COMMUNITY VOICES

In this collection, you’ll hear directly from residents about their connection to East Palo Alto and its vibrant history.

The Oral History Project

This is your opportunity to share your history with us through oral storytelling. Describe your role with or perspective on a particular historical milestone.

Jeremiah Williams Interview

Interview of Jeremiah Williams by Meda Okelo about Eastside College Preparatory School. Topics...

Maria Teresa Fernández Interview

Interview of Maria Teresa Fernández by Dianne Otterby. Topics include: migrating to EPA in 1999...

Henry "Hank" Organ Interview

Interview of Henry “Hank” Organ by Jesse Norfleet about the Nairobi Legacy. Topics include: his...

Dennis C. Scherzer Interview

Interview of Dennis C. Scherzer by Meda Okelo. Topics include; coming from Akron, Ohio, then San...

Sheila George Interview

Interview of Sheila George by Sharifa Wilson. Topics include: moving to EPA from Oakland at 17;...

Gail Wilkerson-Dixon Interview

Interview of Gail Wilkerson-Dixon by Sharifa Wilson. Topics include: growing up in segregated...

Glen Bethel Interview

Interview of Glen Bethel by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migrating from Madison, Wisconsin, after...

Dempsey D. Mitchell Interview

Interview of Dempsey D. Mitchell by Meda Okelo. Topics include: arrival in EPA from Texas in...

Mrs. Millicent Grant Interview

Interview of Millicent Grant by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration from Guyana in 1969...

Rev. Louis Dixon Interview

Interview of Rev. Louis Dixon by Meda Okelo. Topics include: his family and migration from...

Burny Matthews Interview

Interview of Burnham “Burny” Matthews by Sharifa Wilson. Topics include: moving to the Bay Area...

Stephen Lamar Ashford Interview

Interview of Stephen Lamar Ashford by Meda Okelo. Topics include: his grandparents moving to EPA...

Dr. Valencia Nenaji Jackson Interview

Interview of Valencia Nenaji Jackson, PhD by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration to the Bay...

Larry Tripplett Interview

Interview of Larry Tripplett by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving to the Bay Area from Los...

Anau Hafoka Pruitt Interview

Interview of Anau Hafoka Pruitt by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migrating from Tonga via Sunnyvale...

Alvin Darnell Spencer Interview

Interview of Alvin Darnell Spencer by Meda Okelo. Topics include: family moving to EPA in the...

Avis Doctor Interview

Interview of Avis Gibson Doctor by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration to EPA in 1965 when she...

Willie Powell Jr. Interview

Interview of Willie Powell Jr. by Sharifa Wilson in Atlanta, Georgia. Topics include: arriving in...

Tiombe Jama Interview

Interview of Tiombe Jama by Meda Okelo. Topics include: arriving in EPA in 1977 from...

Gaudencio Gene Lopez Interview

Interview of Gaudencio Gene Lopez by Meda Okelo. Topics include: his Filipino dad Gaudencio...

Mary Flamer Interview

Interview of Mary Flamer by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving to East Palo Alto from San...

Michael Turner Interview

Interview of Michael Cortez Turner by Meda Okelo. Topics include: family moving to EPA in 1955;...

Rose Jacobs Gibson Interview

Interview of Rose Jacobs Gibson by Meda Okelo. Topics include: family moving from San Francisco...

William Piazza Interview

Interview of William Piazza by Sharifa Wilson. Topics include: moving to EPA from Mountain View...

William Piazza City Tour

Tour of EPA with William Piazza and Sharifa Wilson. William Piazza reminisced about each of the...

Larry Calloway Interview

Interview of Larry Calloway by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving to EPA from Hunter’s Point in...

Messina Adreame Wattley Interview

Interview of Messina Adreame Wattley by Sharifa Wilson in Atlanta, Georgia. Topics include: how...

Kathleen Butler Powell Interview

Interview of Kathleen Butler Powell by Sharifa Wilson in Atlanta, Georgia. Topics include:...

Onira Tarés Parham Interview

Interview of Onira Tarés Parham by Sharifa Wilson in Atlanta, Georgia. Topics include: being...

Khabral O. Muhammad Interview

Interview of Khabral O. Muhammad by Sharifa Wilson in Atlanta, GA. Topics include: growing up in...

Morris Shintaku Interview

Interview of Morris Shintaku by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving to EPA in early 1950’s after...

Halley Irene Crumb Interview

Interview of Halley Irene Crumb by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving into EPA at age 10 in 1974,...

Senter Uhilamoelangi Interview

Interview of Senter Uhilamoelangi by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving to EPA in 1982 to become...

Christopher Gordon Ellis Interview

Interview of Christopher Gordon Ellis by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration to EPA in 1977 via...

Isaiah Phillips Interview

Interview of Isaiah Phillips by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving to EPA when young; local...

Kathleen Lynne Mercer Interview

Interview of Kathleen Lynne Mercer by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration with her husband,...

Larry Graves, Jr. Interview

Interview of Larry Graves by Meda Okelo. Topics include: Migration to East Palo Alto around 1972...

Randall Brothers Interview

Interview of the five Randall brothers (Walter T. Randall Jr, Andre M. Randall, Stephen E....

Eugene "Gene" Tate Interview

Interview of Eugene “Gene” Tate by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada. Topics include: moved to...

Hugo Alar Bravo Interview

Interview of Hugo Alar Bravo by Meda Okelo. Topics include: arriving in EPA from the Philippines...

Vicki Denise Smothers Interview

Interview of Vicki Denise Smothers by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving to EPA from San...

Zakiya Carr Johnson Interview

Interview of Zakiya Carr Johnson, the Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer for the U.S....

Luis Vizcardo Interview

Bi-lingual interview of Luis Vizcardo by Meda Okelo. Topics include: born in Lima, Peru; moving...

Lerisa Sherina Puckett Interview

Interview of Lerisa Sherina Puckett by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving in with grandparents on...

Jane Perry Interview

Interview of Jane L. Perry by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration from Texas to EPA in 1957...

Rufus Puckett, Jr. Interview

Interview of Rufus Puckett, Jr. by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration from San Francisco to...

Iliana Nicholas Interview

Interview of Iliana Nicholas by Meda Okelo. Topics include: family migrated from Mexico; born in...

Delores Erving Bradford Farrell Interview

Interview of Delores Erving Bradford Farrell by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about...

Angah Miessi Interview

Interview of Angah Miessi by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migrating from the Ivory Coast in Africa...

Dianne Otterby Interview

Interview of Dianne Otterby by Meda Okelo. Topics include: family background; migration from...

Gloria Cormier Interview

Interview of Gloria Cormier by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High School....

Fran Cooper Frierson Interview

Interview of Fran Cooper Frierson by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High...

Ella M. Wiggins Beecher Interview

Interview of Ella Wiggins Beecher by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High...

Deidra Wright Interview

Interview of Deidra Wright by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High School....

David L. Cheney Interview

Interview of David (Dave) Cheney by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High...

Janet Thomas Interview

Interview of Janet Thomas by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High School....

Shirley Mitchell Neal Interview

Interview of Shirley Mitchell Neal by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High...

Joyce M. Myles Interview

Interview of Joyce Myles by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada, about Ravenswood High School....

Willie McGee Interview

Interview of Willie McGee by Sharifa Wilson in Las Vegas, Nevada about Ravenswood High School. He...

Dr. Cecil Reeves Interview

Interview of Dr. Cecil Reeves by Sharifa Wilson in Atlanta, Georgia. Topics include: his family...

William Byron Webster Interview

Interview of William Byron Webster by Duane Bay and Meda Okelo. Topics include: going to...

Dr. Mama Nobantu Ankoanda Interview

Interview of Dr. Mama Nobantu Ankoanda by Sharifa Wilson in Atlanta, Georgia. Topics include:...

Emily L. Hamamoto Interview

Interview of Emily Hamamoto by Meda Okelo. Topics include: arrival in Palo Alto at age five;...

Larry Wade & Donald Smothers Interview

Interview of Larry Wade & Donald Smothers by Jesse Norfleet about Ravenswood High School. Topics ...

William "Will Roc" Grifffin

Interview of William "Will Roc" Griffin by Kalamu Chache. Topics include: arriving in EPA in...

Martha Goodwill-Murray Hanks Interview

Interview of Martha Goodwill-Murray Hanks by Jesse Norfleet about the Nairobi schools. Topics...

Bains Family Legacy Interview

Interview of five children of Pastor/Superintendent W.L. Bains and their spouses by Meda Okelo...

Kalamu Chaché Interview

Interview of Kalamu Chaché by Jesse Norfleet about Nairobi College. Topics include: migrating to...

Isaac Stevenson, Jr Interview

Interview of Isaac Stevenson, Jr by Sharifa Wilson. Topics include: moving to EPA when he was...

Renee Glover Chantler Interview

Interview of Renee Glover Chantler by Sydney Jackson and Sharifa Wilson. Topics include: going to...

Mama Dee Uhila Interview

Interview of Mama Dee Uhila by Sisilia Afungia. Topics include: migration to EPA from San Mateo...

Dr. Omowale Satterwhite Interview

Interview of Omowale Satterwhite by Jesse Norfleet about the Nairobi movement. Topics include:...

Tenants Rights in 1983

Interview of Ruben Abrica, Lon Otterby, Carlos Romero and David Skidmore by Dianne Otterby about...

Melvin & Helen Harvey Harris Interview

Interview of Melvin Harris and Helen Harvey Harris about the Nairobi Legacy. Topics include:...

Nozipo & Vulindlela Wobogo Interview

Interview of Nozipo & Vulindlela Wobogo by Jesse Norfleet. Topics include: why they came to EPA...

Rod Norris Interview

Interview of Rod Norris by Sharifa Wilson. Topics include: joining EPA Police Department in 1989;...

Cora Holmes Interview

Interview of Cora Holmes by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving from San Francisco to Grace Court ...

Stan Otani Interview

Interview of Stan Otani by Dianne Otterby. Topics include family arriving in East Palo Alto after...

Henry "Hank" Organ Interview

Interview of Henry "Hank" Organ by Meda Okelo. Topics include: moving to East Palo Alto, living...

Dorothy Romes Interview

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

Bomani Siwatu Interview

Interview of Bomani Siwatu by Meda Okelo. Topics include: Migration to EPA in 1981 after college,...

Donald Smothers Interview

Interview of Donald Smothers by Jesse Norfleet about Nairobi College. Topics include: how Nairobi...

Lakiba Pittman Interview

Interview of Lakiba Pittman by Jesse Norfleet about Nairobi College. Topics include: working at...

Saundra Webster & Chester Prince Interview

Interview of Saundra Webster and Chester Prince by Jesse Norfleet about Ravenswood High School....

Gene Tate Interview

Interview of Gene Tate by Jesse Norfleet about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: being part...

Gwen Smith Interview

Interview of Gwen Smith by Jesse Norfleet about Ravenswood High School. Topics include: migration...

Court Skinner Interview

Interview of Loren "Court" Skinner by Meda Okelo. Topics include: how he came to EPA in 1988;...

Warren Hayman Interview

Interview of Warren Hayman by Sharifa Wilson. Topics include: life before coming to the Peninsula...

Martha Goodwill Murray Hanks Interview

Interview of Martha Hanks by Dianne Otterby. Topics include: the family migration to East Palo...

Delores Farrell Interview

Interview of Delores Farrell by Jesse Norfleet about Ravenswood High School. Topics include:...

Warren Hayman Interview

Interview of Warren Hayman by Jesse Norfleet about Nairobi College and Ravenswood City School...

Juanita Croft Interview

Interview of Juanita Croft by Jesse Norfleet about Nairobi College. Topics include: her schooling...

Rosemary Steele Interview

Interview of Rosemary Steele by Ruben Avelar. Topics include: coming to EPA in 1970; first...

Anthony Johnson Interview

Interview of Anthony Johnson by Sharifa Wilson. Topics include: arrival in EPA in 1991, coaching...

Verna Winston Interview

Interview of Verna Winston by Dianne Otterby. Topics discussed include: coming to EPA in 1954,...

Matias & Maria Varela Interview

Interview of Matias & Maria Elena Varela by Ruben Avelar. Topics include EPA crime reputation in...

Ricki Stevenson Interview

Interview of Ricki Stevenson by Meda Okelo. Topics include: migration to East Palo Alto; Native...

Ida Chan Interview

Interview of Ida Chan by Dianne Otterby. Ida Chan, born Ida Mock in East Palo Alto in 1933,...

Betsy Yanez Interview

Interview of Betsy Yanez by Meda Okelo. Topics discussed include her journey to EPA; her activism...

Donna & Joe Rutherford Interview

Interview of Donna and Joe Rutherford by Jesse Norfleet. Topics discussed in the Donna Rutherford...

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The People of East Palo Alto

As part of The People of East Palo Alto series, you’ll discover video profiles of current and former residents sharing their experiences and perspectives on the past, present, and future of their hometown (or the town they call home).