Stoner, Fred

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.

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 Simpson's recollections of his life in Sheppard Square. Simpson talks about commuity relationships and his family's multi-generational history. Simpson talks about activities, especially boxing, and Fred Stoner at the Presbyterian Community Center, and busing to Kammerer Middle School. He was a champion chess player with his brother at Meyzeek Middle School. Simpson shares his perspective on the community's criminal activity and related societal issues. He talks about initally being conflicted over HOPE VI plans for Sheppard Square but eventually concluding that "project-type" housing for the poor has "run its course."