Ellis, Geoffrey

Date:
2021-12-10
Interviewer:
Manning, Joseph
Transcription available:
no
Series:
Voices of Russell in a Time of Change
Series ID:
2023_019
Interview Number(s):
2023_19_8
Summary:

In the fourth of four interviews, Ellis discusses Old Walnut St. era of west Louisville, growing up in Russell and in Smoketown, relationship with father, Beecher Terrace, Naval service, racism during Naval years, shoe store owner, working for Delta airlines, economic strength of Louisville in the 1970s and 80s, friendship with Ross Jessup, early work in community service, halfway house director, violence intervention and juvenile diversion programming, gang violence in Louisville, civil rights work, West End advocacy, NAACP, career in Louisville government, Harvey Sloane, Jerry Abrams, LMPD corruption, internal affairs, family life, conversion experience, divinity school, preaching in the ministry.


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.

Topic(s):
Russell (Louisville, Ky.), African American businesspeople, African Americans--Kentucky--Louisville, Clergy, Veterans, Social workers, Civil rights activists