Second of four interviews with Mr. Ellis in which he talks about Old Walnut St. era of west Louisville, growing up in Russell and in Smoketown, relationship with father, Naval service, 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 Louisivlle government, Harvy Sloane, Jerry Abrams, LMPD courruption, 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.
In the first of four interviews, Mr. Ellis reflects on the Old Walnut St. era of west Louisville, growing up in Russell and in Smoketown, Naval service, being a shoe store owner, working for Delta airlines, friendship with Ross Jessup, early work in community service, halfway house director, violence intervention and juvenile diversion programming, civil rights work, West End advocacy, career in Louisville government, 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.
Grady discusses her life in Beecher Terrace, being a kitchen beautician, raising kids in income-based housing, community and good times in Beecher Terrace, working as a nurse assistant, watching other people's kids, work at Louisville Linen, domestic work for wealthy families in Indian Hills, moving to L.A., work at Pendenis Club, family life as a child, father's hobby as a woodworker, work on Resident Council at Beecher Terrace, Western Branch Library,
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.
Haines talks about opening Sweet Peaches, first impressions of Russell, the importance of cooking good food for people, finding community and sense of self-worth in working, difficulty keeping business open during COVID, structuring business to meet the needs of the community, giving food away, working to stabilize life for children and families in Russell, life in food service, family life, learning to cook, recipes, being nice to everybody as a practice.
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.
