The third of four interviews in which Mr. Ellis reflects on his friendship with Ross Jessup, Grace Hope Presbyterian Center, early work in community service, halfway house director, violence intervention and juvenile diversion programming, gang violence in Louisville, Cryps and Bloods, civil rights work, Shelby Lanier, Black Police Officer's Association, West End advocacy, Black Unity League of Kentucky (BULK), 1968 "Riots," Black Six, NAACP, career in Louisivlle government, Harvy Sloane, Jerry Abrams, conversion experience, divinity school, preaching in the ministry, history of AME churches.
These and other interviews were conducted by the Louisville Story Program and collaboratively edited with the participants authors between 2020 and 2023. The culmination of this collaborative work is the documentary book, “If You Write Me A Letter, Send It Here: Voices of Russell in a Time of Change.” This anthology of nonfiction documents the rich layers of history and cultural heritage in the Russell area of west Louisville, a neighborhood whose history is centrally important to the Black experience in Louisville.
