuel LaRoche, also known as a Life The Griot, is a poet, community activist, and founder of the Athens non-profit, Chess and Community. He grew up in New York, and moved to Georgia where he attended Gordon College and later transferred to the University of Georgia. In this interview, LaRoche talks about his upbringing and early influences, his experience of the intersection between race and education, his decision to study social work at the master's level, and his growing involvement in community engagement in Athens. He discusses Dreaded Mindz and Chess and Community, two community engagement initiatives he helped to spearhead. He discusses social conditioning, structural issues that affect the African-American community in Athens, and the relationship between the University of Georgia and the community. He reflects on fatherhood and working towards creating a better future.

AOHP-007 Lemuel LaRoche video and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-008 Carol White interviewed by Bill Curry

1 moving_image(s) 93 minutes

Carol White was born in Jericho, Vermont. White received a degree in political science from Southern Mississippi and a Master's degree from Florida State University. She became one of the assistant coaches for a high school football team, and she took stats and taught kicking for the team. In 1985, White joined the coaching staff at Georgia Tech. White talks about how she started her specialized kicking camp called KICK-AID.

AOHP-008 Carol White video and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-009 Hattie Heflin interviewed by Alexander Stephens

1 sound_recording(s) 85 minutes

Hattie Heflin was born in Oglethorpe County, Georgia in 1954. She grew up on a family farm in Comer, Georgia as one of eleven children. Heflin's family moved to Athens while she was in the fourth grade. She came to attend the then recently-integrated Clarke Central High School and later Athens Technical College to study business education. Heflin eventually worked at the Clarke County Health Department where she stayed for 34 years. In this interview, Heflin talks about her upbringing, work experience, education, her mother's legacy, and the Athens community.

AOHP-009 Hattie Heflin audio interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-010 Broderick Flanigan interviewed by Alexander Stephens

1 sound_recording(s) 62 minutes

Broderick Flanigan was born in Athens, Georgia in 1983. He attended Gaines Elementary School and later Clarke Central High School. During this time, Flanigan lived in the Nellie B neighborhood, a historically prominent neighborhood in Athens. Flanigan currently works as a mentor in his community as the owner of Flanigan's Portrait Studio. In this interview, Flanigan talks about his upbringing, his work and inspiration in mentorship, the importance of a community, and the relationship between the Athens community and the University of Georgia.

AOHP-010 Broderick Flanigan audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-011 Antonio Ramirez interviewed by Soledad Palacios

1 moving_image(s) 39 minutes

Antonio Ramirez lived in Mexico City until moving to Athens, Georgia in 1995. After working in construction, he and his wife opened a family-owned restaurant, Tlaloc El Mexicano, in 2007. In this interview, Ramirez talks about starting the restaurant, the types of dishes served, and the relationship between the restaurant, its customers, and the community.

Antonio Ramirez vivió en Mexico D.F. hasta que se mudó a Athens, Georgia en 1995. Después de trabajar en la construcción, él y su esposa abrieron un restaurante familiar, llamado Tlaloc El Mexicano, en 2007. En esta entrevista, Ramirez habla sobre el inicio del restaurante, la variedad de platos servidos y la relación entre el restaurante, su clientela y la comunidad.

AOHP-011 Antonio Ramirez video interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-012 Florinda Arroyo interviewed by Soledad Palacios

1 moving_image(s) 22 minutes

Florinda Arroyo was born in the state Michoacán, Mexico and moved to Athens, Georgia with her husband, where they opened the restaurant Tlaloc, El Mexicano. In this interview, she talks about learning to cook as a child, the idea to start the restaurant, the initial difficulties, the restaurant's growth, and the relationship between Tlaloc, its customers, and the community.

Florinda Arroyo se nació en el estado de Michoacán en México y se mudó a Athens, Georgia con su esposo, donde abrieron el restaurante Tlaloc, El Mexicano. En esta entrevista, ella habla sobre aprendiendo de cocinar como niña, la idea de abrir el restaurante, las dificultades iniciales, el crecimiento del restaurante y la relación entre Tlaloc, sus clientes y la comunidad.

AOHP-012 Florinda Arroyo video interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-013 Alonso Haro interviewed by Soledad Palacios

1 moving_image(s) 56 minutes

Alonso Haro grew up in Zacatecas, Mexico, after which he moved back to the U.S. in 1992, where he eventually settled in Athens, Georgia. Haro worked in his father's restaurant, Taqueria La Parrilla, where he is currently a co-owner. In this interview, he talks about his family, his father's inspiration for opening a restaurant, an employee-focused work culture, and the restaurant's relationship to its customers and the community.

Alonso Haro creció en Zacatecas, México, después de que regresó para los Estados Unidos en 1992, donde eventualmente se estableció en Athens, Georgia. Haro trabajó en el restaurante de su padre, La Taqueria La Parrilla, donde actualmente es uno de los dueños. En esta entrevista, él habla sobre su família, la inspiración de su padre para abrir un restaurante, una cultura de trabajo familiar que se enfoca en los empleados y la relación del restaurante con su clientela y la comunidad.

AOHP-013 Alonso Haro video interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-014 Aida Quinones interviewed by Soledad Palacios

1 moving_image(s) 40 minutes

Aída Quiñones was born in Puerto Rico, but transferred to study at the University of Georgia. She worked for a year as a special education teacher, after which she worked with the Hispanic community in various roles in schools and organizations. In this interview, she discusses her focus on her work with Latino families, difficulties and highlights of her career, and compares cultural norms between Puerto Rico and the U.S. Quiñones also talks about who inspires her, her plans for the future, and her identity as Puerto Rican and as a Spanish-speaker.

Aída Quiñones nació en Puerto Rico, pero se trasladó a la Universidad de Georgia para estudiar. Ella trabajó por un año como maestra de educacción especial, después de que trabajó con la comunidad hispana en várias papeles en escuelas y organizacioens comunales. En esta entrevista, ella discute su enfoque en trabajo con famílias latinas, momentos difíciles y destacados de su carrera y compara normas culturales entre Puerto Rico y los Estados Unidos. Quiñones también habla sobre quién la inspira, sus planes para el futuro y su identidad como una puertorriqueña y hispanohablante.

AOHP-014 Aida Quinones video interview and bilingual index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-015 Noe Ramirez interviewed by Soledad Palacios

1 sound_recording(s) 58 minutes

Noe Ramirez was born in Morelia, Mexico and currently lives in Athens, Georgia where he works as chef and menu-developer at the restaurant Taqueria La Parrilla. He discusses his early cooking experience, experimenting with recipes, and his connection to the restaurant and its customers.

Noe Ramirez se nació en Morelia, México y actualmente vive en Athens, Georgia donde trabaja como cocinero y desarrollador del menú para el restaurante Taqueria la Parrilla. Él habla sobre sus primeras experiencias cocinando, experimentando con recetas, y su conexión al restaurante y su clientela.

AOHP-015 Noe Ramirez audio interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-016 Lili Roberts interviewed by Soledad Palacios

1 moving_image(s) 48 minutes

Lili Roberts was born in Guadalajara, Mexico, moved to Athens, Georgia in 1996 and works as a manager at the restaurant Taqueria La Parrilla. Among other things, she discusses her work at the restaurant, her philosophy as a manager, her identity as a Latina woman, and her love for her family and the city of Athens.

Lili Robert se nació en Guadalajara, México y se mudó a Athens, Georgia en 1996, donde trabaja actualmente como gerente en el restaurante Taquería La Parrilla. Entre otras cosas, ella discute su trabajo en el restaurante, su filosofía acerca ser un gerente, su identidad como mujer latina y su amor por su familia y la ciudad de Athens.

AOHP-016 Lili Roberts video interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-017 Miriam Hernandez interviewed by Soledad Palacios

1 moving_image(s) 42 minutes

Miriam Hernandez grew up in Athens, Georgia and currently works at her uncle's restaurant, Tlaloc El Mexicano. In this interview, she talks about her family, her stepfather's deportation, working from an early age, and becoming a young mother. She also reflects on her life experiences and how they have shaped her attitude.

Miriam Hernandez se nació en Athens, Georgia y actualmente trabaja en el restaurante de su tío, Tlaloc El Mexicano. En esta entrevista, ella habla sobre su familia, la deportación de su padrastro, trabajando desde una edad joven y ser una madre jóven. Ella refleja sobre las experiencias de su vida y como han afectado su actitud.

AOHP-017 Miriam Hernandez video interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-018 Adela Rosales interviewed by Soledad Palacios

1 sound_recording(s) 32 minutes

Adela Rosales was born in Mexico and moved to Athens, Georgia in 2000 with her husband. She talks about the move, raising her children, and finding access to resources and support through community organizations like the Athens Latino Center for Education and Services (ALCES). She enrolled in classes to finish her GED and learn English.

Adela Rosales se nació en México y se mudó a Athens, Georgia en 2000 con su esposo. Ella habla sobre el cambio, criando sus hijos, e encontrando acceso a recursos y apoyo a través de organizaciones comunitarios como Athens Latino Center for Education and Services (ALCES). Ella se matriculó en clases para sacar su GED y aprender inglés.

AOHP-018 Adela Rosales audio interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-019 Ed Benson interviewed by Gary Bertsch

1 moving_image(s) 48 minutes

AOHP-019 Ed Benson video interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-020 Lora Smothers interviewed by Iva Dimitrova

1 moving_image(s) 59 minutes

Smothers relates her own educational experiences in traditional schools to her experience at the Freedom to Grow Unschool, an alternative school outside of Athens, Georgia. She discusses the "unschooling" philosophy, how it's applied at Freedom to Grow through interdisciplinary learning, and the challenges and rewards she has encountered as director of the school.

AOHP-020 Lora Smothers video interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-021 Iliana Rodriguez interviewed by Iva Dimitrova

1 moving_image(s) 90 minutes

While enrolled at the University of Georgia, Iliana Rodriguez recalls becoming informed about the Georgia ban on undocumented students to public colleges and universities, which prompted her involvement in Freedom University. She discusses co-founding the Undocumented Student Alliance, a student ally group in support of Freedom University, and recalls the evolution of the group's mission and activism over time. She discusses having to negotiate her Latina identity and issues of belonging while growing up, but how her background has served to inform her graduate-level research into Mexican immigration in Georgia and the undocumented student movement.

AOHP-021 Iliana Rodriguez audio interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-022 Neal Lester interviewed by Kim Waters

1 moving_image(s) 94 minutes

Neal Lester is a professor of English at the University of Arizona focusing on African-American literature and theater. He discusses growing up in the South, his increasing awareness of race with age, and his views regarding white allyship, African-American identity, travelling as a black person, having discussions on race, and the belief in the power of personal transformation.

AOHP-022 Neal Lester video interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-023 Iwalani Farfour interviewed by Curtis Jester

1 sound_recording(s) 35 minutes

AOHP-023 Iwalani Farfour audio interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-024 Jacqueline Coburn interviewed by Curtis Jester

1 sound_recording(s) 36 minutes

AOHP-024 Jacqueline Coburn audio interview and index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-025 Jill Read interviewed by James Reap

1 interview(s) 107 minutes

Jill Jayne Read attended both Wesleyan University and the University of Georgia where she got a Bachelor's of Music and a Master's in Public Administration, respectively. After marrying and moving to Athens, Georgia, Read served in a number of public administration positions. Read describes her experience in a variety of organizations, including working in the Heritage Foundation (an organization dedicated to the restoration of Athens' architecture) and her eventual work as a community relations officer for Athens-Clarke County. Read talks about her leadership and participation in a multitude of projects and events including the Downtown Revitalization Committee, Franklin College Chamber Series, Morton Theatre Corporation, WUGA Radio, Arts Alive Radio Program, the creation of the Athens Graphic Ordinance, New Arts Review, Nuçi's Space, University of Georgia State Botanical Garden, Blue Skies Concert Series, National Dance Week, Community Mural Project, Georgia Museum of Art, the Classic Center, Lyndon House Art Center, and the Morton Theatre Restoration Project.

AOHP-025 Jill Read audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-026 Knowa Johnson interviewed by Christian Lopez

Knowa D. Johnson and his wife, Mokah Jasmine Johnson, moved from Orlando, Florida to North Atlanta, Georgia in 2009 to expand their network reach and business experience. After 2yrs of co-producing a magazine, working as publicist and operations manager of an independent record label, they brought their background as event producers, media and hip hop entrepreneurs to Athens, Georgia. Their first year in Clarke County, together they founded the Athens Hip Hop Awards, an annual event focused on showcasing hip hop culture and recognizing black-owned business in the community. Years later they founded the Athens Anti-Discrimination Movement (AADM), originally a volunteer-led group that first challenged the discrimination in bars in downtown Athens while pushing for the passing of an anti-discrimination ordinance and civil rights commission. In these interviews, Knowa D. Johnson discusses his growing political involvement in Athens, both as an activist through the AADM group as well as working on political campaigns, including Tabitha Johnson-Green's 2018 campaign for U.S. House of Representatives Dist. 10 and former ACC commissioner Harry Sims' campaign for mayor of Athens in the 2018 midterm election cycle.

AOHP-026-01 Knowa Johnson, Interview 1 ( 1 sound_recording(s) 150 minutes )

AOHP-026-01 Knowa Johnson, Interview 1 on Kaltura Access Online

AOHP-026-02 Knowa Johnson, Interview 2 ( 1 sound_recording(s) 37 minutes )

AOHP-026-02 Knowa Johnson, Interview 2 on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-027 Linda Davis interviewed by Kimberly Davis

1 sound_recording(s) 46 minutes

Linda Davis was born and raised in the Brooklyn Community of Athens, Georgia. She is president of the Bethlehem Cemetery Society and has been honored by The Athens-Clarke Heritage Foundation. In this interview, Davis details her experience growing up in Athens and places that stood out in the community, such as the Jack R. Wells Housing Community and the Brooklyn Cemetery. She explains the importance of the cemetery to the black community and how she aims to preserve it.

AOHP-027 Linda Davis audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-028 Harry L. Sims interviewed by Knowa Johnson

1 sound_recording(s) 79 minutes

Harry Sims grew up in Athens, Georgia and received a Bachelor's degree from the University of Georgia. He taught at David C. Barrow Elementary before retiring and served as Athens City Commissioner before running for mayor. In this interview, Sims discusses his experience of school segregation and being a black man in Athens, Ga. He also shares his take on the unification of the government and how he got involved in politics.

AOHP-028 Harry Sims audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-029 Walter Allen Jr. interviewed by Knowa Johnson

1 sound_recording(s) 28 minutes

Walter Allen Jr. has lived in Athens his entire life, graduating from Cedar Shoals High School and attending the University of Georgia for two years. He left the university to work full-time for a local radio station and later started a successful black lifestyle magazine called the Zebra Magazine. In this interview, Allen recalls his experiences in black radio, travelling for work, and his wishes for his magazine.

AOHP-029 Wallter Allen Jr. audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-030 Bennie Roberson interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 72 minutes

Bennie Roberson was born in Athens in 1947 where he attended Union Baptist Institute and, upon its completion, Lyons Middle School. In this interview, he recalls historically significant areas such as The Bottom, East Athens, and Hot Corner and describes how Black commerce has become less prominent. He discusses the self-sufficiency of living in the country, the importance of morals, and how community solidarity has disappeared since integration. Roberson emphasizes how the Black community is excluded from certain spheres even today and its relationship with the justice system.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-030 Bennie Roberson audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-031 Thomas Griffith interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 71 minutes

Thomas Griffith was born in Madison County and moved with his family to Athens as a young teen. Throughout the interview, he stresses the importance of his mother's Christian faith in instilling strong morals in him and his brothers and her determination to bring them up correctly after his father passed away. He compares the education he received during segregation to the education his children received after integration and recalls his active role in advocating for workers' rights, particularly within the union. Griffith recounts a lawsuit the workers filed against Westinghouse Electric Corporation on the grounds of discrimination and their victory.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-031 Thomas Griffith audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-032 Bennie Lee Coleman III interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 61 minutes

Bennie Lee Coleman III was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. He grew up with a single mother, his aunt and his grandmother in a little house on Oconee Street. In this interview Coleman shares how his values were shaped by listening to the advice and stories of the people in the Black community of Athens. He explains why he decided to run for Mayor in Athens and the care and respect he has for his people. He recalls specific people and places on Hot Corner as well as his experiences facing poverty and hunger as a child.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-032 Bennie Lee Coleman III audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-033 Donarell Green interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 61 minutes

Donarell R. Green III was born in Atlanta, Georgia in 1946. His family moved to Athens shortly after his birth to start a medical practice for Black Athenians. In this interview he remembers the Susan Medical Center, growing up as the son of a doctor, and attending Burney-Harris High School. Green discusses prominent racial issues, specifically those regarding education, and he shares memories from his time on the Athens-Clarke County Board of Education. Green also recalls moments throughout his life where he experienced Civil Rights and opposing KKK protests, in Athens, Washington D.C., and Atlanta.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-033 Donarell Green audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-034 Julia Jones interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 71 minutes

Julia Jones was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. She attended West Broad street School and Athens High and Industrial School before furthering her education at Albany State University. In this interview, Jones reflects on her childhood and upbringing in Athens. She discusses her love for sports and how that translated into a lifelong involvement with sports and the community. She also talks about the life and legacy of her grandfather Harry 'Squab' Jones and the impact that he has had on her.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-034 Julia Jones audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-035 Michael Middlebrooks interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 67 minutes

Michael Middlebrooks was born in Athens, Georgia in 1956 and lived there for the majority of his life. He attended the University of Georgia and later worked for Georgia Power for 40 years. In this interview, Middlebrooks recalls his upbringing, the jobs he had throughout his life, and the significance of Black communities and Hot Corner. He also discusses his experiences with integration and inequality in the education system and he emphasizes the role that his experiences with education has had on his outlook on life and the way that he has raised his children.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-035 Michael Middlebrooks audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-036 Ken Dious interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 96 minutes

Ken Dious was born and raised in Athens, Georgia, where he attended the University of Georgia and earned a law degree. After spending some time doing civil rights litigation with the NAACP, Dious returned to Athens to establish his own law firm. In this interview, Dious discusses his upbringing, his experience with segregation and consequently integration, and the evolution of the Black community. He elaborates upon influential cases that impacted civil rights, the practice of law today, and his observations of the Black community in Athens.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-036 Ken Dious audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-037 John Clark interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 64 minutes

John Clark was raised in Oglethorpe County in a family of twelve siblings and moved to Athens upon the death of his father in 1965. After completing Burney-Harris High School, he served in the military before returning to Georgia and studying law at Savannah State University. In this interview, he recounts his experiences growing up at the end of the Jim Crow era, his path to activism, and how his career has shown him that serving the community is more important than making a profit. He also discusses community relations in the Black community and how he feels that they are too focused on sports today, instead of resurrecting strong intergenerational relationships.

Remote interview

AOHP-037 John Clark audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-038 Walter Allen Jr. interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 38 minutes

Walter Allen Jr. was born and raised in Athens, GA during the city's period of integration. In this interview he recalls his experiences with the integration process, attending seven different public schools, and being bused to schools on the other side of the city. He shares his love of music and passion for radio, listing the places he has worked and notable people he has worked with. He also mentions his father, Walter Allen Sr., and his magazine, Zebra.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-038 Walter Allen Jr. audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-039 James Deadwyler interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 73 minutes

James Deadwyler was born and raised in rural Winterville, GA, just outside of Athens. His parents passed when he was young and he was forced to drop out of school to make a living. In this interview, he describes his professional career working with numerous construction companies and on many notable projects. He explains the limitations and barriers to his success as a Black contractor during a still segregated period, and the effort he put into his work to overcome such hindrances. Deadwyler also mentions the church at which he was a deacon, the road where he grew up, and many teachers that influenced his life at Athens High and Industrial School.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-039 James Deadwyler audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-040 Tommy Brown interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 78 minutes

Tommy Brown was born in Athens in 1940 to a family of seventeen children. Growing up as a sharecropper, he learned much about self-sufficiency and entrepreneurship. In this interview, Brown shares his experiences with the Ku Klux Klan, workplace tensions, and his role in the solving of the murder of Lemuel Penn. He spent much of his life employed at the Chicopee Mill, but he was always doing something secondary to make extra money. Brown also goes into great detail describing the layout of the Athens he grew up with, highlighting businesses and individuals he remembers.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-040 Tommy Brown audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-041 Fannie Smith interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 87 minutes

Fannie Smith was born in Oglethorpe County, GA and, as a child, moved with her family to Athens, GA, where she remained the rest of her life. In this interview she talks about integrating Clarke County schools, working through high school and college, and facing situations where she was the only Black person in the room. She shares her memories of volunteering with the NAACP and marching with her family in Downtown Athens. Smith talks about her career as a business and technology educator and her passion for teaching, especially with the Future Business Leaders of America organization.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-041 Fannie Smith audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-042 Pearl Hall interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 54 minutes

Pearl Hall was born in Rocksprings Homes in Athens and has lived a life dedicated to serving the public. She attended West Broad Street School, Burney-Harris High School, and was a part of the first class to formally integrate into Clarke Central. In this interview, Hall discusses her upbringing, relationships in the community, areas of Black business, and why she decided to run for mayor of Athens-Clarke County.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-042 Pearl Hall audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-043 Billy Wade interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 104 minutes

Billy Wade was born in Athens in 1954. An active member in the community, he was influenced by figures such as athletes, coaches, and elders that helped shape his career into one of the most impactful coaches in Athens history. In this interview, Wade retells what he knows and what he learned about Athens Black sports history during his career and how the community has changed. He discusses at great length the athletes he worked with and his experiences with sports.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-043 Billy Wade audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-044 Marion Stroud

AOHP-044-01 Marion Stroud interviewed by William Breeding, Part 1 ( 1 interview(s) 97 minutes )

Marion Stroud was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. He attended Union Baptist Institute and Athens High and Industrial School before receiving a football scholarship to Allen University. While in college, Stroud served in the U.S. Air Force in Germany and studied German at Frankfurt University. He finally received his Master's in Arts at the University of Georgia and continued his passion for Art through his career and his band. In this interview, Stroud discusses the history of the Athens Black Economy. He also recalls the Black communities that once thrived in Athens and gives explanations for their demise.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-044-01 Marion Stroud Part 1 audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

AOHP-044-02 Marion Stroud interviewed by William Breeding, Part 2 ( 1 interview(s) 47 minutes )

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-044-02 Marion Stroud Part 2 audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-045 James Sims, Jr. interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 52 minutes

James Sims, Jr. was born and raised in rural Oglethorpe County, GA, attended secondary school in Athens, GA, and spent his adult life in Augusta and Atlanta. He is the eldest of six children, in a family of community leaders and groundbreakers. In this interview, he shares memories of his time at Morehouse College, of pastoring at various Baptist Churches throughout Georgia, and of supporting the Civil Rights Movement through his leadership in organizations and support of his siblings' role in demonstrations.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-045 James Sims, Jr. audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-046 Lora Smothers interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 41 minutes

Lora Smothers, though not born and raised in Athens, felt compelled to do something about the Black education crisis in the community. Her own experiences in school, college, and graduate school made it clear to her that Black education was becoming increasingly vulnerable. After completing her education and attempting to make a difference in Athens education the traditional way, Smothers founded Joy Village School to center the education and development of Black youth. In this interview, she discusses the work she has done in Athens and Joy Village School.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-046 Lora Smothers audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-047 Arthur Sims, Sr. interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 50 minutes

Arthur Sims, Sr. moved from rural Georgia to Athens with his family when he was young and attended segregated Athens High and Industrial School. In this interview he talks about his teenage years participating in Civil Rights movements and jobs he held to fund his college education. He mentions the numerous churches where he's served after becoming ordained at an early age. He also describes Governor Maddox's axe handle segregationist movement and its relation to an Athens demonstration. He shares memories of businesses owned by Black Athenians and discusses the significance of learning about histories. See also James Sims Jr., Fannie Smith

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-047 Arthur Sims, Sr. audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-048 Wilucia Green interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 73 minutes

Wilucia Green is the second youngest of Dr. Donarell R. Green Jr.'s six children. Wilucia and her sister were two of the five Black children to integrate Athens Clarke County Public Schools in 1963. In this interview she talks about the process of integration in Athens and discusses how the racial climate in the city was very different than other towns in Georgia. Green shares her frustrations and confusion with the difference in treatment of Black versus white students and she emphasizes the impact of seeing successful Blacks in her community growing up. Also see Donarell Green and Marjorie Green Turner interviews.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-048 Wilucia Green audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-049 Marjorie Green Turner interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 63 minutes

Marjorie Green Turner is the youngest daughter of Donarell R. Green Jr., a notable doctor for Black women in Athens, Georgia. Marjorie and her sister were some of the first Black children to integrate local public schools. In this interview she shares some of her memories of segregation and desegregation. She also comments on the state of racial progress in Athens and her feelings about the racial climate almost 60 years after desegregation. See also Donarell Green and Wilucia Green interviews.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-049 Marjorie Green Turner audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-050 Shelia Neely-Norman interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 58 minutes

Shelia Neely-Norman was born in Athens in 1948 where she attended East Athens Elementary School, Lyons Middle School, and Burney-Harris High School before continuing her education in sociology and early childhood education at Paine College and Troy University. In this interview, Neely-Norman shares her experiences growing up in segregated Athens, memories of influential activists including her mother, and discusses the gentrification of neighborhoods and the University's role in it.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-050 Shelia Neely-Norman audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-051 Barbara Sheats interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 52 minutes

Barbara Sheats was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. She attended Timothy Road Elementary, Clarke Middle School, Clarke Central High School, and Athens Academy before completing her undergraduate degree at the University of Georgia. In this interview, Sheats reflects on her childhood in Athens and living with the expectations and principles of her father, Herman Sheats. She describes her work at Sheats Barber and Beauty Shop and discusses the politics within the beauty supply industry. She also talks about the history of areas that were once predominantly Black, like The Bottom, and the reasons for the decline in Black property ownership.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-051 Barbara Sheats audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-052 Candace Sheats interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 53 minutes

Candace Sheats was born in Crawford, Georgia in 1943 and later moved to Athens, Georgia in the fourth grade. She attended West Broad Elementary, Reese Street Middle School, and Athens High and Industrial School before attending Morris Brown College. In this interview, Sheats reflects on her childhood in Athens as well as her husband Herman Sheats and their business, Sheats Barber and Beauty Shop. She also describes the once entirely Black neighborhood of West Hancock Corridor and its historical legacy.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-052 Candace Sheats audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-053 Lillie P. Stewart interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 44 minutes

Lillie P. Stewart was born in Athens in 1946 to a family of nine children, herself being the second youngest. She attended East Athens Elementary School and Athens High and Industrial before dropping out, later acquiring her GED. In this interview, Stewart shares memories from her childhood about Hot Corner, how the community has changed over the duration of her life, and describes the difficulty of working while also raising children.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-053 Lillie P. Stewart audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-054 Tiffany Taylor interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 56 minutes

Tiffany Taylor was born in Athens in 1988 and grew up on the East Side. She was raised by a single mother, and the community provided assistance in her upbringing. In this interview, she recounts her experiences through her various careers and emphasizes what they have taught her, as well as the generational wisdom her family has passed on to her. Taylor is Commissioner-Elect of District 3 in Athens-Clarke County.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-054 Tiffany Taylor audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-055 Julita Sanders interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 51 minutes

Julita Sanders was born in Athens-Clarke County in 1974 and was raised by a single mother. In this interview, Sanders shares her experience in school and how it led to working with at-risk youth as an adult. Sanders discusses Juvenile Offender Advocate, Inc., an organization she founded, and her numerous accomplishments while working with the community.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-055 Julita Sanders audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-056 Charles Hardy interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 39 minutes

Charles Hardy was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. He is the current co-founder and executive director of Athens Alliance, an Athens-based organization that strives to give opportunities and provide resources for the community. In this Interview, Hardy describes his inspiration and passion for the work that he does. He details how he has devoted his life to community outreach and plays an active role in fixing the homeless situation in Athens. He also discusses the growth and accomplishments that Athens Alliance has achieved, and his future goals for the organization.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-056 Charles Hardy audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-057 Asia Thomas interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 71 minutes

Asia Thomas was born in Athens, Georgia. She is a former candidate in the Athens- Clarke County Commissioner race and has played an active role in the Athens community through her nonprofit organization, United Community Outreach. In this Interview, Thomas discusses her passion for speaking and leadership. She talks about her relationship with her faith and healing from trauma and loss. Thomas also describes her motivations behind creating the programs within the United Community outreach and how it relates to her lived experiences. She details the books that she has written and the significance that writing has had on her life.

Athens, Georgia

Content Warning: This interview includes references to sexual assault.

AOHP-057 Asia Thomas audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-058 LaKeisha Gantt interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 91 minutes

LaKeisha Gantt was born in Athens in 1978, where she attended elementary through high school. In her undergraduate years, Gantt knew that she wanted to help people, but wasn't sure how; through graduate school and upon completing her Ph.D in psychology, she set out to help young communities of color. In this interview, Gantt talks about her struggles in college, her conviction to be a resource for her community, and her experience being on the Board of Education as a Black woman.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-058 LaKeisha Gantt audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-059 Barnard Sims interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 109 minutes

Barnard Sims was born in Barrow County to a family of four. Once he started school, he realized that Black people were systematically treated differently than white people and felt that he lacked understanding of Black history. In this interview, Sims shares his journey of re-education, the importance of Black participation in government, and his authorship of The Southern Awakening: A Black Man's Guide to Liberating the Rural South.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-059 Barnard Sims audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-060 Charles Campbell interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 60 minutes

Charles Campbell was the fifth of six children in his family, growing up on hand-me-downs and often being looked after by his eldest sister in Paldo. In this interview, shares how his upbringing has affected his self-image and the importance of youth development. Campbell also discusses the importance of serving the community, local government, and generational changes.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-060 Charles Campbell audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-061 Patricia Clifton interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 84 minutes

Patricia Clifton was born and raised in Miami, Florida, moved frequently during her early adulthood, and moved permanently to Athens in 1976. In this interview, Clifton shares about her experiences working for Clarke County Public Schools and as the Principal at Hilsman Middle School. She recalls good memories as well as memories of more difficult, challenging situations. She emphasizes the importance of the schools' care for students, the families' and communities' role in the students' lives, and of education in general. She also mentions her husband Ivery D. Clifton's accomplishments as a prestigious member of the University of Georgia's faculty.

Remote interview

AOHP-061 Patricia Clifton audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-062 Shannondore Sims interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 66 minutes

Shannondore "Shane" Sims was born and raised in Athens, Georgia, in a two-parent household until the age of 12. After this turning point he experienced drug and alcohol addiction, social isolation and extreme poverty, and at age 18 he was sent to prison. In this interview Sims shares his life story, explaining how he grew through his struggles and how he turned his life around. Sims shares about the businesses he started in Athens that is dedicated to supporting all people in their journeys to recovery or stability. He conveys positive, hopeful attitudes through this reflection on his lived experiences, both difficult and joyous.

Athens, Georgia

Content Warning: This interview includes references to substance abuse.

AOHP-062 Shannondore Sims audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-063 Earnest Elder interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 63 minutes

Earnest Elder was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. He is the founder and president of the Community and Youth Development Organization, an Athens-based organization that focuses on building capacity and creating programs for the youth. In this interview, Elder describes his inspiration behind working with youth. He details the role he wants to play in the lives of children and parents in Athens, and discusses his plans to work with the school district and other youth organizations to accomplish his goals. Elder also talks about the issues that he currently sees in Athens' youth and offers the steps he would take to address them.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-063 Earnest Elder audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-064 Ethel H. Johnson

AOHP-064-01 Ethel H. Johnson interviewed by William Breeding ( 1 interview(s) 77 minutes )

Ethel Johnson was born in Athens in 1940, where she grew up and attended West Broad, Reese Street, and Athens Industrial and High School. In this interview, Johnson relates her experiences from grade school to graduate school. She talks about her childhood, influential teachers, and her time as a student teacher in Albany. Johnson also shares memories of her roommate in college and her wedding day.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-064-01 Ethel H. Johnson audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

AOHP-064-02 Ethel H. Johnson interviewed by William Breeding ( 1 interview(s) 58 minutes )

Continuing from her first interview, Ethel Johnson discusses her time in graduate school and from her career. In this interview, Johnson shares her experiences with integration as a teacher and how she became more involved in social services as her career went on. She also relates how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected her participation in the community and in church.

AOHP-064-02 Ethel H. Johnson audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-065 Jessica Johnson interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 77 minutes

Jessica Johnson was born in Athens in 1969, where she attended Alps Road Elementary School, Burney-Harris Middle School, and Clarke Central High School. Johnson earned her undergraduate degree from North Carolina Central University and her graduate degrees from Ohio State University, where she now teaches. In this interview, Johnson discusses race relations growing up in Athens, the importance of the church in her life, how she navigates racism working in academia, and her journey in being an author of a book and more than a few newspaper columns.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-065 Jessica Johnson audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-066 Larry Green interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 124 minutes

Larry Green was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. He attended West Broad street School, Lying Junior High, Burney Harris High School, and Clarke Central High School before furthering his education at Albany Technical School and DeVry University. In this interview, Green details the racial conflict that existed in Athens and the schools during integration. He describes his involvement in Civil Rights demonstrations and the significance that education and Black male teachers had on his life. Green also talks about the Vietnam War, the reactions of Black people to integration, and the role of Black police officers in the Black community.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-066 Larry Green audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-067 Phyllis Q. Stewart interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 110 minutes

Phyllis Juliette Quick Stewart was born and raised in Greensboro, North Carolina but has spent the majority of her adult life in Georgia. She was a life-long educator, beginning as an elementary school teacher and retiring as elementary school principal. In this interview Stewart shares her life story including her experiences with family, her husband, and her children. She also discusses the progression of her career through Athens public schools and the challenges she faced in various situations. Stewart also identifies fellow educators and administrators that she values as mentors and friends.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-067 Phyllis Q. Stewart audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-068 Valdon Daniels interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 67 minutes

Valdon Daniels was raised in Broadacres Homes and attended West Broad Elementary School, to which he walked every day with his older siblings. Daniels loved math, and spent much of his adult career teaching mathematics in elementary school. In this interview, Daniels talks about his experiences with integration in the public school system, racism in education, and how he has assisted the community in its development through support of extracurriculars and youth programs, even after retirement.

Remote interview

AOHP-068 Valdon Daniels audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-069 Isaiah Ellison interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 100 minutes

Isaiah Ellison was born to a large, rural Georgian family in 1948. During childhood, his family moved to several cities across the state of Georgia until they ended up in Athens, where Ellison still resides. In this interview, Ellison shares memories of KKK attacks on his homes, his father's unofficial incarceration, and bullying at the integrated Athens High School. He also shares his career experiences, including sharecropping with his family, serving as a paralegal for the Georgia Legal Services Program, and opening his own businesses. Ellison concludes with discussions of East Athens, a business center called Triangle Plaza, and political representation in the local government.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-069 Isaiah Ellison audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-070 Venus Jarrell interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 96 minutes

Venus Jarrell was born in Athens in 1946, where he attended West Broad Elementary School, Lyons Junior High, and Athens High and Industrial. He was an active band member in school and, after graduation, continued playing in the band at Mississippi Valley State University. In this interview, Jarrell talks about his time in the army (and the army band), his experience being Assistant Director at the East Athens Community, and individuals from his life he felt made an impact.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-070 Venus Jarrell audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-071 Joyce Ervin interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 53 minutes

Joyce Ervin was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. She has dedicated her life to working in education and community outreach. Ervin is the current CEO of Joyce Ervin's Open Heart Center, an organization focused on providing assistance and education to children and families in Athens who are experiencing homelessness. In this interview, Ervin details her childhood and her family. She reflects on her education and the people and experiences that inspired her to open the Open Hearts Center. Ervin also describes her organization and shares some of the ways that it has impacted people in Athens.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-071 Joyce Ervin audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-072 MyKeisha Ross interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 71 minutes

MyKeisha Ross grew up and attended school in Athens, though her family has its roots in Ohio. Raised by a single mother, Ross had to look after herself and got her first job in the sixth grade. In school, she was very active in sports and loved basketball, which continues today. In this interview, Ross discusses her values, connection to the community, and how she has worked to improve the chances of success for at-risk and impoverished youth. She also criticizes the local government.

Athens, Georgia

Content Warning: This interview includes references to sexual assault.

AOHP-072 MyKeisha Ross audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-073 Tlayra Jordan interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 93 minutes

Tlayra Jordan was born in 1981 and grew up in Ohio with her great aunt and uncle before moving to Athens as a late teen. In this interview, Jordan shares her childhood trauma and abuse and how her family's history affected her life. Jordan suffered from addiction and spent time in jail, praying that she would be saved, and she discusses the circumstances in which she had her children, who were a strong influence for her to get sober. Now, Jordan owns and directs the Mother to Mother Recovery Center.

Athens, Georgia

Content Warning: This interview includes references to addiction, sexual abuse, and domestic violence.

AOHP-073 Tlayra Jordan audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-074 Randy Watkins interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 54 minutes

Randy Watkins was born and raised in Athens, Georgia. He is the current Director of Sales and Operations of More than Blinds as well as an umpire and an officiator of various different sports. In this interview, Watkins talks about the racial divide that existed in Athens during his childhood and how he navigated it. He also discusses African American history in Athens and at the University of Georgia, along with his journey to get to where he is today.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-074 Randy Watkins audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-075 Diana Fairbairn interviewed by Lillie Norred

1 interview(s) 66 minutes

Diana Fairbairn has lived in Athens since the early 90s and has had a substantial impact on the local scene of soul food. In this interview, Fairbairn talks about her introduction to food, her experience opening Five Star Day Cafe, and what she's planning for the future after the COVID-19 pandemic. Fairbairn and her husband have two children, a son and a daughter, who Fairbairn is convinced will end up working in the food industry as they have.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-075 Diana Fairbairn audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-076 Linda Stephens interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 69 minutes

Linda Stephens was born and raised in Siloam, Georgia before moving to Athens. Stephens has served the Athens community through her work as a registered nurse, public housing community leadership roles, and her current position as an Ambassador for Athens Land Trust. In this interview, Stephens discusses the organizations that she has been involved with, becoming a foster parent, the public housing system, and activism.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-076 Linda Stephens audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-077 Alvin Sheats interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 69 minutes

Alvin Sheats was born in Waynesville, North Carolina in 1958. After living in Atlanta for several years, he and his family moved to Athens, in time for him to start the 8th grade. Today, Sheats continues to live in Athens, where he serves as the President of the local chapter of the NAACP and runs the Hancock Community Development Corporation. In this interview, he discusses his experiences as a civil rights activist and as a leading member of the Athens community.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-077 Alvin Sheats audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-078 James Russell Smith interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 72 minutes

James Russell Smith was born in 1941 and moved to Athens as a child. He currently leads The Athens Voices of Truth choir, and has done so since it was organized in 1979. In this interview he discusses his upbringing as the son of a sharecropper, his experiences in the segregated school system, and his lifelong relationship with music and the church.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-078 James Russell Smith audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-079 Angela Jackson interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 51 minutes

Angela Jackson was born in Athens in 1960 and attended several schools around the county growing up. Many of Jackson's family were educators, and so education became an important part of her life. In this interview, Jackson discusses her experience growing up during integration and being one of the earliest Black students at the University of Georgia. She also discusses her career as a teacher, principal, and executive director.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-079 Angela Jackson audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-080 Xernona Thomas interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 75 minutes

Xernona Thomas was born in Athens in 1969 to a loving home in which she admits she was spoiled by attention. She was the first Black student to be enrolled in Athens Academy, but she finished her education within the Clarke County school system. In this interview, Thomas talks about race and class in society, codeswitching, and how privilege takes on different forms.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-080 Xernona Thomas audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-081 Melvin Stroud interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 87 minutes

Melvin Stroud was born and raised in Athens and has worked in the city for decades. Stroud attended Union Baptist Institute and Athens High and Industrial before furthering his education at Fort Valley State University. In this interview, Stroud talks about growing up in Athens and the community that existed at the time. He also discusses Black land and business ownership in Athens, Civil Rights demonstrations, and the changes within the Black community over the years.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-081 Melvin Stroud audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-082 Aurelia Scott interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 78 minutes

Aurelia Scott was born and raised in Linden, New Jersey before moving to Athens, Georgia. Scott has devoted her life to being an educator and an active member of her community. In this interview, Scott discusses her childhood in New Jersey, her participation in the Civil Rights Movement, and her work in education.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-082 Aurelia Scott audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-083 Terry Bennett interviewed by Lillie Norred

1 interview(s) 23 minutes

Terry Bennett was born in Athens in 1968 and attended local schools until he graduated from Clarke County High School. After graduation, Bennett immediately went to work and eventually began work for Food for the Soul and, later, at the Sparrow's Nest. In this interview, Bennett discusses what soul food means to him, his experiences with racism, and becoming a mentor to those he encounters in his work.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-083 Terry Bennett audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-084 Barbara Barnett

AOHP-084-01 Barbara Barnett interviewed by William Breeding ( 1 interview(s) 96 minutes )

Barbara Barnett was born in Athens, Georgia in 1950. Barnett is an active member of the Athens community who has dedicated her life to working with youth. In this interview she remembers her early life, growing up in Athens neighborhoods like Morristown and Brooklyn, and her experiences throughout the early days of integration in Clarke County. She also speaks on her program "Rites of Passage", which serves Athens' Black youth by teaching Black history and empowerment.

Athens, Georgia

Content Warning: This interview contains racial slurs.

Corrections noted by Barbara Barnett post-interview: Barnett's oldest sister left Athens in 1957, not 1952. Barnett's parents had six boys and four girls. In tenth grade, Barnett transferred to Athens High School, not Athens High Industrial.

AOHP-084-01 Barbara Barnett part 1 audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

AOHP-084-02 Barbara Barnett interviewed by William Breeding ( 1 interview(s) 63 minutes )

Barbara Barnett is an active member of the community who has dedicated her life to working with the youth. Barnett has served as a Program Director of Rites of Passage, an organization focused on empowering Black youth through Black history education. In this interview, Barnett talks about her mother's involvement in the community and the influence that she had on her own work. She also reflects on her participation during the Civil Rights Movement and discusses the significance of Black history education.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-084-02 Barbara Barnett part 2 audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-085 Charles Stroud interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 83 minutes

Charles Stroud was born in Athens in 1939 to a tight-knit community. Stroud describes many of the neighborhood figures of his childhood as cousins, uncles, or aunts, even if they weren't related by blood. Stroud was an educator in Macon and Athens for a total of 36 years, teaching social studies and history in middle schools. In this interview, Stroud talks about his experiences with institutionalized racism, the effects of integration, and the education system in Georgia.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-085 Charles Stroud audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-086 Harold Rittenberry

AOHP-086-01 Harold Rittenberry interviewed by William Breeding ( 1 interview(s) 89 minutes )

Harold Rittenberry Jr. was born in Athens, Georgia in 1938. As a young man he joined the Army and was deployed to Germany. He returned to Athens in 1957 and worked several jobs throughout the years before he was able to make a living as an artist. In this interview, he talks about his upbringing in Athens and ends with his joining the Army.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-086-01 Harold Rittenberry audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

AOHP-086-02 Harold Rittenberry interviewed by William Breeding ( 1 interview(s) 121 minutes )

Harold Rittenberry Jr. was born in Athens, Georgia in 1938. As a young man he joined the Army and was deployed to Germany. He returned to Athens in 1957 and worked several jobs throughout the years before he was able to make a living as an artist. In this interview he describes his deployment to West Germany during the Cold War, and the numerous professions he has held throughout his life. He then goes on to describe being commissioned to construct benches for the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, and his career as a full-time artist.

Athens, Georgia

Content Warning: This interview includes details of graphic death.

AOHP-086-02 Harold Rittenberry audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-087 Willie Hull

AOHP-087-01 Willie Hull interviewed by William Breeding ( 1 interview(s) 137 minutes )

Willie Hull was born in Hull, Georgia in 1949 and moved to Athens in 1958, giving him childhood experiences in both rural and urban areas. After graduating from Burney-Harris High School in 1967, Hull participated in several Civil Rights protests in the late 60s, pushing for the proper integration of schools in Athens. Hull was the second-oldest of 12 children and grew up taking care of and organizing his younger siblings, leading to his career in community recreation. He served as Director of Lay Park for 38 years before retiring. In this interview, Hull discusses the differences in his upbringing in Hull versus Athens and the racism he experienced in Athens. He then goes on to talk about the progression of his career, from volunteering to retirement after 38 years as director.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-087-01 Willie Hull Part 1 audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

AOHP-087-02 Willie Hull interviewed by William Breeding ( 1 interview(s) 91 minutes )

Willie Hull was born in Hull, Georgia in 1949 and moved to Athens in 1958, giving him childhood experiences in both rural and urban areas. After graduating from Burney-Harris High School in 1967, Hull participated in several Civil Rights protests in the late 60s, pushing for the proper integration of schools in Athens. Hull was the second-oldest of 12 children and grew up taking care of and organizing his younger siblings, leading to his career in community recreation. He served as Director of Lay Park for 38 years before retiring. In this interview, Hull briefly talks about his family, then discusses the death of Edward Wright who was killed by Athens-Clarke County Police in 1995. He highlights his role and the role of Lay Park in the aftermath, and how they managed to keep peace in Athens.

Athens, Georgia

Content Warning: This interview contains references to policy brutality and murder.

AOHP-087-02 Willie Hull Part 2 audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-088 Charlotte Sosebee

AOHP-088-01 Charlotte Sosebee interviewed by William Breeding ( 1 interview(s) 63 minutes )

Charlotte Sosebee was born in Gainesville, Georgia in 1966. Sosebee attended school at White Sulfur Springs Elementary and East Hall High School. In this interview, Sosebee discusses childhood memories of family and recalls her experiences in elementary school and middle school, explaining her class clown behavior and favorite things to do.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-088-01 Charlotte Sosebee Part 1 audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

AOHP-088-02 Charlotte Sosebee interviewed by William Breeding ( 1 interview(s) 86 minutes )

Charlotte Sosebee was born in Gainesville, Georgia in 1966. She moved to Athens in 2016. In this interview, She discusses elections in Hall County, where she worked her way up from an elections clerk to interim director despite hardships with the previous director. Additionally, she explains her move to Athens and becoming Director of Elections in Clarke County, and the many new experiences and opportunities she's gained. Lastly, she describes a health scare that changed her life.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-088-02 Charlotte Sosebee Part 2 audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-089 Sterling Gardner interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 71 minutes

Edward Sterling Gardner was born in Athens in 1963, and currently works as the VP of Workforce Development Programs for the Boys & Girls Club. In this interview he discusses his experiences with race relations in the community and his academic and professional career. He also talks about his most recent work with YouthForce, an organization under the Boys & Girls Club that specializes in preparing young people for entry into the workforce.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-089 Sterling Gardner audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-090 Horace King interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 93 minutes

Horace Edward King was born in March 1953 and grew up on Henderson Extension in Athens. King went to West Broad Elementary School, Burney-Harris High School, and Athens High and Industrial School which was integrated during his senior year. King discusses playing football through integration and explains the dynamics of being one of the first African American football players at the University of Georgia. He also talks about his life after the University of Georgia, becoming a father and a Pro NFL player.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-090 Horace King audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-091 Mary McKinney interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 55 minutes

Mary Inez McKinney was born in May 1939 in Athens. She attended West Broad Street Elementary School, Reese Street Middle School, and Athens High and Industrial School. In this Interview, she discusses her experience growing up in Athens and getting married after high school. She then recalls life after moving off the grid with her husband, and talks about the different jobs she had until retirement.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-091 Mary McKinney audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-092 James Fair interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 77 minutes

James Fair was born in 1946 and grew up in Broad Acres Public Housing in Athens. After graduating with a business degree from Southern University, Fair worked in the Housing Authority, but was well known for coaching youth football and becoming President/CEO of the Athens Athletic Hall of Fame. In this interview, James Fair talks about the value of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and the experiences he gained. He highlights the importance of supporting the youth and helping them to experience new things.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-092 James Fair audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-093 Shanna Sheats interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 51 minutes

Shanna Sheats was born in 1975 in Athens and grew up off Timothy Road. In this interview, Sheats recalls her integrated education at Timothy Road Elementary, Clarke Middle School, and Clarke Central High School. She discusses attending several colleges, including Piedmont College and mortuary college, and ending up at her current position as a Funeral Director at Jackson-McWhorter Funeral Home, run by her family. Sheats also highlights the critical roles played by funeral homes and directors, both in the past and modern day, and emphasizes the importance of knowledge and learning.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-093 Shanna Sheats audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-094 Richard Dunn interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 83 minutes

Richard Dunn was born in 1952 in Washington, D.C., and was raised by his mother and grandmother. Dunn first came to Athens to pursue a television internship in the summer of 1971, but transferred to UGA that fall, and stayed for the remainder of his undergraduate studies. In this interview, Dunn discusses his experience at UGA during the 70s and his prestigious career in journalism. He then explains his youth journalism education programs Education Matters and MEU Radio Athens, and throughout the interview emphasizes the importance of positivity.

Athens, Georgia

Content Warning: This interview contains racial slurs.

AOHP-094 Richard Dunn audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-095 Thomas Oglesby interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 105 minutes

Thomas Oglesby was born in Athens in 1951 and grew up on Minor Street between Rockspring and Broad Acres. In this interview, Oglesby discusses his early life, experiences in Youth Development Centers, and his education. He connects these experiences to his passion for activism, detailing his leadership in activist movements throughout his life. Oglesby further discusses activists throughout the history of the Black community, the role of the Black Church, and emphasizes the importance of learning and understanding history.

Athens, Georgia

Content Warning: This interview contains racial slurs.

 

AOHP-096 LaTasha Sheats interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 80 minutes

LaTasha Sheats was born and raised in Athens in 1979. She attended Clarke Central High School and Albany State University for two years, eventually receiving an accounting degree at Athens Technical College. In this interview, Sheats discusses her work and life experience that allowed her to start Sheats Social Services, which focuses on helping underserved communities be self-sufficient.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-096 LaTasha Sheats audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-097 Pete McCommons and Chuck Searcy interviewed by Lee Shearer

1 interview(s) 82 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-097 Pete McCommons and Chuck Searcy video interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-098 Lydia Burden interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 82 minutes

Lydia Burden is a published author born in Athens, Georgia in 1969. She spent the majority of her childhood living in Oconee County before briefly joining the military. At 21, she was discharged due to kidney failure and eventually began writing while working various customer service-based jobs. In this interview, Burden dives into the content of her four books (one published) and her choices of form and topic, along with how it relates to her experiences with kidney disease and dialysis.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-098 Lydia Burden audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-099 Terence Johnson interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 104 minutes

Terence Johnson was born in Athens-Clarke County in 1961. During his youth, he lived in both New York and Athens, and attended an array of schools including P.S. 189, Epps Road Elementary School, and Clarke Central High School. In this interview, Johnson discusses his attitudes towards parenting styles, family values, and explains the way he raised his children. Johnson also talks about his time in law enforcement.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-099 Terence Johnson audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-100 Willie Green, Sr. interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 77 minutes

Willie Green Sr. was born in Athens in 1966. He was raised in an Athens community called Pauldoe, and attended Oglethorpe Elementary, Clarke Middle, and Clarke Central High schools. He also attended Tennessee Military Institute in Sweetwater, Tennessee before going to the University of Mississippi "Ole Miss" on an athletic scholarship to play football. He was then drafted into the NFL, playing for multiple teams before winning back-to-back Super Bowls with the Denver Broncos. In this interview, Green discusses his life up to the present, reflecting on the lives of his parents, his athletic career, and the importance of family.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-100 Willie Green, Sr. audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-101 Tony Rucker interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 109 minutes

Tony Rucker was born near Commerce in 1953 and grew up playing piano and saxophone. He attended the University of Georgia for his undergraduate and masters' degrees before attending Florida State University for his doctorate. In this interview, Rucker details his childhood experiences and his journey in academia, and the importance of educators and a positive community. He worked for Clarke Central High School teaching choir and piano for over 30 years.

Athens, Georgia

Content Warning: This interview contains racial slurs.

AOHP-101 Tony Rucker audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-102 Cassie Evans interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 61 minutes

Cassie Evans was born in Athens, Georgia in 1991. Her youth was filled with creativity, writing poems, short stories, and raps that are tied to her current music career. In this interview, she talks about her experiences in athletics growing up and how an injury changed her life's trajectory. She reflects on the path she took to get to where she is today and explains the development of her music career, along the way emphasizing her creative nature, her love for family, and her views on what music says about society.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-102 Cassie Evans audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-103 Charles Worthy interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 90 minutes

Charles Worthy was born and raised in Montgomery, Alabama. He attended Alabama State University in Montgomery, meeting his wife during his time there, and later moved to Athens for work. In this interview, he talks about his journey from a youth in Montgomery to becoming the president of the Clarke County School District Board of Education. Along the way he gives details about his time as a teacher, his achievements as principal of Cedar Shoals High School, and his role as president of the Board of Education. Throughout the interview he emphasizes the importance of education and the impact administrative decisions can have across a community.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-103 Charles Worthy audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-104 Mildred White interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 79 minutes

Mildred White was born in 1947 in the Rabbit Eye community of Athens near the current Oconee Heights area. In this interview, she discusses growing up in a rural community, her education, and the racism she has experienced throughout her life. White highlights the importance of higher education in her own life, as she attended Fort Valley College and Athens Technical College, and how she passed those values down to her granddaughter. She further reflects on her career and motherhood.

Athens, Georgia

Content Warning: This interview contains racial slurs.

AOHP-104 Mildred White audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-105 Annie Lyle interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 93 minutes

Annie Mildred Sims Lyle was born in Athens, Georgia in 1944 and was raised in the Eastside. In this interview, she talks about her experience of earning an education amidst many obstacles. She describes how she was treated as a result of her becoming a mother in high school and the many difficulties she faced on her journey to earning both an undergraduate and Master's degree in social work from the University of Georgia. Post-interview note: During the time Mrs. Lyle attended the University of Georgia, she was not aware of any other students from Athens who were attending classes at the University of Georgia.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-105 Annie Lyle audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-106 Janice Roundtree interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 79 minutes

Janice Turner Roundtree was born in Athens, GA in 1942 and raised in the Timothy Road community. She worked in the Athens-Clarke County School System for over 28 years and now enjoys retirement with her husband of 57 years. In this interview, she discusses her upbringing, travel, family, career, and the ways she gives back to the community in her retirement through volunteer work. Post-interview note: The Turner family was also a prominent family in the Timothy Road Community during Mrs. Roundtree's early life.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-106 Janice Roundtree audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-107 Danny Davenport interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 120 minutes

Danny Ronell Davenport was born in Athens, Georgia in 1965 and was raised in the Pauldoe/Jack R. Wells Community. In this interview, he details a history of his life, from childhood to his long-standing career with the Athens Housing Authority, including his time at the University of Georgia and his role in Youth Athletics in Athens. Throughout the interview he emphasizes the importance of community and the role of Athens Black communities and neighborhoods in the nurturing and raising of children.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-107 Danny Davenport audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-108 William Breeding interviewed by Tracy Smith

1 interview(s) 103 minutes

William James Breeding, Jr. was born in Dalton, Georgia and spent his youth there. He experienced how the schools in Greene County handled integration, and found success in athletics there and beyond at the University of Georgia. In this interview, he provides details from a variety of moments in his life, from his time at University of Georgia competing in Track and becoming a father, to marriage and his experiences as an educator in Athens. He further recalls experiences from his trips to Ghana, explaining many aspects of Ghanaian culture he learned firsthand.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-108 William Breeding audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-109 Deryl Bailey interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 58 minutes

Deryl Bailey, born in 1960 in North Carolina, was raised by a single mother and his grandparents. He attended the University of Virginia, among other institutions. In this interview, Bailey reflects on his academic journey, from disliking school as a child to earning a Ph.D. in counselor education. Additionally, he shares his various jobs throughout the years, highlighting his time at the University of Georgia where he teaches others to be counselors. Bailey also talks about the Empowered Youth Program, an academic enrichment program for children.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-109 Deryl Bailey audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-110 Patricia Barron interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 86 minutes

Patricia Barron was born in 1954 and raised in Atlanta. She attended Mercer University and Georgetown Law. In this interview, Barron recalls her journey to law school, mentioning that she knew from young she would be a lawyer. Additionally, she talks about her transition from being a lawyer to professor, and then to judgeship. Lastly, she discusses her aspirations for retirement.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-110 Patricia Barron audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-111 Betty Brown-Williamson interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 92 minutes

Betty Brown-Williamson was born in Dublin, Georgia in 1942 and graduated from Stillman college in 1964. She is a charter member of the Delta Sigma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority at Stillman and the Eta Xi chapter at the University of Georgia. In this interview she discusses her upbringing in Dublin, her role in the Civil Rights Movement at Stillman, and the AKA sorority.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-111 Betty Brown-Williamson audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-112 Earnest Thompson interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 74 minutes

Earnest Thompson was born in 1935 in Charleston, South Carolina. He was raised through the Great Depression and gives a look into what childhood was like in that era. In this interview, Thompson details his life, his career, and his views, providing insight as to what grade school was like in the 40s and 50s, and recalls his college years studying physics at Howard University. He reflects on his career in computer science, his role as an educator after retirement, and completes the interview sharing details about his views on God and Christianity. Throughout the interview he emphasizes the importance of a proper understanding of history and how essential love is for a successful life.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-112 Earnest Thompson audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-113 Odella Thompson interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 75 minutes

Odella Thompson was born in Athens, Georgia in 1942. She attended West Broad School, Reese Street School, and graduated from Athens High and Industrial School. She received a degree in English from Oakwood College. In this interview, Thompson discusses her experience in school and the extracurricular activities that she was a part of. Additionally, she mentions her experience with segregation, details her career as an educator, and talks about her family.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-113 Odella Thompson audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-114 Barbara McRae interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 60 minutes

Barbara McRae was born the oldest of six and grew up in a variety of places around the Southeast including Clarks Hill, SC and Augusta, GA. In this interview she discusses her education, meeting her husband and helping him start McRae Family Dental in Athens, and her experiences in motherhood. Throughout the interview, she emphasizes the role of her faith and God in her life.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-114 Barbara McRae audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-115 Matthew McRae interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 80 minutes

Matthew McRae was born in McRae-Helena, Georgia and attended Twin City Elementary and High Schools. After attending Fort Valley State University and dentistry school he, along with his wife Barbara, started McRae Family Dental in Athens, which now operates three offices. This interview focuses on McRae's development through school, his operation of a medical practice, and the details of the financial aspect of being a medical practitioner and entrepreneur.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-115 Matthew McRae audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-116 Tracy Smith interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 99 minutes

Tracy Smith was born in 1963. Her childhood was shared between Athens and Atlanta, and she constantly moved between the two. She attended Athens Technical School and interned at WXAG radio in Athens which began a long career in marketing and telecommunications. She is currently the marketing strategist at Traco Media, a company which she founded. In this interview she discusses her career in marketing, as well as her experience as a teenage mother, the modeling industry, and her family.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-116 Tracy Smith audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-117 Johnny Hutchens interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 107 minutes

Johnny Hutchens was born in 1938 in the Normaltown neighborhood of Athens. He attended segregated schools throughout his youth before starting his career in automotive body repairs and then eventually as a janitor for the University of Georgia. Hutchens also participates regularly in his church and plays bass guitar during worship. In this interview, Hutchens talks extensively about his childhood and education in Athens, about his two careers, and why he made the switch to janitorial work. He also discusses his participation in church and how he became a musician.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-117 Johnny Hutchens audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-118 Gwendolyn Stevens interviewed by Tracy Smith

1 interview(s) 89 minutes

Gwendolyn Stevens was born in Athens, Georgia in 1961. She is currently enjoying retirement after a long career in education. In this interview she discusses her upbringing in Athens, including her experiences with desegregation in elementary school and her relationships with teachers and students throughout her time in school. She then talks about her career path and her time spent as a special education teacher, followed by a description of her involvement with the church and the various outreach programs she has engaged in.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-118 Gwendolyn Stevens audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-119 Quaison Payne interviewed by Tracy Smith

1 interview(s) 76 minutes

Quaison Payne was born in 1965 in Athens, Georgia. He attended Fowler Drive Elementary, Lyons Middle School, and Cedar Shoals High School before going to Georgia Tech and earning a degree in civil engineering. Upon returning to Athens, Payne began working with his father and formed a commercial wing to his father's construction company. He continues to run the family business, and has been instrumental in shaping downtown Athens and constructing buildings across Georgia. In this interview he discusses his education and his professional career, as well as his family, his passion for addressing the issue of affordable housing, police reform, and the people of Athens who made him who he is today.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-119 Quaison Payne audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-120 Peggy Norman interviewed by Tracy Smith

1 interview(s) 75 minutes

Peggy Norman was born in 1945 in Jackson County, Georgia, and has lived in Athens for over 50 years. She grew up visiting places like Hot Corner and the Bottom, before moving to Athens and starting her career in home healthcare. In this interview, Norman discusses how life has changed in Athens over her 50 years, including topics like civil rights, housing, nightlife, and restaurants. She also talks about her childhood memories of sharecropping cotton and the evolution of the Black community.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-120 Peggy Norman audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-121 Dwain Segar interviewed by Tracy Smith

1 interview(s) 57 minutes

Dwain Segar was born in 1957 in New York City and moved to Athens with his partner, staying in the area after they separated. With past experience from his work in security, Segar founded the Kids Feel Safe program in Athens, partnering with local businesses, schools, and the police to create a safer city for youth. He also started the Segar Jazz Affair, a weekly radio show and concert series which has been ongoing for almost 15 years. In this interview, Segar talks about his various careers from management to security, along with his family and his ideas for his own future with Parkinson's Disease and the future of Athens.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-121 Dwain Segar audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-122 Arthur Hinton, Jr. interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 105 minutes

Arthur Hinton, Jr. was born in 1957 and grew up in Aliceville, Alabama. He went through the school system there, starting at a small country school run by his family and graduating from Aliceville High School following integration. He continued his education to the highest level, receiving degrees from the University of Alabama, University of Kentucky, and completing a PhD at LSU. His studies in microbiology and food science led him to a career at the USDA Richard Russell Research Center. In this interview, Hinton details this journey along with integration, his time with the Army, meeting his wife, and growing a family among.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-122 Arthur Hinton, Jr. audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-123 Bessie Hinton interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 64 minutes

Bessie Little Hinton was born in Aliceville, Alabama in 1956 into a large family. She went through the Aliceville education system, participated in Upward Bound at Stillman College, and after graduation from Aliceville High School, pursued a degree in elementary education at Stillman. She also obtained a Master's degree in counseling and crafted a strong career in education in various places, eventually settling in Athens where she educated as a reading teacher and a counselor at Winterville Elementary School for more than twenty years. In this interview, she details her experiences in life and emphasizes the importance of providing a positive experience for the children she teaches.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-123 Bessie Hinton audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-124 Larry Walter interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 65 minutes

Larry Walter was born in Athens, Georgia, five minutes before his twin brother in 1958. Walter worked several jobs throughout his life, notably in broadcasting for the University of Georgia and Georgia Public Broadcasting, and in factories in Athens. He is currently retired but sells used cars and is an active member of his community. In this interview he discusses his upbringing, integration and race relationships in school and professional settings, as well as religion, racism, and the ways in which Athens has changed during his lifetime.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-124 Larry Walter audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-125 Shundra Caldwell interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 78 minutes

Shundra Caldwell was born in Jackson, Mississippi in 1969. She was raised there alongside her cousin by her aunt, mother, and grandmother. In 1987 she graduated from Callaway High School and enrolled in Tougaloo College. In 1992, Caldwell and her husband moved to Athens and she began her career as an elementary school teacher at Fourth Street Elementary. Her career ended at Winterville Elementary after 31 years, and she is now enjoying retirement. In this interview she discusses her childhood in Jackson and her years at Tougaloo, her experiences as a teacher, raising children in Athens, and the impact educators have on their students.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-125 Shundra Caldwell audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-126 Jesse Ward interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 64 minutes

Jesse Ward was born in 1933 in Farmington, Georgia, and raised in Athens as the oldest of seven, among two sisters and four brothers. He spent a large amount of his life in Boston, Massachusetts, before moving back to Georgia. In this interview, Ward discusses how he developed and applied his skills in butchery, singing and entertainment, upholstery, and gardening. He also spends time talking about his love for sports, and expresses his appreciation of his longevity.

Athens, Georgia

Content Warning: This interview contains references to domestic violence and murder.

AOHP-126 Jesse Ward audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-127 Lamar Robinson interviewed by Tracy Smith

1 interview(s) 63 minutes

Lamar Robinson was born in 1941 in Athens, Georgia. He received his education in the Clarke County School District and graduated from Athens Technical College. Throughout this interview, Robinson focuses on Athens, talking about Hot Corner, segregation, and integration in Athens, as well as the presence of the University of Georgia.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-127 Lamar Robinson audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-128 Raymond Winfrey interviewed by Tracy Smith

1 interview(s) 63 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-128 Raymond Winfrey audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-129 Deloris Hester interviewed by Tracy Smith

1 interview(s) 74 minutes

Deloris Hester was born in Athens, Georgia in 1947. She went to West Broad Elementary and Lyons Middle School before attending Athens High and Industrial School. After graduating high school she worked as a nurse at Athens General Hospital and married her late husband, Aaron Hester Sr., who owned Hester & Barnett Service Station. They had six children together. In this interview she discusses her family and childhood in Athens and life under segregation. She also discusses her career, nightlife in Athens in the 1960s, raising a family of her own and the University of Georgia's relationship with Athens natives.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-129 Deloris Hester audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-130 Joe Lewis Marshall interviewed by Tracy Smith

1 interview(s) 74 minutes

Joe Lewis Marshall was born in Washington, Georgia in 1937 and moved to Athens as a child. He attended East Athens Elementary School and Athens High and Industrial before dropping out to work full-time. He worked briefly at the NuGrape/Budwine bottling plant before getting a job with Pepsi; a job which he held for 50 years until retiring in 2002. In this interview he discusses life under Jim Crow and the ways in which he experienced racism, sex and relationships, family, the future of African American equality, and life in Athens.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-130 Joe Lewis Marshall audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-131 Harvey Wilson interviewed by Tracy Smith

1 interview(s) 45 minutes

Harvey Jerry Wilson was born in Bogart, Georgia in 1931. Throughout his life he has performed with two gospel groups, worked in radio, and retired from Westclox/General Time clock factory in 1997 after 30 years there. In this interview he discusses these aspects of his life in detail, as well as his family, and his upbringing and education in Athens.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-131 Harvey Wilson audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-132 Ola Jennings Simmons interviewed by Tracy Smith

1 interview(s) 85 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-132 Ola Jennings Simmons audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-133 Dr. James Washington, Jr.

AOHP-133-01 Dr. James Washington, Jr. interviewed by William Breeding ( 1 interview(s) 123 minutes )

Dr. James Washington, Jr. was born in 1950 in Perry, Florida, and was raised there throughout his early education. This first part of his interview provides a look into segregated Florida and his lived experience of Jim Crow and racism in the South. It also offers a look into his personal life during his youth, as he talks about his friends, the impact his educators had on him, and what it was like to live a rural life. The interview also covers Washington's views on integration and the media, as well as his opinions on modern issues within the church.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-133-01 Dr. James Washington, Jr. part 1 audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

AOHP-133-02 Dr. James Washington, Jr. interviewed by William Breeding ( 1 interview(s) 134 minutes )

Dr. James Washington, Jr. was born in 1950 in Perry, Florida. In this second interview, Washington talks about his life post-high school, and remembers his time at Florida A&M University, where he majored in mathematics. He also talks about his seminary training at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and reflects on his time spent at the University of Georgia while he pursued his EdD in Adult Education. Along the way he dives deep into his experiences in the "Marching 100" band and running the Baptist Student Center at FAMU, his work in religious spaces following his seminary training, and valuable lessons he's learned throughout his life.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-133-02 Dr. James Washington, Jr. part 2 audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-134 Dr. Frankie Hill interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 129 minutes

Frankie Hill was born in 1950, and was raised in Florida alongside a large family. In this interview, Hill tells her story, beginning from entering first grade at an early age to serving in administrative positions in the Clarke County School District, focusing on education throughout. Throughout the interview she speaks passionately about the roles her own teachers had in her development, talks about teaching her brothers and sisters from a young age, and explains how she prioritized her own children's education. She also remembers her youth in Central Florida, recalls her time at Florida A&M University and meeting her husband, and details her experiences working in the Clarke County School District. In the process she notes how different the school district is now as compared to when she first started at Cedar Shoals High School, and explains many of the issues the school district deals with today.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-134 Dr. Frankie Hill audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-135 Sharon Washington interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 75 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-135 Sharon Washington audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-136 Cheryl Devlin interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 66 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-136 Cheryl Devlin audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-137 Sharon Cooper interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 82 minutes

Sharon Cooper was born in Athens, Georgia in 1956. She was a member of the second class to graduate from Cedar Shoals High School, and after graduation she married her husband and they have been together ever since. She attended the University of Georgia as a business major, but graduated in 1980 with a degree in early childhood education. Cooper then worked as an elementary school teacher for 25 years. In this interview she discusses her family and early life, as well as her education, which she then relates to her career as an educator. She talks in great detail about her teaching career from her methods and philosophy to the challenges of the profession.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-137 Sharon Cooper audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-138 Marcel Mincey interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 84 minutes

Marcel Mincey was born in Detroit, Michigan in 1970. In this interview, Mincey talks about his family, detailing the life of his mother in Detroit, the unique success of his uncle, and his aunt Christine "Pat" Crowder Hooks. He also details some of his own experiences, including what led him to Athens. He also talks about his experiences mining kaolin during his college years, dives into an in-depth history of Christianity, and offers his advice centered around love and appreciation for life.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-138 Marcel Mincey audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-139 Evelyn Barrow interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 69 minutes

Evelyn Barrow was born in Athens in 1947 and has spent her life there. She grew up in Newtown, graduated from Burney-Harris High School in 1965, and spent 33 years working at Hope Haven before moving to her current position of driving buses. In this interview, Barrow describes what the neighborhood was like during her childhood and her involvement in the Civil Rights Movement in Athens. She also talks about her work at Hope Haven and her 17 years of driving buses, and observes generational differences of youth today.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-139 Evelyn Barrow audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-140 John Barrow interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 94 minutes

John Barrow was born in Athens, Georgia in 1946 and was raised on Waddell Street. He graduated from Alabama State College with a degree in business administration before returning to Athens and starting his own business, Barrow Stone and Masonry. In this interview he discusses his early education at West Broad Elementary, and his passion for music and participation in the marching bands of AHIS and Alabama State College. He also talks about his involvement in the Civil Rights Movement in Athens and Montgomery, as well as family, technology, and the formation of his business.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-140 John Barrow audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-141 Deborah Weaver interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 86 minutes

Deborah Weaver was born in Athens, Georgia in 1952. She graduated from Athens High School in 1970 and worked in the medical field until getting a job with Delta Air Lines in 1977. In this interview she discusses her childhood, her early education at Mattie Eberhart's nursery school, and her memories of elementary and middle school. She also discusses her neighborhood, experiences with school integration, and her participation in a large protest in 1970.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-141 Deborah Weaver audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-142 Willie G. Pope interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 135 minutes

Willie G. Pope was born in 1947 and grew up just outside of Athens in Watkinsville, Georgia. He attended the segregated E.D. Stroud School, before moving to Athens High and Industrial after seventh grade, where he graduated the same year the school was renamed to Burney-Harris High School. After high school, Pope joined the Air Force and served in the Vietnam War, and after completing his contract he joined the Athens Sheriff's Department. During this time period he also got married and had three children. In this interview, Pope talks about segregation, his experience with racism in the Athens area, his time in Vietnam, and how to safely interact with the police.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-142 Willie G. Pope audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-143 Wilbert Pope interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 65 minutes

Wilbert Pope was born in 1957 and spent his youth in Augusta and Lincolnton, Georgia. He attended Lucy C. Laney High School, where he was a part of the band, and afterwards attended the University of Georgia, graduating with a degree in Biological Science. He then took on a job at UPS and focused on providing for his family. Pope is a long-time member of Campus View Church of Christ, and was married there in 1983. In this interview, Pope offers a look into integration and its effects in Lincolnton and Augusta, and the social climate and Black experience at the University of Georgia, as well as in Athens as a whole.

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-143 Wilbert Pope audio and interview index in OHMS Access Online

 

AOHP-144 Larry Johnson interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 106 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-144 Larry Johnson audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-145 Melvin Pounds interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 89 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-145 Melvin Pounds audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-146 Kenneth Little interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 78 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-146 Kenneth Little audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-147 Dr. Cshanyse Allen interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 110 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-147 Dr. Cshanyse Allen audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-148 Tammie Foote interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 46 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-148 Tammie Foote audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-149 Patricia Huff interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 110 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-149 Patricia Huff audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-150 Tershant Smith interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 67 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-150 Tershant Smith audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-151 Gloria Little interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 70 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-151 Gloria Little audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-152 Scott Killian interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 58 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-152 Scott Killian audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-153 Harrison Dowdy interviewed by William Breeding

1 interview(s) 93 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-153 Harrison Dowdy audio interview on Kaltura Access Online

 

AOHP-154 Lee Epting interviewed by Ashton Ellett

1 interview(s) 164 minutes

Athens, Georgia

AOHP-154 Lee Epting video interview on Kaltura