Oral history interview with Lyle Quasim by Baboucarr Lowe conducted 05/07/2007. Lyle Quasim discusses civil rights issues in America and shares his history of social activism. Areas of focus include his time in the Air Force and his work with Shelter Half, an underground anti-war organization run by GIs. He also touches on his work with the Safe Streets Campaign and other local civic programs.
Oral history interviews with Louise R. Turner and Bernice C. Canada by Preston T. Jones conducted 02/09/1994. Sisters and lifelong Tacoma residents Louise Turner and Bernice Canada share their family history and reflect on how the city's racial attitudes have changed during their lifetimes. They describe their experiences as African Americans growing up in turn-of-the-century Tacoma and comment on the rise of segregation during and after the World Wars. Turner and Canada also touch on their work as Eucharistic ministers. The interview concludes with their thoughts on the importance of family values.
Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Freddie Mae Barnett conducted by dindria barrow on January 28, 2023. In this interview, Mrs. Barnett shares her life story with us. She tells us of her upbringing in Athens, Georgia, and military travels with her husband. Mrs. Barnett was active in the military community and in Tacoma. She is a past president of the Tacoma Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, the Washington State Association of Colored Women’s Clubs and the Regional Association of Colored Women’s Clubs which are all affiliated with the National Association of Colored Women’s Clubs.
On February 24, 2023, dindria barrow conducted a group oral history interview with four members/founders of the Black Women's Caucus of Washington State, Tacoma Chapter. Those interviewed and photographed include (from left to right): Dr. Thelma Jackson, Caucus founder; Susan Alexander, previous president; Chana Lawson, current president; and Wilma J. Muse, longtime member. In this interview, the origin story of the Caucus is described, and the purpose of the group is explained.
Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Alfonso “Al” Brown conducted by dindria barrow on November 3, 2022. In this interview, Al shares his philosophies on life as well as the key tenets that have helped him survive failure, pain, suffering and homelessness to ultimately find that hope is what is needed to transform your own life as well as others’. Al talks about his work in the community and how he plans on making a difference bringing collegiate theory into real-world practice. Al has been featured in news stories by City University and KBTC about his life experience. Al shares his triumph in getting degrees despite the gatekeepers and about how education is the pinnacle change agent.
Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Shondea Chapman conducted by dindria barrow on August 16, 2022. In this interview, Shondea describes the places she calls home and her childhood memories between Los Angeles, California, Yakima, Washington and Muskogee, Oklahoma. Shondea has had multiple homes over the course of her life and she is glad that she has had them. Her story is an example of how we are connected to our geographies and our communities. Shondea continues to ask the question, “Who am I going to be?” which propels her into the future.
Oral history interview with previous Tacoma resident Larry Duncan conducted by dindria barrow on November 29, 2022. In this interview, Larry shares his experience in one of Tacoma’s East Side neighborhoods, Salishan. Larry illustrates how his racial identity has been a mystery and how he has tried to piece it together like a complex puzzle. An intriguing person that appeared in his life twice showed up first as a person who made kites. Could this be a person who is somehow related to his birth parents? As he continues to learn about himself, Larry's dream is to be the best dad and husband possible for his family.
Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Regyna Frazier conducted by dindria barrow on September 13, 2022. In this interview, Regyna states that she is proud to be from Tacoma. To paraphrase: Regyna knows Tacoma is home because of how it feels. There is diversity here. You don’t see much diversity [elsewhere] it just becomes one [race], you need a mix in your diet, not just one flavor. Home is a place that mixes, that has more than just one flavor. Regyna wants to be around a mix of people so that she knows that race is not a reason for a crime. If a crime happens, it can happen to any person of any race, not just to my own. Home is also food and Regyna dreams about opening a restaurant to share the flavors of Tacoma.
Oral history interview of Elton Gatewood conducted by dindria barrow on January 21, 2023, as part of the Archiving North End Communities event located at the Wheelock library branch.
Interview with Regina Glenn, Dr. John Vassall, Henry Yates, and Winfield Ezell, Jr, filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."
