Pauli Murray Center: Greater West End Oral History Project


Greater West End Elders
(Photo Credit: Dare Kumolu-Johnson, Kumolu Studios, LLC)

The Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice conducted eleven audio and video recorded interviews with elders in their 80s and 90s who live in or grew up on the West End. Many of these elders’ stories had never been recorded before and the resulting archive is an invaluable asset to the neighborhood, the Durham Community, scholars, activists, and artists. A luncheon event was held to honor the elder interviewees to which their families were invited. 85 people attended the event and each honoree received a commemorative medallion and certificate but most importantly, they were recognized by their communities and families as bearers of memories and histories of the greater West End. These archived materials will continue to serve as evidence of the value in pride of place and in understanding and valuing the shared history of the Greater West End.

West End Elder, Ms. Hazeline Umstead and Mayme Webb-Bledsoe
(Photo Credit: Dare Kumolu-Johnson, Kumolu Studios, LLC)
Luncheon Event Honoring Elder Interviewees
(Photo Credit: Dare Kumolu-Johnson, Kumolu Studios, LLC)

This project was funded during FY 2021.