Noelle Barber
Interview date: 02/06/2025
Gabrielle Forbes
Interview date: 02/03/2025
Christine Hart shared memories of growing up in the Moncrief neighborhood, detailing local businesses like a penny candy store and a motel. She recalled attending Moncrief School, which started in Mount Bethel Church before integration. Christine and others discussed the community’s history, including the flooding issues and the cultural changes over the years. They reminisced about childhood activities, such as playing in the cemetery and participating in 4-H. The conversation also touched on the importance of the church in the community and the historical significance of local cemeteries, which are believed to contain many African American veterans’ graves.
Interview date: 12/03/2024
Thelma Straight shared her upbringing in Biloxi, Mississippi, where her family relied on the land and water for sustenance. She described her childhood as happy and resourceful, with her father fishing and her mother gardening. Thelma recounted the trauma of her brother’s racial murder at age 17 as well as the trauma of her family’s experience during Hurricane Katrina. She emphasized nature’s role in her healing, particularly the ocean, which she views as both beautiful and powerful. Thelma also discussed her connection to trees, her Catholic upbringing, and her family’s resilience and resourcefulness.
Interview date: 08/20/2024
Viviloria Frazier, a longtime resident of Jacksonville, Florida, shared her experiences of moving to the Ribault area in 1970, facing racial resistance, and the eventual integration of the neighborhood. She recounted her involvement in the civil rights movement, including participating in protests and demonstrations. Frazier also discussed her family’s life in the area, her husband’s career in education and music, and her own work as a pharmacist. She highlighted the changes in community dynamics, the impact of technology on youth, and her ongoing commitment to community service and teaching her children and grandchildren the importance of giving back.
Interview date: 07/31/2024
Yvonne Laidler Cason
Interview date: 07/23/2024