Diane Alexander and Yvette Alexander interview, 2021-11-27

Item

Identifier: dcpl_dcohc035_04.wav

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

From the Collection:

D.C. Oral History Collaborative (DCOHC) is a citywide initiative to train community members in oral history skills, fund new and ongoing oral history projects, connect volunteers with oral history projects, and publicize existing oral history collections. DCOHC is a project of DC Public Library, HumanitiesDC, and the Historical Society of Washington, D.C. This collection contains oral history interviews, transcripts, and indexes produced by DCOHC grantees.

Dates

Creation: 2021-11-27

Creator

Language of Materials

English

Biographical / Historical

Diane Alexander and her husband moved into Penn Branch neighborhood in the mid-1960s. The Alexander's were active participants in Penn Branch Civic Association for over 40 years and raised their daughter and two sons in the neighborhood. Diane Alexander held various positions throughout her career in early childhood education and her husband was as a junior high school teacher in D.C. public schools and worked in the D.C. government before he retired. Her daughter Yvette Alexander attended private and public schools in the D.C. metropolitan area and graduated from Howard University with a degree in Business Administration. She pursued a career in politics and successfully ran for Ward 7 City Council from January 2007 to January 2017. Diane and Yvette Alexander are still active members of the Penn Branch Community Association.

Extent

From the Collection: 1.13 Terabytes

Additional Description

Abstract

Diane Alexander and her daughter Yvette Alexander reflect on their childhood, family life, careers, and experiences as long-time residents of Penn Branch. Diane Alexander shares her experience searching for a home with her husband and becoming a first-time home buyer in Penn Branch. Once they settled into the neighborhood, Diane Alexander described it as a friendly and quiet to place to live with easy access to grocery stores, restaurants, and a movie theater. Although Diane and Yvette Alexander discussed having good relationships with both Black and White families who lived on their street, however they witnessed the demographics of the neighbor change dramatically as many White families moved out of the community shortly after then moved into their home.