EPACA Oral History Collection

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EPACA Oral History Collection

Oral history interviews conducted by volunteers of the East Palo Alto Community Archive to capture local history, hardship, accomplishments and traditions.

Oral history interviews conducted by volunteers of the East Palo Alto Community Archive to capture local history, hardship, accomplishments and traditions.

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Oral History interviews with people involved in or living in East Palo Alto. Interviews were conducted by East Palo Alto Community Archive volunteers and team members in an effort to preserve local history and culture that is at risk of being forgotten as elders pass and community buildings and spaces are redeveloped. These interviews offer a glimpse into the vibrant personalities that fill EPA and the spirit of the community.

Christopher Gordon Ellis Interview

Christopher Gordon Ellis Interview

Interview of Christopher Gordon Ellis by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration to EPA in 1977 via Detroit, the military and San Francisco; EPA community life...

Isaiah Phillips Interview

Isaiah Phillips Interview

Interview of Isaiah Phillips by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving to EPA when young; local businesses; grammar school experiences at James Flood Elementary...

Kathleen Lynne Mercer Interview

Kathleen Lynne Mercer Interview

Interview of Kathleen Lynne Mercer by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration with her husband, David Mercer, a Stanford grad student, from Toronto, Canada to...

Larry Graves, Jr. Interview

Larry Graves, Jr. Interview

Interview of Larry Graves by Meda Okelo. Topics include: Migration to East Palo Alto around 1972 after Army, working in San Francisco, and moving to Menlo...

Randall Brothers Interview

Randall Brothers Interview

Interview of the five Randall brothers (Walter T. Randall Jr, Andre M. Randall, Stephen E. Randall, Lawrence G. Randall, Derek A. Randall) by Meda Okelo....

Eugene "Gene" Tate Interview

Eugene "Gene" Tate Interview

Interview of Eugene “Gene” Tate by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada. Topics include: moved to EPA from Kinlock Missouri in February 1957 with two brothers...

Hugo Alar Bravo Interview

Hugo Alar Bravo Interview

Interview of Hugo Alar Bravo by Meda Okelo. Topics include: arriving in EPA from the Philippines in 1962; how he got his name; working at local flower...

Vicki Denise Smothers Interview

Vicki Denise Smothers Interview

Interview of Vicki Denise Smothers by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving to EPA from San Francisco in 1955; parents Clyde and Doris and seven siblings; RCSD...

Zakiya Carr Johnson Interview

Zakiya Carr Johnson Interview

Interview of Zakiya Carr Johnson, the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the U.S. Department of State, by Sharifa Wilson. She was in town to speak at...

Luis Vizcardo Interview

Luis Vizcardo Interview

Bi-lingual interview of Luis Vizcardo by Meda Okelo. Topics include: born in Lima, Peru; moving to EPA in 1999; attending Canada College to learn English;...

Lerisa Sherina Puckett Interview

Lerisa Sherina Puckett Interview

Interview of Lerisa Sherina Puckett by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving in with grandparents on Fordham around 1977 when she was three years old;...

Jane Perry Interview

Jane Perry Interview

Interview of Jane L. Perry by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration from Texas to EPA in 1957 with stops in between; her schooling; notable teachers; youth...

Rufus Puckett, Jr. Interview

Rufus Puckett, Jr. Interview

Interview of Rufus Puckett, Jr. by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration from San Francisco to Fordham Street in EPA in 1967; EPA in the 60s; RCSD schooling...

Iliana Nicholas Interview

Iliana Nicholas Interview

Interview of Iliana Nicholas by Meda Okelo. Topics include: family migrated from Mexico; born in SF and moved to EPA in early 90s following an aunt; lived in...

Delores Erving Bradford Farrell Interview

Delores Erving Bradford Farrell Interview

Interview of Delores Erving Bradford Farrell by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: migration from Malvern...

Angah Miessi Interview

Angah Miessi Interview

Interview of Angah Miessi by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migrating from the Ivory Coast in Africa in 1980 at 23 for grad school to EPA in 1983; EPA culture...

Dianne Otterby Interview

Dianne Otterby Interview

Interview of Dianne Otterby by Meda Okelo. Topics include: family background; migration from Rhode Island to Raleigh, North Carolina to the Bay Area; moved...

Gloria Cormier Interview

Gloria Cormier Interview

Interview of Gloria Cormier by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: migration from Los Angeles to Carlton...

Fran Cooper Frierson Interview

Fran Cooper Frierson Interview

Interview of Fran Cooper Frierson by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: her family moving to EPA; schooling...

Ella M. Wiggins Beecher Interview

Ella M. Wiggins Beecher Interview

Interview of Ella Wiggins Beecher by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: moving from Merced to EPA in the...

Deidra Wright Interview

Deidra Wright Interview

Interview of Deidra Wright by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: born in SF; followed her sister who moved to...

David L. Cheney Interview

David L. Cheney Interview

Interview of David (Dave) Cheney by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: migration from Mississippi to Belle...

Janet Thomas Interview

Janet Thomas Interview

Interview of Janet Thomas by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: her migration as a child from Texas in 1946...

Shirley Mitchell Neal Interview

Shirley Mitchell Neal Interview

Interview of Shirley Mitchell Neal by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High School. Her family moved from Los Angeles to Alberni Street...

Joyce M. Myles Interview

Joyce M. Myles Interview

Interview of Joyce Myles by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: the 60th anniversary of the Ravenswood High...

Willie McGee Interview

Willie McGee Interview

Interview of Willie McGee by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada about Ravenswood High School. He migrated to EPA from Hattiesburg, Mississippi in 1958....

Dr. Cecil Reeves Interview

Dr. Cecil Reeves Interview

Interview of Dr. Cecil Reeves by Sharifa Wilson in Atlanta, Georgia. Topics include: his family background and the cultural experiences growing up in Atlanta...

William Byron Webster Interview

William Byron Webster Interview

Interview of William Byron Webster by Duane Bay and Meda Okelo. Topics include: going to Stanford, migration to EPA after teaching in several universities;...

Dr. Mama Nobantu Ankoanda Interview

Dr. Mama Nobantu Ankoanda Interview

Interview of Dr. Mama Nobantu Ankoanda by Sharifa Wilson in Atlanta, Georgia. Topics include: arrival in EPA in 1971; starting her own school out of...

Emily L. Hamamoto Interview

Emily L. Hamamoto Interview

Interview of Emily Hamamoto by Meda Okelo. Topics include: arrival in Palo Alto at age five; raised in Palo Alto; became first Asian-American teacher in RCSD...

Larry Wade & Donald Smothers Interview

Larry Wade & Donald Smothers Interview

Interview of Larry Wade & Donald Smothers by Jesse Norfleet about Ravenswood High School. Topics include:Wade's immigation fro SF to EPA in 1948 and...

William "Will Roc" Grifffin

William "Will Roc" Grifffin

Interview of William "Will Roc" Griffin by Kalamu Chache. Topics include: arriving in EPA in 1962, growing up in the Gardens neighborhood, schooling in EPA,...

Martha Goodwill-Murray Hanks Interview

Martha Goodwill-Murray Hanks Interview

Interview of Martha Goodwill-Murray Hanks by Jesse Norfleet about the Nairobi schools. Topics include: working at Nairobi Day School, Muhammad Ali visit to...

Bains Family Legacy Interview

Bains Family Legacy Interview

Interview of five children of Pastor/Superintendent W.L. Bains and their spouses by Meda Okelo about the Bains Family Legacy. Interviewed: William Dante...

Kalamu Chaché Interview

Kalamu Chaché Interview

Interview of Kalamu Chaché by Jesse Norfleet about Nairobi College. Topics include: migrating to EPA in 1966 from NYC; the importance of religious education;...

Isaac Stevenson, Jr Interview

Isaac Stevenson, Jr Interview

Interview of Isaac Stevenson, Jr by Sharifa Wilson. Topics include: moving to EPA when he was five years old, community changes, attending EPA Rec Center,...

Mama Dee Uhila Interview

Mama Dee Uhila Interview

Interview of Mama Dee Uhila by Sisilia Afungia. Topics include: migration to EPA from San Mateo in the 1970s, migration of Pacific Islanders in the 1970s and...

Dr. Omowale Satterwhite Interview

Dr. Omowale Satterwhite Interview

Interview of Omowale Satterwhite by Jesse Norfleet about the Nairobi movement. Topics include: his migration to EPA, attending Stanford, involvement with...

Tenants Rights in 1983

Tenants Rights in 1983

Interview of Ruben Abrica, Lon Otterby, Carlos Romero and David Skidmore by Dianne Otterby about Tenants Rights in EPA in 1983. Topics include: how they each...

Melvin & Helen Harvey Harris Interview

Melvin & Helen Harvey Harris Interview

Interview of Melvin Harris and Helen Harvey Harris about the Nairobi Legacy. Topics include: Melvin coming to EPA in 1954, his activism in the community,...

Nozipo & Vulindlela Wobogo Interview

Nozipo & Vulindlela Wobogo Interview

Interview of Nozipo & Vulindlela Wobogo by Jesse Norfleet. Topics include: why they came to EPA in 1968, working at Drew Health Center, Vulindela's political...

Rod Norris Interview

Rod Norris Interview

Interview of Rod Norris by Sharifa Wilson. Topics include: joining EPA Police Department in 1989; crime in EPA in 1990-1992; homicide capital; assistance...

Cora Holmes Interview

Cora Holmes Interview

Interview of Cora Holmes by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving from San Francisco to Grace Court in EPA in 1971 with her husband and children, difference...

Stan Otani Interview

Stan Otani Interview

Interview of Stan Otani by Dianne Otterby. Topics include family arriving in East Palo Alto after being interned during World War II, family buying property...

Henry "Hank" Organ Interview

Henry "Hank" Organ Interview

Interview of Henry "Hank" Organ by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving to East Palo Alto, living at Light Tree Apartments, early thoughts of incorporation,...

Dorothy Romes Interview

Dorothy Romes Interview

Interview of Dorothy Romes by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration to EPA in the mid-60s, the Child Development Center, EPA in the 70s, memories of the...

Bomani Siwatu Interview

Bomani Siwatu Interview

Interview of Bomani Siwatu by Meda Okelo. Topics include: Migration to EPA in 1981 after college, election to the Ravenswood City School District Board,...

Donald Smothers Interview

Donald Smothers Interview

Interview of Donald Smothers by Jesse Norfleet about Nairobi College. Topics include: how Nairobi College started; its concepts, early programs,...

Lakiba Pittman Interview

Lakiba Pittman Interview

Interview of Lakiba Pittman by Jesse Norfleet about Nairobi College. Topics include: working at Nairobi Day School and Nairobi College, singer-songwriter for...

Saundra Webster & Chester Prince Interview

Saundra Webster & Chester Prince Interview

Interview of Saundra Webster and Chester Prince by Jesse Norfleet about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: attending Ravenswood High School together,...

Gene Tate Interview

Gene Tate Interview

Interview of Gene Tate by Jesse Norfleet about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: being part of the first freshman class, what makes Ravenswood High...

Gwen Smith Interview

Gwen Smith Interview

Interview of Gwen Smith by Jesse Norfleet about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: migration to Belle Haven, what makes Ravenswood High School special,...

Court Skinner Interview

Court Skinner Interview

Interview of Loren "Court" Skinner by Meda Okelo. Topics include: how he came to EPA in 1988; property values then, perception of EPA in the 1980s, his...

Warren Hayman Interview

Warren Hayman Interview

Interview of Warren Hayman by Sharifa Wilson. Topics include: life before coming to the Peninsula in 1966; career at Ravenswood City School District (RCSD)...

Martha Goodwill Murray Hanks Interview

Martha Goodwill Murray Hanks Interview

Interview of Martha Hanks by Dianne Otterby. Topics include: the family migration to East Palo Alto; her schooling; living in the house that her father had...

Delores Farrell Interview

Delores Farrell Interview

Interview of Delores Farrell by Jesse Norfleet about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: transferring from Menlo-Altherton High School; differences...

Warren Hayman Interview

Warren Hayman Interview

Interview of Warren Hayman by Jesse Norfleet about Nairobi College and Ravenswood City School District (RCSD). Topics include: his career with RCSD; the...

Juanita Croft Interview

Juanita Croft Interview

Interview of Juanita Croft by Jesse Norfleet about Nairobi College. Topics include: her schooling before attending Nairobi College in 1969; her mentor Mary...

Rosemary Steele Interview

Rosemary Steele Interview

Interview of Rosemary Steele by Ruben Avelar. Topics include: coming to EPA in 1970; first impressions of EPA; student, then intern, then employee at OICW...

Anthony Johnson Interview

Anthony Johnson Interview

Interview of Anthony Johnson by Sharifa Wilson. Topics include: arrival in EPA in 1991, coaching for EPA T-Ball Pitching Machine for decades, the importance...

Verna Winston Interview

Verna Winston Interview

Interview of Verna Winston by Dianne Otterby. Topics discussed include: coming to EPA in 1954, gardening, Japanese residents, housing in the Gardens...

Matias & Maria Varela Interview

Matias & Maria Varela Interview

Interview of Matias & Maria Elena Varela by Ruben Avelar. Topics include EPA crime reputation in the 1950s and over the years; move to EPA; incorporation;...

Ricki Stevenson Interview

Ricki Stevenson Interview

Interview of Ricki Stevenson by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration to East Palo Alto; Native American and African American; her parents; her schooling and...

Ida Chan Interview

Ida Chan Interview

Interview of Ida Chan by Dianne Otterby. Ida Chan, born Ida Mock in East Palo Alto in 1933, discussed the following topics: her parents arriving in East Palo...

Martha Hanks Interview

Martha Hanks Interview

Interview of Martha Hanks by Meda Okelo. Topics include how she arrived in East Palo Alto; her education at Kavanaugh, Green Oaks and Ravenswood High School;...

LaDoris Cordell Interview

LaDoris Cordell Interview

Interview of LaDoris Cordell by Sydney Jackson. Topics discussed include Cordell's journey to EPA, attending Law School at Stanford University, starting the...

Luis Guzman Interview

Luis Guzman Interview

Interview of Luis Guzman by Ruben Avelar. Topics discussed include Guzman coming to EPA as a child but growing up with time split between EPA and Zacatecas,...

Chris Bischof Interview

Chris Bischof Interview

Interview of Chris Bischof, the principal of Eastside College Preparatory School, by Ruben Avelar. Topics discussed include how Bischof first came to know...

Michael Uhila Interview

Michael Uhila Interview

Interview of Michael Uhila by Sisilia Afungia. Topics discussed include growing up in EPA, schools Uhila attended, the Pacific Islander community in EPA,...

Edrick Haggans Interview

Edrick Haggans Interview

Interview of Edrick Haggans by Ruben Avelar. Topics discussed include joining the Air Force and coming to the Bay Area during the Summer of Love, moving to...

David Rages, Sr. Interview

David Rages, Sr. Interview

Interview of David Rages, Sr. by Meda Okelo. Topics discussed include Rages' journey to EPA, Operation Sneak Out, attending Belle Haven Elementary and...

Sharon Williams Interview

Sharon Williams Interview

Interview of Sharon Williams by Ruben Avelar. Topics include coming to EPA, her education, teaching in the Ravenswood City School District, the founding and...

Thomas Dailey Interview

Thomas Dailey Interview

Interview of Thomas Dailey by Meda Okelo. Topics discussed include Dailey's journey to EPA, attending Green Oaks and Ravenswood High School, white flight and...

Estela Guerrero Interview

Estela Guerrero Interview

Interview of Estella Guerrero by Ruben Avelar. Topics discussed include growing up in EPA, attending Ravenswood High School during desegregation and its...

Nate Branch Interview

Nate Branch Interview

Interview of Nate Branch by Sharifa Wilson. Topics discussed include Branch's journey to EPA; attending Kavanaugh School, Green Oaks Academy and Ravenswood...

Bob Hoover Interview

Bob Hoover Interview

Interview of Robert "Bob" Hoover by Ruben Avelar. Topics discussed include Hoover's journey to EPA, the influence of Ed Becks, EPA's Community House for...

Ofelia Bello Interview

Ofelia Bello Interview

Interview of Ofelia Bello, the Executive Director of Youth United for Community Action (YUCA) since 2019, by Ruben Avelar. Topics discussed include her...

Anthony Cortez Interview

Anthony Cortez Interview

Interview of Anthony Cortez by Ruben Avelar. Topics discussed include Cortez growing up in EPA, being Filipino in EPA, small business owner, father migration...

Jennifer Jackson Interview

Jennifer Jackson Interview

Interview of Jennifer Jackson by Meda Okelo. Topics discussed include crime in EPA, anti-drug activism and United Mothers Against Drugs (UMAD), Nairobi...

Mel Harris Interview

Mel Harris Interview

Interview between Mel Harris by Sharifa Wilson. Topics discussed include Harris' involvement with Malcolm X & the Black Liberation Movement, the Black...

Saree Mading Interview

Saree Mading Interview

Interview of Saree Mading by Barbara Noparstak. Topics discussed include growing up in EPA, Juneteenth festivals, Collard Greens festivals, being on the...

David & Nancy Tangitau Interview

David & Nancy Tangitau Interview

Interview of David and Nancy Tangitau by Sisilia Afungia. Topics discussed include the Tongan community in EPA, the Weeks Poultry Colony, housing, crime and...

Joyce King Interview

Joyce King Interview

Interview of Joyce King by Sharifa Wilson and Sydney Jackson. Topics discussed include King's journey to EPA, Black students at Stanford University and the...

Kenia Najar Interview

Kenia Najar Interview

Interview of Kenia Najar by Juan Mendez and Ruben Avelar. Topics discussed include the Latinx community's immigration into EPA, adjusting to high school,...

Ken Jones Interview

Ken Jones Interview

Interview of Ken Jones by Meda Okelo. Topics discussed include Ravenswood High School, Nairobi College, the Black community in EPA, the EPA public works...

Rose Jacobs Gibson Interview

Rose Jacobs Gibson Interview

Interview of Rose Jacobs Gibson by Meda Okelo. Topics discussed include Ravenswood High School, anti-drug activism, community engagement through the EPA...

Diana Bloch Interview

Diana Bloch Interview

Interview of Diana Bloch by Dianne Otterby. Topics discussed include housing and the creation of the Greenwave intentional community, Bloch's journey to EPA,...

Faye Bassette Interview

Faye Bassette Interview

Interview of Faye Bassette by Dianne Otterby. Topics discussed include Ravenswood High School, Little League, Faye's journey to EPA, incorporation, and the...

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