Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Ukraine. Interviewed by dindria barrow on May 4, 2022.

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Charlie Best conducted by dindria barrow on June 30, 2023. In this interview, Charlie shares his interpretation of “home” and how it has defined itself over his lifetime. To paraphrase: Home changes according to the different iterations of “self” and knowing who you are. Charlie is very conscious of how we use masks in our public and work lives. Thus, home is a place where you can be yourself and is a place that you choose, not just a place that is given to you. As the Education Manager of The Rainbow Center, Charlie’s role allows him to share his story of identity. After dealing with many personal struggles, living in the present is now a consistent daily goal for Charlie.

Oral history interview with Tacoma residents Alicia Rodriguez and Maria Presiado conducted by dindria barrow on March 11, 2023. In this interview, Alicia and Maria, members of the Lantinx Unidos of the South Sound (LUSS) Promotoras, share their lives, purposes, and dreams in Spanish. They explain how they came to the United States, how they became LUSS Promotoras in the work that they do, and what they hope for their family’s and community’s futures.

Reverse side of photograph contains following text:
"listening to speakers -
Leua Horne
Air-line Stewardess
Note maj. and minority crowds"

Visible signs in photo read the following:
"NO
U.S. DOUGH
TO HELP
JIM CROW
GROW"

"We demand
an end to bias
now"

"We march together
Catholic
Jews
Protestant
For dignity
and brotherhood
of all men under god
NOW!"

Oral history interview with Dr. Thelma Jackson conducted by dindria barrow on May 11, 2023. In this interview, Thelma shares about her childhood, her education, her move to Washington and her work in many different academic areas and social arenas. Thelma discusses how we need to be present about the past and future. To paraphrase, staying present will help us realize what work needs to be done in our community and society. Thelma shares her new book and how oral histories were a key component of telling the Black community’s story in Lacey and Thurston County.

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Isabella Rodriguez conducted by dindria barrow on June 6, 2023. In this interview, Isabella shares who she is, where she comes from, and the communities she calls home.

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Collin Booker conducted by dindria barrow on June 9, 2023. In this interview, Collin shares his love of Tacoma and Evergreen State College which he chose because it reminded him of his grandmother. Collin believes in making positive change in the world and will be teaching our youth as a certificated educator. Collin recounts his bus rides to Federal Way with childhood friends, attending SAMI (Science and Math Institute) High School, and deciding his college major and graduate school focus. Collin built his teaching skills at the YMCA and as a substitute. Collin also shares his dreams and his capstone project.

Oral history interview with Tacoma residents Judith Rosas and Brisa Ramos Rosas conducted by dindria barrow on March 18, 2023. In this interview, Judith and Brisa, members of the Lantinx Unidos of the South Sound (LUSS) Promotoras, share their lives, purposes, and dreams in Spanish and English. They explain how they came to the United States, how they became LUSS Promotoras in the work that they do, and what they hope for their family’s and community’s futures.

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Lorenzo Cervantes conducted by dindria barrow on August 23, 2022. In this interview, Lorenzo talks about his passion for HIV Prevention as well as education overall. Lorenzo describes how education was the primary way that his life changed and that it was a gift given to him by his immigrant parents. He knew at a young age that he loved differently and was gay. He also knew about injustice at a young age because he was ignored for not speaking English or looking white. Lorenzo leaves us with this advice: “A child needs advocates when they go to school… Education is key for everything…a way of getting out of poverty…we need to support our youth to be able to have the schooling that they deserve to have. [and] About HIV right now, is that we don’t hear about it as much as we should; it’s still an epidemic…talk about it with your friends, talk about it with your family, and even with your mom.” Lorenzo is the Prevention Director of the Pierce County AIDS Foundation (PCAF).

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Candria Slamin conducted by dindria barrow on January 7, 2023. In this interview, Candria shares their story about coming to know themself over time. Even though Candria admits they have a long way to go in realizing where they will be in the future, they explain how identifying who they are is crucial to moving forward. “You can only be who you are, because of where you’re from.” In other words, you must know where you come from to figure out where you are going and who you truly are. Candria shares their work with the Rainbow Center and their work life thus far during the global pandemic. Candria also discusses how the past and the future can have dark parts along with bright parts—that life has an ebb and flow. “Not everyone’s race is at the same pace. I’m not running their race, I’m running mine.”

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Cody Bakken conducted by dindria barrow on March 18, 2023. In this interview, Cody shares his opinions on life and work. Cody believes it is important to be passionate about something and that apathy is his worst enemy. His many passions have led him to many possible futures. He says, “We don’t grow until we leave our boundaries.” He wants to help fix the world because it is we who broke it; and he hopes to earn a position in public administration because local government is where change can be made.