Housing

Robin Bray is a real estate agent. She discussed the history of redlining and current efforts to revitalize West Louisville.

Brown discusses her work on the Human Relations Commission. Founded in in 1962, the Louisville Metro Human Relations Commission was established City of Louisville to protect its citizens from unlawful discrimination. The following year, the City first adopted an Ordinance prohibiting places of public accommodations from refusing service based on race.

Sheila Brown grew up in the Parkland neighborhood and then lived all over the city. She was a child when the 1968 Parkland Riot occurred. She talked about how it changed her neighborhood. Brown was also among the first group of African American kids bussed in Louisville. She remembered the protest and taunts aimed at her and the other students.

Tia Brown grew up in the Newburg neighborhood and currently resides in Fern Creek. She shared memories of Newburg from her childhood and the history she’s researched of the neighborhood. She worked for a time as a real estate agent in Maryland and compared it to the housing situation in Kentucky.

Bryant discusses her childhood in Detroit, Michigan, where her father was involved in fair housing work. The interview also includes recollections of her education at a private girls' school in Washington, D.C. and at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee, where she received an AB in history; her move to Louisville with her husband, a physician; her work with the West End Community Council; and involvement with the Black Six conspiracy trial.

Civil rights activist Ruth Bryant (1923-2013) speaks about her childhood and family history growing up in Detroit; her move to Louisville and observations about housing available to Black Louisvillians; how she became interested in and active in the open housing movement; her work with Committee on Community Development oversaw all federal funding that came into Louisville and how it was dispersed; and her involvement with other organizations such as the West End Community Council, Head Start, Citizens' Advisory Committee under the Urban Renewal Program, Black Unity League of Kentucky, and Women United for Social Action. She also talks about her arrest at open housing demonstrations and her memories of the 1968 Parkland Uprising. She mentions but does not speak at length about being one of the "Black Six," a group of Black Louisvillians accused of inciting rebellion during the 1968 Parkland Uprising and charged with conspiracy to destroy property and to blow up West End chemical plants.

Delquan Dorsey talks about his childhood and teen years in Sheppard Square housing. Dorsey connects his career in community organizing to his childhood experiences. He recalls an abundance of playmates and play activities. Dorsey shares a strong appreciation for the history of Smoketown and a pride in his family's roots there. He recalls feeling safe despite criminal activity in the neighborhood and a short-lived episode in which he was recruited to sell drugs. He talks about benefits and detriments of living in a compact and isolated neighborhood. He specifically credits his mother, mentors at Bates Memorial Baptist Church and at the Presbyterian Community Center with instilling in him a belief in his potential.

Charlie Early and Anita Lott are a non-romantic couple that met while Anita was experiencing homelessness and Charlie was living with his sister. Anita was born in Mississippi and married twice. Through her second marriage she was exposed to the real estate business and learned how to make money buying, selling and renting out properties. After a bad investment she was bankrupt and without means so she became homeless. During this time she was arrested for prostitution and sought protection from various men as she says homelessness is especially dangerous for women. Charlie Early was living with his sister when he met Anita. He left her home to help Anita as long as she promised to only do the right thing from then on. Together they lived under bridges, and in boxes in various cities in Tennessee, Alabama, and Arkansas in search of housing and healthcare. They finally traveled to Louisville where they were able to get some aid from St. John Center, the Coalition for the Homeless, and Forgotten Louisville. Finally they were able to find housing through St. John Center's Permanent Supportive Housing Program. (Although this is an all male program, Anita is allowed to stay as well.) Together they relay their experiences with the Permanent Supportive Housing Program, homelessness, police officers, street violence, mental illness, barriers to housing, and their experience with other homeless individuals.

This interview covers Ellis' recollections of his childhood at Sheppard Square. He recalls activities at Grace Community Center, a predecessor to the Presbyterian Community Center (PCC), and the mentors there, who inspired him to become a community activist. Ellis recalls a supportive neighborhood, including white-owned businesses that sold groceries on credit and funded neighborhood athletic teams. He expresses pride in coming from Sheppard Square, even though he believes the community's attitude changed from a focus on working for a better life to complacency and permanence. Ellis voices concern about former public housing residents who may not be equipped to live outside of the housing authority's oversight.

During this two-hour interview, Fields describes his childhood experiences at Sheppard Square. He recalls a relatively safe environment where a shooting would have been an out-of-the-ordinary event. Grace Presbyterian Center provided a safe place for skating, boxing, and other activities. Fred Stoner is talked about as are his grandparents, Bennie and Elizabeth Gardner. He talks about competition, personal responsibility and contributing to the community. In addition to childhood memories, Fields recounts his journey of self-discovery and offers insight into being an African American male, coming of age during the Civil Rights era, and increased opportunities for the Black community through education and individual perseverance.