Series I: Audio-Visual Items, 1978-1980

From an undated press release about the collection:

“An Oral History of African American Rochesterians” collection at Phillis Wheatley Library was designed to make available to the public contributions of black individuals to the life and history of the greater Rochester area. Dr, James Wright, branch manager of Phillis Wheatley Library at the time, felt that there was not enough Black History being gathered and the oral history of blacks was being lost. Mary Mckee was the coordinator of what was deemed “The Black Oral History Project” and Elizabeth Hampton sent out questionnaires. They were hired through Comprehensive Employment and Training Act (CETA) funds.

Interviews of individuals were conducted 1978-1981 and resulted in 113 tapes and 144 folders. Data for the project was collected in two ways, through written material and by taping individuals. The criteria were that the people had to have been original Rochesterians or else longtime residents. They also had to hold a responsible position in the community. Uniform questions were provided, but the tapes are truly narratives. There are multiple levels of diversity presented by the contributors. The interviewees cover a broad spectrum of occupations. Notable Rochesterians include Dr. David Anderson, Evelyn Brandon, David Gantt, William Johnson, Willie Lightfoot, Dr. Charles Lunsford and many more.

The Phillis Wheatley Public Library Oral History Collection consists of 113 audio tapes, approximately 70 hours of which have been digitized and are available on Rochester Voices.