Presbyterian Community Center (Louisville, Ky.)

Adams recalls the history of the east downtown and Smoketown neighborhoods of Louisville, the predecessor organizations of the Presbyterian Community Center beginning in the 1910s, and the street corner newspaper sales business in Louisville beginning in the 1920s. Both men discuss their efforts to develop a recreation program in basketball, baseball and boxing at the Presbyterian Community Center beginning in the 1930s, the association of Muhammad Ali with the Center, and administrative changes at the Center during the early 1960s.

Barker shares her memories of her childhood and early adult years at Sheppard Square. She talks about Grace Community Center, mentioning many teachers by name, includig Fred Stoner. She remembers a childhood filled with physical ctivity, much of it spent outdoors. To Barker, Sheppard Square was "a great place to live" where neighbors knew and supported each other and corrected one another's children. Her father worked for the maintenance department of the Louisville Housing Authority. She talks about the changes in the complex, including an increase in single-family homes and a decline in property maintenance.

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.

This interview covers Griffin's memories of her childhood and teenage years at Sheppard Square. Her husband, Edward, accompanied her during the interview. She talks about her family, neighborhood mothers, the Presbyterian Community Center and other mentors. As a young child, Griffin was exposed to the community's danger: gun violence, drug deals and prostitution. Despite the harsh world she witnessed, she describes a happy childhood playing outside for most of the day and enjoying a variety of activities at PCC. She is proud of coming from Sheppard Square. Griffin offers an insightful look into a public housing childhood, experiencing its best and worst episodes, and a young girl's journey to self esteem.

This interview covers Hyde's memories of her childhood in Sheppard Square. Outside of school, her days were spent doing chores, playing with friends, participating in activities sponsored by neighborhood churches, the Presbyterian Community Center and the nearby public library. She recalls a strong attachment to the senior citizens in the community. She was influenced by her mother's commitment to communtiy volunteer work. She noticed a change in the neighborhood in the later 1970s attributing that to a reduction in services to children, the departure of senior citizens from the communtiy and a decrease in two-parent families.

Jin, a native of New York City, talks about her move to Louisville in 1996 and the circumstances that brought her to Sheppard Square. She describes the first two years as "rough." Shootings and illegal drug activity were prevalent. Jin served on the Sheppard Square Resident Council but became frustrated with the process and resigned. Generally speaking, Jin talks in survival language about her and her daughter's experiences in Sheppard Square. She believes that people outside of public housing unfairly characterize its residents. She adds, however, that there are people who seem to perpetuate the stereotypes. Her reaction to the Hope VI project is mixed.

Clay describes a protected and nurturing childhood at Sheppard Square. She describes the Presbyterian Community Center (PCC) as pivotal to her and the neighborhood, a place her mother trusted. Clay recounts a shooting at Meyzeek Middle School. Her strongest memories are of people coming home from work, helpful neighbors, and mentors at her schools and at PCC. She recalls people bringing food baskets to her home and understanding that her life was different from others. Clay talks about changes in the community: residents became frustrated, crime and unemployment increased. She talks of the juxtaposition of her story in that her mother worked in the restrooms at Churchill Downs and years later, in 2004, Clay chaired the Kentucky Derby Festival. She hopes the new community supports the PCC because every child, regardless of family income, needs a safe refuge outside of their home.

Covers Owens' recollections of his childhood spent in Sheppard Square. Owens talks about a community of families, strong male role models, and childhood friends. He recalls a safe and supportive environment. Bates Memorial Baptist Church, Grace Community Center, and a nearby library provided activities and mentoring. Owens recalls Central High School's highly qualified teachers. He covers memories of local businesses and his personal experiences with segregation. He finds it strange that he doesn't have any negative memories of Sheppard Square given its most recent reputation for poverty and crime. Owens has mixed emotions about the demolition of his childhood home.

Covers Russell's remembrances of living in Sheppard Square, focusing on his childhood through adolescence. He shares overwhlemingly positive memories of his experiences at Sheppard Square, giving particular praise to adults in the community, including Sheppard Square residents, area businessmen, neighborhood churches, and mentors at the Grace Community Center. He felt cared for, nourished, protected, and happy as a child. He recalls noticing a change in the neighborhood upon his return in 1972, including fewer children participating in organized activities, single-family homes, and vandalism. Russell talks about a major shift in the residency population taking place in the 1980s when long-time residents moved out. Russell is saddened by the demolition of his childhood home.