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.

Back of Photo States: Nakashima's 3 children 1/27

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 Tacoma resident Chace Hunter conducted by dindria barrow on August 25, 2022. In this interview, Chace talks about his family immigrating to Hilltop, Tacoma in 1993, then moving to South Tacoma in 1998, graduating from Western Washington University as well as University of Washington-Tacoma and then buying a home in Hilltop as an adult. Chace’s family fled Cambodia to escape the Khmer Rouge and were refugees in Thailand before coming to Tacoma. He is bilingual and has been married to his husband for six years. Chace has a passion for poetry, psychology, non-profits and nursing. Chace fell in love with his HIV Prevention work and is now the executive director of the AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma (AHAT Homecare). AHAT Homecare provides 24-hour home care, affordable housing/case management, and rental vouchers to the local HIV+ community. To paraphrase Chace: “I love giving back to the community, especially during a time of houselessness, and helping to provide homes to people in need.”

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 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 Wayne Williams conducted by dindria barrow on November 22, 2022. In this interview, Wayne shares his family’s history and his personal journey starting in his family home, especially with his grandmother, carried through in his education, and then extended throughout his career. Wayne points out that you must have a purpose in life and that you must attend to it every day.

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.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Colombia. Interviewed by dindria barrow on April 27, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Mexico. Interviewed by dindria barrow on April 27, 2022.

Tacoma Community House Spring 2022 English Language student from Colombia. Interviewed by dindria barrow on April 27, 2022.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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."

Image title: Fastening the Harpoon Point. The North American Indian, v.11, pg. 30.

Indians of North America--Nootka--1910-1920; Men--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Hamasilahl - Qagyuhl. The North American Indian, v. 10, p.228.

Indians of North America--Kwakiutl--1910-1920; Clothing and dress--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Coathair blanket - Cowichan. The North American Indian, v. 9, p. 72.

Indians of North America--Salishan--1910-1920; Weaving--Indians of North America;

ca. 1910. Chinook Female Profile - "Skokomish Female - type" Photo by Edward S. Curtis. Scanned from Asahel Curtis lantern slide. Original photograph appears in The North American Indian, v.8 between pp. 86-87. The permanent villages of the Chinook tribes, constructed of imposing cedar board houses, once extended from the banks of the Columbia River and the rushing waters of the Dalles all the way to the sea. They occupied a land of abundant food and lived mostly on salmon. The trading post at Astoria was established in 1811 and Fort Vancouver in 1825. The fur traders brought the twin scourges of disease and alcohol. Whole villages of Chinook were decimated.

Indians of North America--Chinook--1910-1920; Women--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;

Image title: Stlĭná of Massett - Haida. The North American Indian, v. 11, p. 148.

Indians of North America--Haida--1910-1920; Men--Indians of North America; Indians of North America--Portraits;