African American Community Interviews

Adams recalls the history of the east downtown and Smoketown neighborhoods of Louisville, the predecessor organizations of the Presbyterian Community Center beginning in the 1910s, and the street corner newspaper sales business in Louisville beginning in the 1920s. Both men discuss their efforts to develop a recreation program in basketball, baseball and boxing at the Presbyterian Community Center beginning in the 1930s, the association of Muhammad Ali with the Center, and administrative changes at the Center during the early 1960s.

Alexander is a retired professor from Kentucky State University. He discusses his family history; his career and life in the Parkland area of Louisville; recounts what Parkland was like in 1952; and how he was received as one of the first blacks to move into the 2800 block of Virginia Avenue. He discusses the business, education, and retail landscape of Parkland and the deterioration of the neighborhood. At a time, thriving business and retail establishments along Virginia Avenue and Dumesnil Street. Parkland was a middle-class neighborhood during the 1950s.

Alston discusses his early life in Norfolk, Virginia and his primary and secondary education there; his college education at the North Carolina College for Negroes; his seminary training at Bishop Payne Divinity School; his ordination in the Episcopal Church; his ministry at Louisville's Church of Our Merciful Saviour, 11th and Walnut Street; work in race relations in Louisville; and general remarks on the role of the church in society.

Mr. Axman is a 50-year-old white man who was a long-time resident of the Parkland area (1927-1959). He grew up in the first graduation class of Flaget High School in 1945. He discusses his family history, boyhood years and remembrances of the Parkland area. Note the impact of church membership and social gatherings in the area.

An interview about the Southern Baptist involvement in civil rights, Louisville, Kentucky.

Beard discusses nearly twenty years of service on the board of directors of Red Cross (Community) Hospital. He covers changes in the character of the board, divisive issues, and the importance of the institution to the black community.

In this interview, Mrs. Beckett discusses her life as well as her husband�s experiences as alderman in the city of Louisville in the late 1940s and early 1950s. Mrs. Beckett briefly describes her early life and education, including her graduation from Kentucky State College. Mrs. Beckett had a career in education, but also worked with her husband, and for her brother, in the undertaking business in Louisville. She speaks of the Walnut Street area before Urban Renewal. Mrs. Beckett�s husband, William Washington Beckett, was elected alderman in 1951 and served until 1961. In this time, he played a role in the integration of the fire and police departments, the parks, and public accommodations, and in developing a Human Relations Commission. Mrs. Beckett discusses her husband�s contributions and the civil rights movement in general (both in Louisville and more generally) and gives her opinion on the roles of Martin Luther King, Jr. and the African American church.

Dr. Bell is a black physician and relates the limitations placed upon him because of his race. He was interviewed concerning his opinions and experiences in relation to the history of blacks in Louisville.

Dr. Bell discusses his early life and education, including his training at Alcorn College, Morehouse College, and Meharry Medical College. He discusses his involvement with the Red Cross Hospital, a black-run hospital in Louisville that was known as Community Hospital starting in 1972. (The hospital, founded in 1899, closed in 1975.) Dr. Bell became involved with the hospital in the early 1940s, and discusses the developments there, including the institution of a nurses' training program, integration, fundraising, and other issues. He discusses the clientele of the hospital as well as the care they received. He also talks about the loss to the black community at the closing of the hospital, and the apparent lack of loyalty the community had to the institution. He discusses Hattie Bishop Speed, as a person and as a supporter of the hospital.

Reverend Bottoms recollects his early life; his education at Simmons University; the transition of Simmons University to Simmons Bible College and the relations of this to the origin of the Louisville Municipal College of the University of Louisville; and his work as pastor of Green Street Baptist Church.

Breckenridge is a black businessman from Louisville who founded his own construction-contracting company in 1971. In this interview he discusses his life, family history, education, career and views of black history in Louisville. Redevelopment of Louisville and early black contractors are also discussed.

Mr. Bright is a third generation black Louisville businessman. He discusses his family's history in the drug store and beauty aid businesses, his education and personal history.

Bryant discusses her childhood in Detroit, Michigan, where her father was involved in fair housing work. The interview also includes recollections of her education at a private girls' school in Washington, D.C. and at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she received an AB in history; her move to Louisville with her husband, a physician; her work with the West End Community Council; and involvement with the Black Six conspiracy trial.

Mrs. Burks is the founder and president of City Plaza Personnel, a black-owned employment agency in Louisville. She discusses her personal history, her difficulties in founding her own business and her opinions on the economic history of blacks in Louisville.

Mrs. Butler discusses her recollections of Simmons University beginning around 1909; the General Association of Kentucky Baptists (formerly the General Association of Colored Baptists in Kentucky); and the American Baptist newspaper beginning around the 1930s; I. Willis Cole, editor of the Louisville Leader; and Reverend William H. Ballew of the General Association of Kentucky Baptists.

Mrs. Butler is one of Mammoth Life Insurance Company's vice presidents as well as its secretary. She discusses her career and memories of her father, Henry E. Hall, who was one of the founders of the company. She also discusses the Walnut Street black business district and Mammoth Life's building there before the 1965 Urban Renewal program.

Mrs. Casey is the daughter of William Jones, the first black licensed electrician in Kentucky. She discusses her family history, her father's work and her own life.

In this interview, Mr. Cole discusses his early education in Louisville, working for his father�s newspaper the Louisville Leader and describes what it was like to be the child of a prominent figure in the community. He describes his father physically and tempramentally and reflects on attendance at the Louisville Municipal College and urban renewal.

Mr. Coleman is a employee of the Louisville Urban League. This interview concerns his involvement with the Urban League and the Louisville Civil Rights movement.

Discussion with Judge Combs, governor of Kentucky, 1959-1963, about Frank L. Stanley, Sr. and the Civil Rights movement in Kentucky; includes legislation passed in Kentucky concerning civil rights during Combs' administration and the part Stanley played as advisor to the governor.

Mr. Cordery was Director of Consumer Service with the US Post Office in Louisville. The interview contains three main subjects: his career in the Post Office; his career in the Army Reserve; and his civilian life, including his term as president of the local chapter of the NAACP. He also discusses his involvement in originating a mortgage-lending institution for blacks in Louisville.

Mrs. Crowell was a former librarian at the Western Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library. She describes the apprentice program for librarians and her years at the library.

Mr. Davis is a local president of the International Aluminum Worker's Union and worked for many years at the Reynolds Aluminum plant in the Parkland area. He discusses the development of Reynolds Aluminum Company in the Parkland area. Mr. Davis joined the union and worked to secure workers’ rights. Gives history of the company and its role in the area and discusses the positive and mutual relationship of the company with the neighborhood.

Mr. Ealy, who came to Louisville in 1918, discusses his recollections of politics, journalism and race relations in the city from 1910s to 1970s. Specifically, this interview contains information on the African American journalists I. Willis Cole (Louisville Leader), William Warley (Louisville News), and Frank Stanley, Sr. (Louisville Defender); machine politics in the city; his recollections of life in the African American community in Louisville; and his philosophy of race relations. He also describes his early life and education.

Mr. Ealy, who came to Louisville in 1918, discusses his recollections of politics, journalism and race relations in the city from 1910s to 1970s. Specifically, this interview contains information on the African American journalists I. Willis Cole (Louisville Leader), William Warley (Louisville News), and Frank Stanley, Sr. (Louisville Defender); machine politics in the city; his recollections of life in the African American community in Louisville; and his philosophy of race relations. He also describes his early life and education.

This is the second of two interviews conducted with Mr. Ealy in 1977. Mr. Ealy, who came to Louisville in 1918, discusses his recollections of politics, journalism and race relations in the city from 1910s to 1970s. Specifically, this interview contains information on the African American journalists I. Willis Cole (Louisville Leader), William Warley (Louisville News), and Frank Stanley, Sr. (Louisville Defender); machine politics in the city; his recollections of life in the African American community in Louisville; and his philosophy of race relations. He also describes his early life and education.

Mr. Ebbs is a 75-year-old black man, and was a resident of the Parkland area during the 1940s and 1950s. He discusses his life in Louisville as well as the Parkland area during the 1940s. Early resident of the neighborhood discusses the mixed racial area and peaceful atmosphere. Recreational activities centered around the churches and related religious groups. Left the area for better living conveniences. Enjoyed Chickasaw Park and other amenities. Discusses the racial segregation of the city during the time and inequality some members of his family received.

The narrative traces Mr. Edward's moves from Moorhead, Mississippi, to Chicago, Illinois, and later to Louisville, Kentucky. During these years Mr. Edwards attended innovative programs in Chicago and graduated from Shawnee High School. After attending Western Kentucky University and Bowling Green Business College, Mr. Edwards was successful in obtaining an Office of Minority Business Enterprise (O.M.B.E.) loan for the Pressley and Edwards Machine and Welding Company. A large portion of the interviewer traces the persistent efforts of Edwards and others to make the company a success. Mr. Edwards is a member of a large extended family presently living in Louisville.

Mrs. Gilmore discusses her career as a librarian with the Indianapolis Free Public Library. He discusses his family history and his 42-year career with the railroad as a porter. Together Mr. and Mrs. Gilmore discuss their home in Parkland and the changes in the area over the years. Talks about how a mixed couple (black man, white woman) had trouble buying a house and how the racial make-up of the neighborhood changed.

The study of a black family's memories and impressions of the Depression and how it affected Kentucky's African Americans. It also contained detailed descriptions of a coal mine in Jenkins, Letcher County, Kentucky, including work, company store, pay and improvements with the coming of the War II, black sports and black comedians.

A white physician discusses his association with Red Cross (later Community) Hospital during the last years of its existence. He recalls the role of the board of directors, the failure of the institution, and the relationship between the black and Jewish medical communities in Louisville.

Mr. Goodwin, a nursery owner and local historian from Louisville, Kentucky, discusses his ancestors and other African Americans who lived in the Petersburg / Newburg area. He describes the relationships of various African Americans with white slaveowners, and the efforts blacks made to build their community following slavery. He describes his own efforts to develop his community through the location of library in Newburg and the Petersburg Historical Society's programs, as well as his fight against urban renewal. He also talks about his own career in the nursery business.

Graham, a 73-year-old African American man who was a long-time resident of Parkland. He was a 1922 graduate of Central High School as well as a graduate of Simmons University and Fisk University. He discusses his life and memories of Parkland. Mr George is active in church and religious activities in the neighborhood. Side 2 talks about the changes in the neighborhood since he moved into the area and potential reasons for those changes.

Mr. Harbin has lived in the Parkland area for over fifty years. He discusses his remembrances of early Parkland when they housed hogs and chickens. He also talks about his family and career.

Past librarians of the Western Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library discuss the black community and the history of the first branch library to open its doors to the black community in Louisville.

Hawkins, retired from the Louisville police force, recounts his work in the old Walnut Street area from 1939 until his retirement. He discusses the businesses and people in the area.

Ms. Hickman discusses her personal experiences as a black woman in Louisville. She describes her home life, education, and the jobs she held to support her family.

Hobich was the only walking or neighborhood beat policeman left in Louisville at the time of this interview. He is white and has worked in the predominantly black Parkland area for over ten years beginning in 1967. He relates some of his experiences in the area and the changes in the community over the years.

The Reverend Hodge discusses his early family life in Texas, his experiences in Civilian Conservation Corps, college, a brief history of the Fifth Street Baptist Church in Louisville, the Civil Rights movement in Louisville and and his position on the Louisville Board of Realtors.

The president of Simmons Bible College (born 1913 in Orville, Alabama) discusses his childhood and efforts to obtain an education. After running away from home at age eighteen, Holmes attended the Louisville Municipal College and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. After receiving the B.D. in 1954 Holmes taught at Simmons Bible College and later became president of the school. He discusses his efforts to obtain a formal education; the role of Simmons and its relationship to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and the current offerings of Simmons Bible College.

The president of Simmons Bible College (born 1913 in Orville, Alabama) discusses his childhood and efforts to obtain an education. After running away from home at age eighteen, Holmes attended the Louisville Municipal College and the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary in Louisville, Kentucky. After receiving the B.D. in 1954 Holmes taught at Simmons Bible College and later became president of the school. He discusses his efforts to obtain a formal education; the role of Simmons and its relationship to the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary; and the current offerings of Simmons Bible College.

A native of Louisville who has achieved some notoriety as a jazz musician, Helen Humes discusses her childhood and parents; Bessie Allen's Sunday School at Ninth and Magazine Street in Louisville, the childhood training ground for many local jazz musician

Irvin discusses her childhood in Hopkinsville, Kentucky; her primary and secondary education there; her move to Louisville in 1950, a city she found to be "friendly to blacks, but very segregated"; involvement in open housing demonstrations in Louisville's south end, led by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.; and work in Democratic politics as a precinct co -captain, captain, and committee woman.

Mrs. Jackson has been very active in the Louisville community especially with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion (AME Zion) Church in Louisville. She discusses her church activities, both local and national; her own lifetime, her family's role in desegregation and her family history.

Johnson, who was over 100 years old at the time of the interview, discusses his personal history, including his experiences as a soldier in the Spanish-American War. He also talks about his experience as a black man in America.

Mr. Johnson discusses his experiences as a school board member in Jefferson County.

Johnson discusses his role as administrator of Red Cross (Community) Hospital; the problems confronting him and the hospital; and why the hospital failed to survive.

The Jones are a black couple in their mid-fifties who were long-time residents of Parkland area. Mr. Jones was a 1935 graduate of Central High School. He discusses his schooling and career at the U.S. Post Office in Louisville. Mrs. Jones discusses her family history, education, and her career as public health nurse in Louisville. Together, they they discussed their remembrances and lives in Parkland. The process of urban renewal and the changes in the area are discussed, along with the impact of the 1937 Flood.

The eldest son of the Reverend H. Wise Jones, who was the minister of the Green Street Baptist from 1912 until 1950, discusses the history of the church, the role that religion and the church played in his life and the lives of blacks in Louisville. He also discusses the role that the black Baptist church played in the 1950s and 1960s Civil Rights movement in Louisville and the United States.

Mrs. Kenzer is the daughter of William Jones, the first licensed black electrician in Kentucky. She discusses her father's business, family memories and her own life. Talks about the John Little Presbyterian and their civic and social classes in the neighborhood and their impact. Discusses her first husband, Charles L. Eubanks, and his attempt to gain admission to UK’s School of Engineering and segregation’s role in her life. Then in her ensuing marriages, she supplied desserts to many restaurants in the city until urban renewal forced the closure of her business.

Mr. Key was a musician. He was born in Louisville but really launched his career in Chicago before touring as a singer. In this interview, he discusses his career, including the stint he did in the U.S. Army in Asia and Europe. He also discusses the music "scene" in Louisville in the middle of the twentieth century, beginning with the nightclubs that were open in the 1920s-1940s, under segregation, and including an assessment of the clubs hosting live music in the 1970s. Mr. Key also assesses the local talent, and discusses the difficulty of making it as a performer in Louisville.

Ms. Kidd discusses her life, including her childhood growing up in Bourbon County. Kidd attended the Lincoln Institute in Simpsonville, Kentucky, and then began working for Mammoth Life Insurance Company, Louisville-based black-owned life insurance company. She discusses her career with Mammoth Life, which was interupted by service in the Red Cross during World War II. She discusses her experiences with the Red Cross, both during her training and during her service overseas. She discusses differences in white attitudes, in particular. She describes her work in pubilc relations and sales after the war, as well as her political career. She was elected to the Kentucky Assembly in 1967 and began serving in 1968. She discusses her attempts to pass legislation to give tax breaks to companies that would provide training to Kentucky residents, and her successful efforts to pass a low-cost housing bill.

Ms. Kidd discusses her life, including her childhood growing up in Bourbon County. Kidd attended the Lincoln Institute in Simpsonville, Kentucky, and then began working for Mammoth Life Insurance Company, Louisville-based black-owned life insurance company. She discusses her career with Mammoth Life, which was interupted by service in the Red Cross during World War II. She discusses her experiences with the Red Cross, both during her training and during her service overseas. She discusses differences in white attitudes, in particular. She describes her work in pubilc relations and sales after the war, as well as her political career. She was elected to the Kentucky Assembly in 1967 and began serving in 1968. She discusses her attempts to pass legislation to give tax breaks to companies that would provide training to Kentucky residents, and her successful efforts to pass a low-cost housing bill.

Ms. Kidd discusses her life, including her childhood growing up in Bourbon County. Kidd attended the Lincoln Institute in Simpsonville, Kentucky, and then began working for Mammoth Life Insurance Company, Louisville-based black-owned life insurance company. She discusses her career with Mammoth Life, which was interupted by service in the Red Cross during World War II. She discusses her experiences with the Red Cross, both during her training and during her service overseas. She discusses differences in white attitudes, in particular. She describes her work in pubilc relations and sales after the war, as well as her political career. She was elected to the Kentucky Assembly in 1967 and began serving in 1968. She discusses her attempts to pass legislation to give tax breaks to companies that would provide training to Kentucky residents, and her successful efforts to pass a low-cost housing bill.

King is President of Mr. Klean's Janitorial and Maintenance Company. King discusses his family history and the founding of Mr. Klean's, a black-owned company which employs the largest percentage of black workers in the state of Kentucky. He was also acquainted with Muhammad Ali during his youth.

Dr. Love was a U of L professor and administrator, and sister of civil rights leader Whitney Young, Jr. Dr. Love discusses her parents, Laura and Whitney Young, Sr., their lives and involvement with Lincoln Institute in Simpsonville, Kentucky. Dr. Love and her brother were born in Lincoln Ridge, while her father was a teacher at Lincoln Institute, and she discusses the education they received there, and the atmosphere of safety and support that was fostered at Lincoln Institute. She describes her father's tenure as principal. She describes her experiences at Kentucky State, and also discusses her brother's emergence as a leader there. She recounts his subsequent service in the Army during World War II, where he discovered his ability to negotiate; specifically, he realized his ability to negotiate better conditions for his fellow black soldiers. She relates his educational experiences following his return to the States, and his involvement in a Harvard-based think tank. She discusses his involvement with the Urban League, and his relationships with those who chose different approaches to furthering the equal rights of African Americans. She describes the role of the Black Panthers and the riots, particularly in Detroit, in drawing some supporters to the Urban League. She also gives her perspective on the University of Louisville, which she came to in 1966 as a GE scholar. Dr. Love was quickly identified as a skilled negotiator, and she became involved in working with students, including the students who eventually took over the office of the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences in 1969. She offers criticism of the University of Louisville at that time (and in the 1970s) for failing to recruit and support black students and faculty. She does commend President Miller for his support of programs for students needing skill-building work. She gives her assessment of area public schools, and the possible reasons for their shortcomings. Dr. Love also headed the Lincoln Institute at the end of its days, from 1964 to 1966, and she discusses that experience. She recounts its closing, its brief life as a school for gifted and talent students, and its rebirth as the Whitney M. Young Job Corps Center. She discusses briefly the origins and role of the Lincoln Foundation.

Leonard Lyles, Director of Equal Opportunity Affairs at Brown & Williamson, Louisville discusses his career and how professional football helped him achieve it. He views his objective as placing other blacks in careers. He mentions restrictions on development of the black community.

Maxwell, the manager of the Top Hat Tavern for nearly 30 years, discusses her personal history as well as her experiences as a manager of a nightclub on Broadway in Louisville.

Susan Minor is a 78-year-old black woman and a long-time resident of the Parkland area. She is 1919 graduate of Central High School and a 1921 graduate of the Louisville Normal School. She worked many years as a teacher in black schools in the Jefferson County system. She discusses her life, as well as her years in the Parkland area.

Mitchell discusses his personal history, including life, education, service in the U.S. Army in World War I, and job as cook and a butler for over 27 years with the Ballard family of Louisville.

Born to Tal and Laura Moorman in Daviess County, Kentucky, Frank Moorman, Sr., came to Louisville in 1926 to rejoin his former employer, Dr. White, at his new drugstore in the Mammoth Building. Moorman later opened a drugstore with Dr. J.C. McDonald on the corner of Sixth and Walnut. He later opened a service station at Eighth and Walnut; this station became Frank's Super Service. Moorman discusses his grandparents and parents in the Buckhorn community in Daviess County, the evolution of his business, his feelings on the civil rights movement and race relations.

Mr. Nall was first employed by Reynolds Aluminum in 1928 at Plant No. 1 in the Parkland area. He discusses his 49 years of employment with the company, the many years he worked in the Parkland area, and the changes he has seen.

The Neighbors discuss their personal experiences and their jobs as chauffeur and maid for Mrs. Robert Worth Bingham.

Margaret Ovitie, a long time resident of Parkland, 70-year-old black woman. She was a 1926 graduate of Central High School and discusses her family stories dating back to Jenny, original family member to have come from Africa. She also discusses her years in Parkland and changes in Parkland.

This interview took place at the Parkland Branch of the Louisville Free Public Library. Three black residents of the Parkland area of Louisville tell family stories. The residents were Dathon A. Jones, Oma H. Jones and the Reverend Stepney S. Ray.

A senior citizen's arts and crafts group at the Parkland Branch Library discuss their lives in the Depression years, the 1937 flood and their remembrances of the early Parkland area.

Dr. Parrish was the only black professor employed by the University of Louisville after integration. A professor Emeritus of Sociology at the University of Louisville, he discusses his academic journey and the history of Black education in Louisville, Kentucky. Born and raised in Louisville, Parrish attended Howard University and Columbia University before earning his doctorate from the University of Chicago. He spent most of his academic career in Louisville, with brief stints at Lincoln University in Missouri and the University of New Orleans. Parrish also discusses the merger of the Louisville Municipal College (LMC) and the University of Louisville, which he argues was not a token gesture but a significant step towards desegregation. He also touches on the Garvey movement and its limited impact on the Louisville community, and the importance of studying race and ethnic relations in the current global context.

Dr. Parrish discusses his father, Charles H. Parrish, Sr., who was a Baptist minister and president of Simmons University, a black Baptist college in Louisville. Parrish also discusses his own life and work, including his time teaching at Simmons, at Louisville Municipal College (University of Louisville's college for African Americans under segregation), and finally at the University of Louisville after the Municipal College closed and UofL integrated. Dr. Parrish was the only member of Municipal's faculty who was offered an appointment at UofL following LMC's closure, becoming UofL's first African American faculty member. He describes this experience as well as his ongoing research interests.

Dr. Parrish discusses his father, Charles H. Parrish, Sr., who was a Baptist minister and president of Simmons University, a black Baptist college in Louisville. Parrish also discusses his own life and work, including his time teaching at Simmons, at Louisville Municipal College (University of Louisville's college for African Americans under segregation), and finally at the University of Louisville after the Municipal College closed and UofL integrated. Dr. Parrish was the only member of Municipal's faculty who was offered an appointment at UofL following LMC's closure, becoming UofL's first African American faculty member. He describes this experience as well as his ongoing research interests.

Dr. Parrish discusses his father, Charles H. Parrish, Sr., who was a Baptist minister and president of Simmons University, a black Baptist college in Louisville. Parrish also discusses his own life and work, including his time teaching at Simmons, at Louisville Municipal College (University of Louisville's college for African Americans under segregation), and finally at the University of Louisville after the Municipal College closed and UofL integrated. Dr. Parrish was the only member of Municipal's faculty who was offered an appointment at UofL following LMC's closure, becoming UofL's first African American faculty member. He describes this experience as well as his ongoing research interests.

This interview deals with black experience in world events from 1915 through 1930.

Mr. Perry discusses his education, time in the Army during World War I, and his personal experiences as black principal in the Louisville school system. Included is a discussion about the quality of education received by blacks before and after desegregation, how black facilities compared with white facilities, and why few school employees were involved in Civil Rights movement in Louisville.

Mr. Pickett, a retired assistant Boy Scout executive and board member of Senior House, talks about his family, growing up on an integrated neighborhood in the early 20th century in Louisville, his work with the Boy Scouts of America and his work for the elderly citizens of Louisville. The final interview provides information on his parents’ families and the educational and professional achievements of several family members.

Mr. Porter is the chairman of the board of trustees of the University of Louisville. He discusses his family's business, A.D. Porter Funeral Home, his father's involvement in politics and his years on the Louisville Board of Education. His life and family history are also included in this interview.

Powers discusses her education at Louisville Central High School and the Louisville Municipal College; early involvement in politics with Wilson Wyatt, Sr.; United States Senate campaign; Edward T. Breathitt's gubernatorial campaign; Norbert Bloom's career in the Kentucky General Assembly; and her own successful race for the state senate in 1966. Powers also discusses her support of a state open housing bill and the Poor People's March on Washington, D.C., in 1968, which she attended as an observer for the Kentucky Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Powers discusses her education at Louisville Central High School and the Louisville Municipal College; early involvement in politics with Wilson Wyatt, Sr.; United States Senate campaign; Edward T. Breathitt's gubernatorial campaign; Norbert Bloom's career in the Kentucky General Assembly; and her own successful race for the state senate in 1966. Powers also discusses her support of a state open housing bill and the Poor People's March on Washington, D.C., in 1968, which she attended as an observer for the Kentucky Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference.

Price is the president of Mammoth Life Insurance Company in Louisville. He discusses his family history, founding of the company by his grandfather and the development of his insurance company. He also reminiscences about his years with the company.

Dr. Rabb discusses his early life and education in Mississippi. He speaks of his experiences as a student at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, comparing race relations in his hometown to those in Nashville. He also discusses student activism at Fisk while he was a student. He describes his medical education at Meharry Medical College, and his internship at Kansas City General Hospital Number 2, the segregated public hospital for blacks in Kansas City, Missouri. Dr. Rabb practiced in Shelbyville, Kentucky from 1930 to 1946, and he discusses his practice there, including his relationships with the white physicians in town. Rabb left Shelbyville for Louisville, and he discusses the difficulties that led him to make that move. He talks about his move to Louisville and the support (in the form of office space) he received from Dr. C. Milton Young, Jr. He goes on to discuss his work at Red Cross Hospital, and how he came to be the first African American admitted for post-graduate training at Louisville General Hospital. He describes other areas of integration, including the University of Louisville and its athletic programs. He talks about his leadership role in Louisville's Human Relations Commission, particularly in the area of integrating the police force. He describes his own encounters with racism, the changes he's seen over time, and his role in the sit-ins in Louisville in 1960. He also talks about the integration of public housing. He notes that his proudest achievement is his involvement with the NAACP; he was also a founder of the Kentucky Civil Liberties Union.

Mrs. Ray discusses her early life and upbringing in Tennessee as well as her life in Louisville. Mrs. Ray moved to Louisville in 1934 and attended Louisville Municipal College (LMC). She discusses her education both at LMC and at the University of Louisville. She describes many "inconsistencies" as she calls them -- situations where African Americans were not treated the same as whites. She also discusses the civil rights movement, which she says she was not a direct part of.

Ray and his family discuss Joseph Ray, Sr., who served as assistant to the head of the Housing and Home Finance Agency during the Eisenhower administration; their lives in Louisville; and changing racial attitudes in the city.

The Reverend Ray is a 87-year-old black man who is a long-time resident of the Parkland area. He discusses his life, his childhood in downtown Louisville, the growth of the downtown area, Fourth of July celebrations in the Chestnut-Walnut-Eleventh Street area as well as the changes and growth of the Parkland area.

Louise Reynolds was the first African American woman elected alderman in the city of Louisville. Ms. Reynolds discusses her work with the Republican Party, including her work as a precinct committeewoman, in the party's headquarters, and for Representative John Robsion. She worked for Robsion in the 1950s, and was elected to Louisville's Board of Alderman in 1961. Ms. Reynolds discusses the legislation passed during her time on the board, including the Public Accommodations Ordinance, the establishment of the Human Relations Commission, and an Equal Opportunity ordinance, and her involvement in trying to pass an open housing ordinance. She discusses the administrations of mayors William Cowger, and to a lesser extent, Kenneth Schmied. She also describes a visit to the White House at the invitation of President Lyndon Johnson. She also worked for the Small Business Administration, and she talks about the advice she gives small businesspeople who approach the SBA for loans, and notes several successful African American businesspeople in Louisville.

Sales is an African American poet who lived in Louisville at the time of her interview. She was interviewed about her views on the women's movement and how she sees its relation black women. She viewed job opportunity as greater for black women than black men and that this results in women being heads of families.

The Reverend Sanderson is a 52-year-old black man, a long-time resident of the Parkland area. He discusses his life, the desegregated Armed Forces during World War II, and his struggles to achieve training as a mechanic after the war. He also discusses the Parkland area and the changes he has seen in the area over the years. He became a minister in the mid-1960s of Centennial Baptist Church of Louisville.

Reverend Schroerlucke discusses his ministry at the West Broadway United Methodist Church from 1966 until 1977. This interview focuses upon his adaptation of a church program to meet the needs of a neighborhood changing from racially mixed to predominantly black. He also discusses his role as a white minister to a black church.

Mr. Shively focuses largely on his education in Louisville, at Louisville Central High School and the Louisville Municipal College, in the 1930s and 1940s. He discusses his extracurricular experiences as well as the more academic aspects of both of these institutions. He also describes his experiences during World War II, when he served in a segregated signal corps unit in Italy. Mr. Shively finished college on the G.I. Bill following the war, and he talks about the difficulty of finding a job once he completed his education, due to discrimination on the basis of race.

Black women in real estate.

Mrs. Smith, a former nursing home owner and administrator discusses her childhood in Russellville, Kentucky, moving to Louisville at age twelve to tend to an aunt, her early marriages and divorce, establishing a nursing home in her home and her efforts to establish a church.

Mr. Stanley is the editor of Louisville Defender, a local black newspaper. He discusses his personal history and that of the Defender, which was founded by his late father, Frank Stanley, Sr.

Vivian Stanley discusses her career as a social worker and her life with Frank Stanley, Sr., editor, manager, and publisher of the Louisville Defender. She describes events and programs that she and the newspaper were involved in, including Clothe-A-Child and the annual Exposition organized by the Louisville Defender. She also discusses Frank Stanley, Sr.'s personality and civic and political involvement, and the management of the paper after his death. Mr. Stanley had two sons, Frank Jr. and Kenneth, and she also provides some information on their lives.

Mr. Stewart, business manager for Local 576 of the Laborers' International Union of North America discusses segregation in education in Tennessee where he grew up, talks about his growing awareness of labor unions, how he came to Louisville and how he became the first black foreman at a construction company there. He reflects on the evolution of the construction industry and particularly describes the place of black laborers within the industry. He talks about women in construction, training opportunities for young people to enter the field and his work with Local 576 of the Laborers' International Union. The interview concludes with a discussion of health and pension benefits provided by Stewart’s union.

Summers discusses his seven or eight years of service on the Red Cross (Community) Hospital's board of directors. As president of the board during the closing months of the hospital's operation, he played an instrumental role in efforts to save the facility. Summer addresses the questions of what the hospital meant to the black community and the reasons for its failure.

Reverend Tachau discusses his work in race relations as a Juvenile Court judge during the 1950s in Louisville. During the 1960s, as an Episcopal priest, he took and active role in the open housing demonstrations.

Eric Tachau discusses his almost twenty years of service on the board of directors of Red Cross (Community) Hospital. He describes the work of the various administrators, the problems confronting the board members, and the reasons for the hospital's failure.

Mrs. Tolbert discusses her personal history, focuses on her school days as well as race relations and church experiences.

The former executive director of the Presbyterian Community Center discusses his relationship with the institution, first as a seminary student in 1949; working under the direction of Charles Allen who he followed as executive director of the center; chan

Mr. Valdez is the director of political education for the local chapter of the A. Philip Randolph Institute in Louisville. He discusses his life, education, and career in this interview as well as his views on black history in Louisville.

Henry Wallace was born to Augusta Graham French Wallace and Tom Wallace, a former editor of the Louisville Courier-Journal, in 1915. He attended the University of Louisville, but was graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1938 with an A.B. in history and political science. After college Wallace worked for the Lexington (Kentucky) Leader. He later worked for papers in Ohio and Puerto Rico. Wallace served in military intelligence early in World War II, but in 1943 he began a hitch in the merchant marine which lasted until the end of the war. In 1948 Wallace went to Cuba, where he worked for the Havana Daily Post and the Havana Herald, English language newspapers. While in Cuba Wallace also did freelance photographic work for Life magazine. He later worked for Time as a full-time reporter, covering Paris, Tangiers, and the Middle East. Wallace returned to Louisville in 1956 to manage his family's farm near Prospect. After the death of his parents, Wallace became active in civil rights, working for passage of public accommodations and open housing ordinances in Louisville.

Dr. Walls discusses practicing medicine in the black community in Louisville from 1918 until his retirement. He recounts his work with the Falls City Medical Society, Red Cross Hospital, and the integration of the Jefferson County Medical Society in 1953. (Note: Red Cross Hospital changed its name to "Community Hospital" in 1972.)

Most of the interview focuses on Murray Atkins Walls, although her husband, John Walls, is also an active participant. They were both involved in civil rights activities in Louisville and so share many experiences. Mrs. Walls discusses her childhood and youth in Indiana and compares her experiences in Louisville and Indianapolis. She describes her work in Kaufman's Department store's personnel department during World War II, and particularly focuses on Mr. Harry Schacter, the head of Kaufman-Strauss department store. She also gives an account of the integration of Girl Scouting in Louisville, which began in approximately 1957, following the Brown decision. The Walls discuss their efforts to integrate the Louisville Free Public Library, which had maintained separate branches for whites and African Americans. They discuss meeting with the library board of trustees and their interactions with the head of the library, Mr. Brigham, as well as the attitudes of Mayor Wilson Wyatt, who appointed the first African American to the library board. They also discuss the attitudes expressed in the Courier-Journal. They discuss black-owned newspapers and the barriers that African Americans faced in education and in housing. The Walls discuss the integration of dining areas and department stores, as well as residential areas. They discuss differences in attitudes between their generation, which they saw as working patiently toward improving their situation, and the generation of youth working for civil rights in the 1960s and 1970s. They discuss the dangers faced by African Americans in Mississippi in the 1930s and 1940s. The Walls discuss Dr. Walls' involvement in picketing with the NAACP, and the impact that she and Dr. Walls had on the lives of young people.

Mr. Walters was an executive director of the Urban League of Louisville. He discusses his early life and education; his twenty-year career in the Army; his experiences and views on integration; and his work with the Urban League.

Mrs. Watkins is a longtime resident of the Parkland area. Her life, family, education and remembrances of the Parkland area are discussed.

Mr. White discusses his family history as well as the history of the family business, White Printing Co. He also describes the black business district on Walnut Street in the 1950s. He gives his opinions on the problems and the future of black owned businesses.

Mr. White discusses his family history as well as the history of the family business, White Printing Co. He also describes the black business district on Walnut Street in the 1950s. He gives his opinions on the problems and the future of black owned businesses.

Mr. White is the founder of the White Printing Company and is the father of Larry F. White, Sr. He discusses his education, graphic art and how his dreams of being an architect were never fulfilled. Also discusses his family history and career and the black business district before urban renewal.

Woods, owner of a barber shop in the 1200 block of old Walnut Street from the 1940s until the area's destruction in the 1960s, discusses his personal history and experiences as a businessman in the Walnut Street area.

Mr. Wyatt is the past mayor of Louisville and the past lieutenant governor of Kentucky. He discusses his involvement in Louisville's rationing board during World War II, which was the only integrated rationing board in the United States. He discusses how the decision was reached to integrate and how this was worked out for the members of the board and the community.

C. Milton Young, Jr., M.D., discusses his childhood in Nashville, Tennessee; his parents C. Milton Young, Sr., and Annie Young; his education at Pearl High School, Fisk University, and Meharry Medical School; internships; early practice at Lane Clinic in Louisville; work as school physician at Louisville Municipal College and medical director at the Central Louisville Health Center; and work as assistant director of the city health department in Louisville.

A black physician discusses his association with Red Cross Hospital (later Community Hospital) which originated in 1899 to treat Louisville blacks. Young discusses his work as medical director at the hospital, the reasons for its closing, what the institution meant to the black community, the impact of integration and federal health programs on its future, and proposals to save the hospital.

Zipp discusses his work as real estate director with Urban Renewal and Community Development on the West Louisville Downtown Renewal Project. He recounts the history of the project, its outcome and effects, and elaborates on the role of urban renewal. He also defines urban renewal and its goals and problems surrounding the Walnut Street project.