Scope and Contents Mr. Alvin Harris discusses his life and experiences moving from Raleigh, North Carolina to Washington, DC. Mr. Harris discusses his early life in Raleigh, his family’s move to Southeast Washington, DC, and his upbringing and education in the city. He also discusses his life in Washington, his work as a carpenter and career in construction, and his transition to work for the federal government. Additionally, Mr. Harris talks about Marion Berry and “Chocolate City,” and the crack epidemic in...

Scope and Contents In this oral history interview, Mr. Bernard Hayes discusses his life and experiences moving from Atlanta, Georgia, to New York City, and ultimately to Washington, D.C. Mr. Hayes discusses his early life in the South, his family's move to New York in 1960, and their transition into city life in the North. Mr. Hayes also discusses how the North provided him and his siblings more opportunities and the influence of his parents and other mentors on his life. Finally, Mr. Hayes discusses his move...

Abstract In this oral history interview, Bernice Pitts, a long time D.C. resident, discusses her life and experiences moving from Laurinburg, North Carolina to Washington, DC. Ms. Pitts discusses her upbringing in North Carolina and the farm work she did with her family before talking about her move to D.C. and the transition to city life. Ms. Pitts talks about finding work in the city, working for the government, and retiring after a workplace injury. She also reflects on raising her children and...

Abstract

In this interview, Kyle-Coles discusses her move to Washington D.C.; the harassment and threat of violence directed at her family as one of the first Black households in their neighborhood; her experiences in the D.C. public schools before and after legal desegregation; working in D.C.; and other topics related to her family’s experiences in D.C. and in Alabama.

Abstract In this oral history interview, Claudia Lewis, discusses her life and experiences moving from Ridge Spring, South Carolina, to Washington, D.C. She reflects on her childhood in the South, her family’s move to Washington in 1946, and her educational experiences in Washington. She also discusses her experiences with work, church, and family in DC, as well as her move to Prince George’s County Maryland in 1992. This oral history interview was conducted by a DC high school student as part of a...

Scope and Contents In this oral history interview, Mr. Herbert Freeman, owner of Freeman's House of Styles in Brightwood Park, discusses his life and experiences moving from Engelhard, North Carolina, to Washington, DC. Mr. Freeman discusses his early life in Engelhard, his move to Washington, DC, in 1962, his transition to life in the city, and his long and successful career as a barber in Washington. He also discusses violence against Black people in both the past and present, segregation in North Carolina,...

Scope and Contents In this oral history interview, Jettie Brown discusses her life and experiences moving from Blair, Virginia, to Chester, Pennsylvania, to Long Island, New York, and ultimately to Washington, D.C. Mrs. Brown talks about her upbringing and family life on the farm in Blair, segregation and race relations in Blair, and her family's migration to Chester, Pennsylvania, when she was twenty years old. Mrs. Brown also discusses moving to Long Island with her husband and their move to the Washington,...

Scope and Contents

In this oral history interview, Lena Bradley, a long time D.C. resident, discusses her life and experiences moving from Kenly, North Carolina, to Washington, D.C. She reflects on her upbringing and education in the South as well as her life in Washington and career as a beautician.

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In this oral history interview, Ms. Mabel Mitchell, a long time DC resident, discusses her life and experiences moving from Raleigh, North Carolina, to Washington, DC. Ms. Mitchell discusses her early life in Raleigh, her move to Washington, DC, in the early 1950s, her transition to living and working in DC, and her long career in the government. Ms. Mitchell also talks about segregation and racial discrimination in Washington, as well as gentrification in the city in the 21st century.

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This is the sixth and final session of an oral history interview with Cosby Hunt, a career educator, native Washingtonian, and creator of Real World History. In this interview Mr. Hunt discusses the Real World History program and the Real World History Collection at the DC Public Library. He also reflects on what he is most proud of about the class and how the course, in some ways, is connected to his family history.