Category: The Civil Rights Movement

Elliott recalls Dr. Martin Luther King’s visit to Louisville. Rev. Dr. Charles Elliott Jr. was born in Wheeler, Alabama in

Elliott recalls being in the car with Dr. King when white folks were protesting open housing in Louisville. They proceeded

Elliott marvels over the reality of a black U.S. President. He recalls Dr. King saying that one day the hands

Davis describes her early life in Owensboro, Kentucky and how she was the first of three students to integrate the

Merlene Davis carried the stress of school in her neck. Her days at the desegregated school were stressful. Merlene Davis

Davis recalls her family being turned away from the new drive-in movie theater in Owensboro because they were black. Merlene

Davis tells of the backlash of hate mail to her after a column she wrote about Chandler using the word

Elliott came to Louisville in 1952 and encountered many of the same problems that existed in Alabama. Rev. Dr. Charles

Davis says that being a black student at UK in the 1960s was not very pleasant. She describes what it

Elliott reflects on other Civil Rights leaders of Louisville. Rev. Dr. Charles Elliott Jr. was born in Wheeler, Alabama in

Davis says oppression is not for sissies. One has to be strong. Merlene Davis graduated from the University of Kentucky

Davis talks about fear. It’s fear that’s killing us. Merlene Davis graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Journalism

McMurry recalls childhood in Paducah, Kentucky and the profound effect of the assinations of Dr. King and John F. Kennedy

Davis recalls the story of having a door closed in her face by a white man when she was a

Davis tells of racist comments about black UK students during a lie-in on campus in 2014. She says black and

Davis credits her fifth grade teacher Olive Bopp with guiding her into writing. Merlene Davis graduated from the University of

Watts recalls her work on women’s issues at the federal level. Beverly Watts is the Executive Director of the Tennessee

Watts recalls how lighter skin was judged to be more desireable within the black community itself. Beverly Watts is the

Watts explains how her experience at SIU Carbondale was a culture shock. She became an activist advocate for racial justice

Watts recalls starting her work at the Kentucky Human Rights Commission and notes significant cases during her tenure. Beverly Watts

McMurry recalls the Florida case of the 6 year old being arrested. William F. McMurry is a professional liability attorney

McMurry recalls the Burris case in Livingston County, Kentucky about the 5-6 year old boy who was sent to jail

Watts describes her work with the Civil Rights office in Chicago. She provided training on Civil Rights Policy in the

Watts is moved to teach on the Northwest Side of as part of the desegregation of the teachers Chicago Public

Watts reflects on implementation of Brown vs. Board of Education in Tennessee. It occurred in the city of Nashville in

Anderson talks about origins of the women’s movement, the NAACP and the clarity of these issues in earlier times. Now,

Anderson recalls the community organizing scene in Chicago in the 1960s. Alan Anderson is the author of Confronting the Color

Anderson reflects on the success (or lack thereof) of Albany, GA and of Dr. King’s northern strategy, specifically in Chicago.

Anderson received a telegram from the Ponca City chapter of the NCAA while in the Albany Georgia jail. Alan Anderson

Anderson discusses Chicago’s De Facto Discrimination in the 1960s and 1970s. Alan Anderson is the author of Confronting the Color

Anderson cites the study from the 1960s that reported that blacks paid a color tax on their housing. Alan Anderson

Anderson was in charge of Dr. King’s visit to Chicago. King spoke in 14 neighborhoods and led a march downtown.

Anderson clarifies how unpopular Dr. King was at the time of his death. Alan Anderson is the author of Confronting

Anderson says Dr. King was more galvanizing in retrospect than he was at the time. Alan Anderson is the author

Anderson tries to organize the community around his parish, but it backfires. The citizens wanted to keep black people out

Anderson speaks of how black teachers lost their jobs when the schools integrated and how he remembers colored and white

Anderson says that people ask him how he joined the Civil Rights movement. He says he didn’t. He was just

Anderson explains what race riots in the early 20th century looked like. Alan Anderson is the author of Confronting the

Anderson recalls the national closed meeting for his fraternity that acknowledged that they did not discriminate based on race publicly,

Anderson reflects on the personal sacrifice of being in the movement. How it may have affected his job prospects. Alan

Anderson analyzes the Chicago Civil Rights Movement, its principals and its groups. Alan Anderson is the author of Confronting the

Cunningham describes becoming active in the youth council at age 14. Raoul Cunningham was born in 1943 and began working

Delahanty talks about people who were involved in race relations being identifiied as communists. It was the era of McCarthyism

Delahanty discusses how her marriage thrived on shared values regarding race relations. How Judge Delahanty (her husband) was reprimanded for

Cunningham talks about the involvement and support of the church during the movement. Raoul Cunningham was born in 1943 and

Cunningham talks about how the Sit-in was a tactic that was used to demonstrate the need for public accommodation. Raoul

Cunningham recalls meeting Stokely Carmichael upon his arrival at Howard University and they began organizing immediately. Raoul Cunningham was born

Cunningham talks about protesting the Brown Theatre in 1959 because blacks couldn’t see “Porgy and Bess”. He also discusses pressing

Cunningham talks about being a Howard University student and organizing the March months in advance. He describes traveling back to

Cunningham reflects on how in 1968, A.D. King (Martin Luther King, Jr’s brother) approached Rauol after MLK’s funeral to work

Cunningham discusses the pledge for non-violence that was taken no matter what happened at the protests and demonstrations. Raoul Cunningham

Cunningham emphasizes the importance of voter registration, voter education, and providing rides to the polls. Other problems are economic development

Cunningham names his NAACP predecessors, C.H. Parrish, Mr. Warley (The case of Buchanan vs Warley started in Louisville and went

Cunningham talks of his officers and executive committee members: Raymond Burse, William Summers, Senator Georgia Powers, Darryl Owens, Caples, Elizabeth,

Cunningham says that the mission of the NAACP is more than just desegregation, it is also for excellence in education.

Cunningham talks about women in leadership positions in the civil rights movement. Raoul Cunningham was born in 1943 and began

Cunningham talks about the lobbying process at the Federal NAACP. NAACP publishes a Civil Rights report card on the legislators

Cunningham says that Kentucky is one of three or four states that bars felons from voting. This policy has had

Peeples talks about how thrilling it was to see Obama elected but how there is still backwards movement in civil

Georgia Powers comments on working with Jesse Jackson and how he felt about Dr. King. Georgia Davis Powers was born

Georgia Powers discusses the hospitality of Marlene Samuels when she wasn’t able to get a hotel room in Frankfort. Georgia

Georgia Powers talks about a civil rights demonstration in Wyandotte Park where rocks and cement were being thrown. Georgia Davis

Georgia Powers speaks about the various marches and protests she was involved in. Georgia Davis Powers was born in Springfield,

Georgia Powers sings “We Shall Overcome”. Georgia Davis Powers was born in Springfield, Kentucky in 1933. She is a politician

Georgia Powers talks about joining the Southern Christian Leaders Conference and organizing Operation Selma. Georgia Davis Powers was born in

Georgia Powers discusses organizing the March on Frankfort in 1964 with Martin Luther King Jr. and Jackie Robinson. Georgia Davis

John Johnson recalls a funny story about marching in the rain. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and is

John Johnson talks about the importance of instilling respect in young people. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and

John Johnson discusses the importance of this oral history project and making these stories available to future generations. John Johnson

John Johnson talks about Myrlie Evers and her work in Los Angeles. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and

John Johnson talks about Daisy Lampkin, a NAACP regional director. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and is the

John Johnson takes a job with the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights after 22 years with the NAACP. John Johnson

John Johnson discusses past NAACP Director Kweisi Mfume and his determination to get young people involved in the cause. John

John Johnson remembers Benjamin Hooks, past director of NAACP. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and is the Executive

John Johnson talks about working in human rights and making the world a better place. John Johnson was born in

John Johnson discusses the increased rate of African Americans that are incarcerated and voter reinfranchisement. John Johnson was born in

John Johnson talks about the importance of strong black role models. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and is

John Johnson encounters housing discrimination in NYC. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and is the Executive Director of

John Johnson talks about Laken Cosby and his son Dr. Kevin Cosby working to bring integration to Jefferson County neighborhoods

John Johnson talks about NAACP campaigns in Florida and South Carolina. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and is

John Johnson recalls Clarence Mitchell’s involvement in the civil rights movement. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and is

John Johnson talks about the importance of understanding history and being aware of the struggles that people endured. John Johnson

John Johnson speaks about the assassination of Emmett Till and its effect on the civil rights movement. John Johnson was

John Johnson talks about Althea Simmons, the Director of Training for the NAACP. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky

John Johnson talks about the Little Rock Nine and NAACP Youth Advisor Daisy Bates. John Johnson was born in Franklin,

John Johnson talks about a NAACP demonstration in Washington DC and the rules that are involved. John Johnson was born

John Johnson talks about being harrassed at work when Bobby Kennedy was assassinated. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky

John Johnson discusses Kentucky’s higher education integration efforts. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and is the Executive Director

John Johnson recalls the day Martin Luther King Jr was assassinated and the affect it had on the civil rights

John Johnson talks about Jefferson County being one of the most integrated school systems in the nation. John Johnson was

John Johnson talks about traveling to NYC with a marketing research firm (Pinkett Brown and Black) and marketing strategies for

John Johnson discusses using old NAACP propaganda in modern ways. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and is the

John Johnson talks about installing a W.E.B Dubois plaque commemorating Harper’s Ferry. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and

John Johnson talks about the night that Medgar Evers was assassinated. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and is

John Johnson talks about Rosa Parks and being involved in organizing her funeral in Montgomery Alabama. John Johnson was born

John Johnson talks about meeting Sheriff Lawrence Rainey and NAACP training materials. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and

John Johnson discusses his work as Kentucky NAACP president. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and is the Executive

John Johnson talks about being president of the local NAACP and getting the swimming pools integrated in his hometown of

John Johnson talks about the importance of the vote. John Johnson was born in Franklin, Kentucky and is the Executive

John Johnson discusses being asked to become president of the local NAACP by Reverend Grant Coleman. John Johnson was born