Back of Photo:
News
Southeast Asians on the Radio --- These three people are counselors at the Indochinese Cultural and Service Center in Tacoma. They each take a turn hosting the Sunday morning radio program on KPTS -- each in the native language. From left: Phet Vongvanith, Phan Pham, and Sopheap Keo.
Martin - Story
Bruce Kellman - Photo

Interview with Nick the Barber, owner of Tacoma's Finest Clippers for over fifteen years. Paul and Nick discuss the future of his shop, local happenings in the Black community of the South Sound region, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

A conversation with those dealing with homelessness and tent cities. Tracey Collins discusses the conditions in tent cities and the outreach work he does with Northwest Urban Ministry. Members of VOCAL (Voices of Community Activists and Leaders) also discuss their history of homelessness and advocacy work for homeless people. Videos filmed throughout September and October 2016.

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.

Slideshow video of pictures from Paul Jackson and Jasmine Brown's wedding. "Jumping the broom" is a tradition within the Black community to signify a couple's commitment to each other, and dates back to the enslavement of Black people in the United States who were barred from legally recognized weddings.

Interview with Jim Walton filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Kyle Jolibois conducted by dindria barrow on August 17, 2022. In this interview, Kyle tells us about his birth and how he is connected to the grittiness of Tacoma. To paraphrase him, "Tacomans are fighters and survivalists no matter who is in control of the city." Kyle’s story is about resilience and speaking truth to power. He leads his life with a direct and realistic view about our environment and our social/political issues. Kyle is open about his views, his sobriety goals, and his physical disability. His strength is his voice and his desire to stand up for what is right.

Interview with Jonathan Johnson filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Macedonia. Interviewed by dindria barrow on May 11, 2022.

Interview with Korbett Mosesly filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Back of Photo:
Yon H. Hecker fed lunch to her sister's children in the tent outside the plant of Path Enterprises during the continued labor problems Tuesday. Both Mrs. Hecker and her sister work at the plant. The boys are 8-year-old Joseph Campbell (in center) and 5-year-old Jim Campbell, (on right).
Kellman Photo

Back of Photo:
Miss Nan Yung Chung sings Top 40 hits in English and Korean at the Torch Light, a Korean nightclub on South Tacoma Way.
Story by Dorian Smith
Photo by Bill Hunter

Back of Photo:
The Chang family watches some of the Olympics in their Puyallup home. They are from Korea, now American residents (citizens).
L to R: Chase, Carol, Oak (mother) and Soo Nam.
Story by Voelpel
Photo by Peter Haley

Back of Photo:
Peter Kim drinks his Sake while talking with James Jee (L) and his sister Joanne Jee (R). The three are from Vancouver B.C. and think the Torch Light is one of the best Korean nightclubs in the northwest.
Story by Dorian Smith
Photo by Bill Hunter

Video recording of a presentation to the Black Collective by poet and author Noni Ervin for the 2022 Kwanzaa Celebration. Ervin is the author of "Verbatim: Living, Loving, Surviving" and a member of the Seattle-based African American Writers' Alliance. She is the Founder and Creator of Kinara Park Kids and the Founder of the Kwanzaa Awards.[1]

Back of Photo:
Gabriel Landry (Puyallup Indian)

Back of Photo:
Scores of men and a couple of women line up, with bags and packs, to gain admission to the Last Chance Shelter on Commerce St. The line often starts forming at 4 o'clock, with the door opening at 6:30.
Photo by Peter Haley

Back of Photo:
Bill Garst of Tacoma reads on his bunk in the Last Chance Shelter. He lost his job and is looking for another one. He doesn't get unemployment (reason unknown) and because he couldn't make house payments foreclosure forced him out onto the street.
Photo by Peter Haley

Back of Photo:
Last Chance Shelter--Downtown Tacoma, Mike Snider, center, and Ed Quarrles, on right, talk with an unidentified man at the overnight shelter Monday night. Many of the other guests were already asleep.
Bruce Kellman - Photo

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Anita Latch conducted by dindria barrow on August 30, 2022. In this interview, Anita outlines the places she calls home using artwork that her daughter created of locations Anita has lived in. Her grandparents had a farm near Traverse City, Torch Lake, Michigan. She watched trains pass by in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan. She lived in a ground floor apartment in Nerburgh, New York after living in Wallkill near Woodstock. Anita’s dad drove the family on Interstate 80 in a Super 88 to McChord Air Force Base and Spanaway, Washington. She remembers listening to a transistor radio in the back of the car during the trip. Anita left home at 15 years old and hitchhiked to Grants Pass, Oregon. She went to college in Redlands, California and then learned silversmithing in Jerome, Arizona. Anita also spent time in Tahiti when her daughter was young. She moved around often between her homes. Anita is a traveler, a journalist, a teacher, a political advocate, and an artist with many life stories. She has been a Precinct Committee Officer and has served on the Tacoma Civil Service Board. “Democracy is not a spectator sport!” Anita declares towards the end of her interview, “so, get involved in voting for each election.” Her openness and honesty are palpable in this oral history and there is some strong language and adult content.

Photo description from Vanna Sing:

When taken: 1980s and 2000s
Where taken: Eastside, Salishan
What memory is contained in these photos? Lister Elementary was a generational school. My first grade teacher was my daughter's first grade teacher.
Vanna Sing's childhood in Salishan and Eastside; Growing up in Salishan, spiritual healing. 43 year old survivor from the country of Cambodia. Roots are from SE Asia, Cambodia, Thai, and Laos. Our family escaped the Khmer Rouge in 1978 In July 1979, we entered United States. Our sponsors were from Mineral Wells, Texas. Trying to adapt to the American culture was a struggle. Through the word of mouth, Tacoma, Washington was the place to be. 15 families migrated to Tacoma, WA. We first arrived in Hilltop, Tacoma, around St. Joseph hospital area. We spent a year here. Tacoma Housing Authority supported refugees by providing rental assistance. Department of Social and Healthy Services gave us TANF, food stamp, and medical.