From back of image: "Only a minute example of the buses which arrived- also note negro population."

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Isadore Wallace conducted by dindria barrow on February 17, 2022. In this interview, Wallace discusses his personal life lessons, his resistance to being oppressed or defined by trauma, and how he relates to his family located across many different states. Isadore asks us to think about becoming a better person and moving through life's changes, "Why would you go back to the dark when you have been to the light? Even if it has all of the things you need, you can't see them!"

Oral history interview with Tacoma resident Jamika Scott conducted by dindria barrow on August 10, 2022. In this interview, Jamika shares the purpose of the Tacoma Action Collective, what it was like to run for Mayor, and life as an artist. Jamika shows vulnerability and strength in recounting her experience with an assault and the city's response to her case. Jamika inspires us to live in the now, embrace creativity and work on healing our wounds.

Oral history interview of Juanita Olivas, an unhoused neighbor living in Tacoma, conducted by dindria barrow on April 9, 2022. Juanita shares how she became homeless, how her faith has carried her through life, and why she does volunteer work. Juanita is 60 years young and plans on completing high school so that she can get a job as a medical insurance billing and coder. Juanita dreams of being “somebody that can help out with the community, always. I would love to have a really big apartment building that I could just take in all the homeless…just pour my heart out to ‘em, because people out there, you never know their story until you actually talk to them and I’ve met a lot of people that is so talented out there and so educated, but their story just breaks my heart.”

Oral history interview with former Puyallup Tribal Council Member, Ramona Bennett. Interviewed by dindria barrow on April 2, 2022, in the Digital Media Lab of the Tacoma Public Library. Ramona discusses her views on Indian and Indigenous rights, the people she encountered on her advocacy journey and how she continues living during difficult times. Ramona reminds us that “things shift slowly”, to “love whoever is left” after someone passes away, to put “just one foot after the other” and that her people live on because of “all the ways we pray are so hard”.

Cynthia Tacye Tucker at age 21 years old, in West Chester, Pennsylvania, August 1971.

Cynthia Tucker's mother (6/17/31-2/23/2010).

Cynthia Tucker's grandmother, born April 25, 1917. A July 19, 1936 article from the West Chester, PA Daily Local News newspaper stated, "Mrs. Tacie Steele was last night elected permanent chairman of the Citizens' Civic and Welfare Club, an auxiliary unit to the recently organized Citizen's Political Club of Chester County. Mrs. Steele is s committee woman." Cynthia was so proud to find this clipping amongst family artifacts given to her by her mother. "I always wondered why I was so eager and interested in community work. Now I know." Tacie Steel's mother was Mary Etta Draper Cooper Washington Dorin (9/5/1874-11/22/1971) and lived in Philadelphia, PA.

Flyer for the Trees for Justice event, featuring the Legacy of Nettie J. Asberry and the garden at her house. Sponsors of the event are listed as well as an agenda for the program.

Collected in "Ascensions: Stories of Transcendence Offered by Students of The Evergreen State College Tacoma Campus", Cynthia Tacye Tucker writes about her life.

Statement prepared by Cynthia Tucker and shared at the Trees for Justice event on September 24, 2022, at Tacoma Community House to explain the reason for the organization's lasting name and history behind keeping it.

Oral history interview with current president of the Tacoma Association of Colored Women’s Clubs, Cynthia Tucker. Interviewed by dindria barrow on April 21, 2022 in the Digital Media Lab of the Tacoma Public Library. Cynthia shares her personal story of growing up with strong women who helped her overcome shyness, her life overseas, her family stories and her hopes for the future. Cynthia states, “I am still a Black woman no matter where I go,” so it is important to be proud of who you are. Cynthia believes that you should enjoy what you do for work and build confidence in your life by “seeking yourself first”.

Oral history interview conducted by dindria barrow at the Tacoma Public Library Main Branch's Digital Media Lab on June 1, 2022. Reverend Robert T. Penton was born on December 11, 1947 in Bogalusa, Louisiana. He was born in a segregated town with a large Ku Klux Klan chapter in a shotgun (one-room) house. Bob felt he had no voice in this town and grew disenchanted with his life there. He believed he could make a difference by joining the VISTA program. He was sent to South Central Los Angeles in 1967 to be a community organizer, two years after the riots in Watts. Bob joined the Black Panther Party and became a Minister of Information. He found his voice in Los Angeles. His second year in the VISTA program brought him to Tacoma, WA and the largest public housing complex west of the Mississippi river, Salishan. Bob worked in the anti-poverty program and helped to organize a community center, a family food coop, and youth programs. In the 80’s, Reverend Bob ran campaigns against fear and gang violence by fasting. One of his guiding quotes is: “Poverty of purpose is worse than poverty of purse.” When addressing trauma and divisive politics “it takes something bigger than all of us to break down those walls to bring that common purpose.” Overall, he reminds us that “people need to know how much you care, not how much you know.” Listen to Rev. Bob’s personal purpose and his insights into how to navigate life.

Back of photo:
July 1961

2023 report created by Momentum Professional Strategy Partners. This report was part of the Black Collective Economic Development Committee 2023 initiatives and was funded by a grant with the Economic Development Board for Tacoma-Pierce County. It explores and documents dominant reasons why local Black owned businesses fail and compiles recommendations to inform city and county entities.

More information about event in Tacoma Daily Ledger 1/12/1906 p.8