Herbert J. Kneeland
Herb Kneeland (L) tells his son Martavius Jones about being a disc jockey at WDIA in Memphis on April 4, 1968.
Kathy Dean Evans
Kathy Dean Evans remembers the night Martin Luther King Jr. was assassinated.
Rahsheed and Rhonetta McKenstry
Rahsheed McKenstry, 10, interviews his mother, Rhonetta, asking questions about her childhood, his father, and what type man she believes he will one day become.
Originally aired April 25, 2008, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Mary Ellen Noone
Mary Ellen Noone’s great-grandmother, Pinky Powell, grew up on a plantation in Lowndes County, Alabama, in the early 1900’s.
In a chilling story told to her years earlier by her Mama Pinky, Mary recounts the severe consequences her great-grandmother endured simply for wearing nail polish into a local general store.
Originally aired March 21, 2008, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Celedonia “Cal” Jones and Robert Harris
Celedonia “Cal” Jones (left) shares memories with his friend Robert Harris of what it was like growing up on 143rd Street between Lennox and 7th Ave.—at the time one of the toughest blocks in New York City.
Originally aired June 13, 2008, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Darryl Downes
Darryl Downes remembers discovering his talent while serving time in Sing Sing Correctional Facility.
Originally aired March 11, 2008 on NPR’s News & Notes.
Wydenia Perry and Essie Gregory
Wydenia Perry and Essie Gregory are old friends and traveling companions. Here, they remember some of their adventures around the world. Wydenia begins their conversation.
The two friends just hit their goal of visiting all seven continents, they return from Antarctica the day of the original broadcast.
Originally aired February 26, 2008 on NPR’s News & Notes.
Cherie Johnson and James Ransom
Cousins Cherie Johnson and James Ransom recall their formidable Sunday school teacher, Miss Lizzie Devine, the only woman who scared them more than their own grandmother.
Watch an animated version of their conversation.
Originally aired March 24, 2006, on NPR’s Morning Edition. A shortened version was rebroadcast on February 16, 2018, on the same program.
George Hill
George Hill recounts the 12 years he spent homeless and living on the streets until he got himself to a hospital psychiatric unit and off the streets for good.
Originally aired February 22, 2008, on NPR’s Morning Edition.
Joe and Trudy Hunter
Joe recalls meeting Trudy, a Raelette, while working at a concert in Detroit. He fell for her instantly, but it wasn’t until several years later, when Joe became Ray Charles’s road manager, that he got to make his move. They eventually married in 1994.
The couple now lives in Memphis, Tenn. Joe Hunter became a minister in 2003 and serves as a school mentor. Trudy Hunter teaches vocal music at Stax Music Academy. The two are currently raising their 10-year-old nephew, Andrew.
Originally aired on February 12, 2008, on NPR’s News & Notes.