Abstract Layne Garrett discusses growing up in a typical household in Tennessee and spending his childhood, visiting family on long road trips to Texas. While interest in music was always present in Layne’s life, it was in high school that exposure to outsider literature and open tuning in guitar brought him to be a part of music projects and pursue creative expression. He reflects on four years of living in a new city in Phoenix after college, where lack of social engagements got him to experiment...

Abstract

Ms. Sarvis discusses growing up in D.C., mostly in Carver/Langston in Northeast, her early sense of herself as different and coming into her gender and sexuality, her older sister also being trans, going to clubs and performing, the impact of the AIDS epidemic, her time in prison, her involvement with transgender and HIV/AIDS organizations including Transgender Health Empowerment, and the changes in the city.

Abstract Educator, administrator, editor and musician, Dr. Marion E. Hines reflects on her life of 80 years, including her work in the DC Public Schools and two universities; her education in the public schools, then at Howard University and Georgetown University; her approach to teaching languages; her love of travel and music. She speaks in depth about the Wesleyan Choir of Asbury United Methodist Church, what it means to her and to the church; Asbury’s participation in various historic events such...

Abstract Moretha Johnson, a lifelong Washingtonian, grew up in a family of singers including her mother. As a child she became involved at Asbury United Methodist Church and went on to attend Sunday school and Methodist Youth Fellowship, sing in different choirs and help lead the Brighter Day and Crocheting for Christ ministries to assist bereaved people and to make crocheted items for babies and unhoused people. She recalled attending the March on Washington and being helped home by a co-worker when...

Abstract Ms. Nettie Hailes reflects on her life, the influences of Dr. Dorothy I. Height, President Emerita of National Council of Negro Women, and the legacy of Mary McLeod Bethune, Founder of National Council of Negro Women. She acknowledges the strong support that she received during her term in office and eagerly supports the leadership of youth and those who would follow. She is optimistic about the future and the collective strength of the section and organization. She appeals for youth to step...

Abstract

Ms. Earls discusses growing up in D.C., mostly in Shaw, her early sense of herself as different and coming into her gender and sexuality, the importance of dancing and performance to her from an early age, her struggle with addiction and time in prison, go-go and hand dancing, being in the National Museum of African American History, remembering everyone who has passed and her thankfulness for living to such an age.

Abstract

Ms. Steward discusses growing up in D.C., mostly in Shaw, her early sense of herself as different and coming into her gender and sexuality, going to clubs and working, the impact of the AIDS epidemic, her involvement with transgender and HIV/AIDS organizations including Transgender Health Empowerment, and the changes in the city.

Abstract Please note this interview was recorded over Zoom. Sandra Perrin reflects on her experiences organizing and doing political work as part of the union that represented Metro workers. Her story begins with her childhood in Washington, D.C. Born to two working class parents, she developed a love of reading fueled by the bookmobile that would regularly visit her neighborhood. When her father died in a car accident, her mother became the wage earner. She speaks about her time at Howard...

Scope and Contents

Asbury United Methodist Church Oral History Project features interviews from members of Asbury United Methodist Church in Washington, D.C. These episodes are drawn from oral histories of members of one of Washington’s historic Black churches. Asbury has been at the corner of 11th and K Streets Northwest since its founding in 1836. These church members share their personal experiences with Black history, national history and the history of the Washington, D.C., area.

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.