Sam Reed, a mortician and the caretaker of Atlanta's historic Oakland Cemetery, talks about how his interest in the funeral business started at a young age.

Judge Olly Neal tells his daughter, Karama, how he discovered African American author Frank Yerby while cutting class and hiding out in the school library.

Sharon Holley, a retired librarian, tells her husband, Kenneth, about preparing for her career at an early age. Holley operated Harambee Books and Crafts, a community black bookstore, for 29 years in Buffalo, NY.

Mildred Bond Roxborough, who has worked for the NAACP for more than 50 years, tells her colleague Maxim Thorne about an incident from her early days on the road.

Mamie Todd (R) tells her daughter, Ann Todd Jealous (L), and grandson, Benjamin Todd Jealous, about demanding supplies from the white school superintendent while teaching at an all-black school in the 1930s. Benjamin Todd Jealous is President and CEO of the NAACP.

John Hope Franklin, the late scholar of African American history, tells his son, John, about being a Boy Scout during the 1920s.

Reverend James Seawood remembers how African-American families were forced out of Sheridan, Arkansas, when the schools attempted to integrate.

Dr. William Lynn Weaver talks with his daughter, Kimberly.

Jerry Johnson interviews his mother, Carrie Conley, about raising six children as a single mother.

Joe Buford tells his literacy tutor, Michelle Miller, about what it was like not knowing how to read.

Elmore Nickelberry and Taylor Rogers remember why they went on strike as Memphis sanitation workers in 1968.

Retired Memphis sanitation worker Taylor Rogers and his wife, Bessie, remember Martin Luther King Jr.'s final speech.

Reverend George Turks, Jr. remembers witnessing the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers' Strike as a teenager. Click here to see a photo from the strike.

Ella Owens (L) tells her daughter, Lynn Reed, about participating in a march during the 1968 Memphis Sanitation Workers' Strike.

Herb Kneeland (L) tells his son Martavius Jones about being a disc jockey at WDIA in Memphis on April 4, 1968.

Kathy Dean Evans remembers the night Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.

10-year-old Rahsheed McKenstry interviews his mother, Rhonetta.

Mary Ellen Noone remembers a story from her great-grandmother.

Celedonia "Cal" Jones (L) tells his friend Robert Harris about moving to a new block in Harlem during the Depression.

Darryl Downes remembers discovering his talent while serving time in Sing Sing Prison.