"A Great Community for All": Racial Justice, Racial Equity, and Social Progress in Morrilton, AR & Conway County, AR

An Oral History Project Conducted by John Robert Lewis Fellow Baxter Yarbrough

Project Description

This oral history project tells the story of Linda Everette-Williams. Linda Everette-Williams’s family has lived in Conway County, Arkansas for multiple generations. She is the descendant of activists and community organizers who shaped their communities for the better, pushing for progress and goodness in the public arena. Her family members had lived in a rural black community in the county prior to moving into Morrilton city limits. Additionally, she holds close relationships with people living in other rural black and multiracial townships and communities in Conway County. Everette-Williams lived in Morrilton throughout her childhood and integrated the school district after having attended the region’s segregated elementary school in the 1960’s. Between semesters at one of Arkansas’s HBCUs, the University of Arkansas Pine Bluff, Everette-Williams spent summers in Conway County. She and her husband moved to Illinois in the late 1980’s, though she continued to visit Conway County while living outside of the state. She and her family moved back to Morrilton in 2010 and quickly became involved in various civic and social organizations. Everette-Williams serves as Chairperson of the Morrilton Human Relations Council and Chairperson of the Conway County Democratic Party, and she is a two-time candidate for Morrilton City Council.

Oral history interview with Linda Everette-Williams

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An Interview with Patricia L. Torres

An Oral History Project Conducted by John Robert Lewis Scholar Bianca Torres Murray

Project Description

I chose to interview Patricia Torres, my mother, for my oral history project. Oftentimes, we only see our parents in the role of mother or father; however, I think it's important to also see them as the leaders, changemakers, and trailblazers they are. I sought to learn more about the social, political, and economic factors that shaped my mother's values, career, and the way she raised me. Throughout the interview, I focused on topics revolving around race, the influence of our Mexican culture, familial values, and education. I am grateful to have had the opportunity to learn more about the resilience of my mother throughout higher education and while navigating Los Angeles politics as a Latina. 

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An Interview with Judy Hines Bailey

An Oral History Project Conducted by John Robert Lewis Leader Kaylan Bailey

Project Description

Judy Hines-Bailey has many labels: wife, twin, daughter, Delta soror and Domestic Diva but I know her more so as Mom. Picking from what may be your average everyday person, who is going above and beyond to help shape her community and continuously showcasing her leadership, that's my mom. My mom explains her drive and motivation that were instilled in her at a young age through her parents. I hope you enjoy my oral presentation on my mom, a leader in the community making a lasting impact in society.

Oral History Interview with Judy Hines Bailey - 06/18/2023

Part 1: Introduction of Judy Hines-Bailey

Part 2: Community Work

Part 3: Leadership

Part 4: National Underground Railroad Freedom Center

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“A Child of Selma”: Yesterday - Today - Tomorrow

An Oral History Project Conducted by John Robert Lewis Leader Terrel Respass

Project Description

The concept for my oral project came from the 2023 Congressional Pilgrimage to Selma where we participated in the festivities and attended a panel discussion of Women Leaders (Community) who participated in the Children’s March on Bloody Sunday - March 7, 1965. Mrs. Lynda Blackmon Lowery takes us on a journey through Selma in her words, sharing the initial works of Dr. Bernard Lafayette, Jr., and the non-violence principals. She also shares her personal commitment at the age of 7 years old to make a difference in the world due to her experiences, and how a Sunday Service by Dr. Martin Luther King would change her life, forever. She addresses the post-traumatic stress and weight of the history that loomed over her for decades, and how we should educate the future generations to never allow the horrors of the past to shape our tomorrow.

Oral History Interview with Lynda Blackmon Lowery - xx/xx/2023 (date)

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Storytelling Across Identities: The Story of Us

Waiting for Maria’s approval before publishing!

An Oral History Project Conducted by John Robert Lewis Fellow Jesus Murillo

Project Description

Maria Varela was a photographer for SNCC during the Civil Rights Movement and would go on to work documenting Indio-Hispano land rights movements in including the 1968 Poor People’s Campaign, the first Chicano Youth Conference, and the Chicano Movement. During the 1960s Civil Rights Movement, Varela was assigned to the South to help counter the inaccurate narrative related to the inaccurate portrayals of African Americans in the movement. Varela used photography to highlight the everyday lives of Black people taking leadership roles to change institutional and cultural norms in the South. In doing so, Varela helped cultivate a more accurate story illustrating the private lives of Black leaders to usher in the larger story of the movement.

My purpose for doing this oral history project is to highlight the use of storytelling as a tool to bridge private stories into the public sphere to combat stereotypes, share virtues learned, and to promote social change in the public sphere.

Oral History Interview with Maria Varela - 06/06/2023

Research Paper

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African American Museum of Southern Arizona: Executive Director - Beverly Elliott

An Oral History Project Conducted by John Robert Lewis Leader Kadar Hamilton

Project Description

This oral history tells the story of Ms. Beverly Elliott, the founder of Arizona’s first African American museum. She was inspired by her grandson Jody to open the museum to share the rich history of Tucson and the Midwest. Beverly Elliott takes pride in uncovering hidden and almost forgotten truths in our history. She also has a history in nonviolence, she participated in the Martin Luther King, Jr. protest in Arizona in 1983. Beverly, peacefully but actively participated in the protesting that eventually resulted in Arizona passing the petition and now observing Martin Luther King, Jr. Day in January in the state of Arizona. She also had an active role in the recent victory and passing of the Crown act, preventing companies from discriminating against people due to their hair style. She leveraged the governing board from the African American Museum of Southern Arizona as well as several other networks, such as Links and STEM programs she helped establish, to gain support. The concept of my oral history project came to me after hosting a group from the Black Excellence Employee Resource Group at Raytheon Technologies at the African American Museum of Southern Arizona.

Oral History Interview with Beverly Elliot - xx/xx/2023 (date)

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Heroism is About the Hidden Figures: The Story of Milton Collins Jr.

An Oral History Project Conducted by John Robert Lewis Fellow Kimberly Collins

Project Description

Developed for the John Robert Lewis Scholars and Fellows Program, this documentary highlights the life and impact of Milton Collins Jr. a Mount Vernon, New York native and gymnastics luminary. Showcasing a once prominent gymnastics star, Collins' story unveils his impact on Mount Vernon and some of the racial and socio-political barriers that limited his dream to perform gymnastics at an Olympic level. Although Collins did not achieve all that he set out to do, his influence and impact through his journey changed the lives of many. Produced and edited by Kimberly Collins.

Documentary Film

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