GHCC: Building & Strengthening Vibrant Urban Communities

YouthWorkers Collect Greater Homewood's Oral Histories

Zachary Wiener, a Baltimore City College alum and current student at Swarthmore College in Pennsylvania, teamed up with GHCC for an oral history project with our YouthWorkers this summer. Zack and seven Baltimore City high school students explored oral histories in Greater Homewood.

Our YouthWorkers participated in audio editing and digital story construction to make these stories unfold before your very ears. We invite you to listen to these intergenerational Baltimore stories and share them with your friends and neighbors.

Ms. Connie Ross - Barclay

Ms. Ross shares the history of her neighborhood and the effect segregation and the Civil Rights Movement had on her youth.  She then discusses current redevelopment in her neighborhood and the excitement of having more families return to Barclay.

Click here to listen to Kendra and Ms. Ross' conversation.

The interview contains the song Airplanes by B.o.B., featuring Hayley Williams (2010), produced by Alex da Kid and DJ Frank E.

Dr. Jacqueline Waters-Scofield - Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle School

 "Dr. J.," is the principal of Margaret Brent Elementary/Middle School in Charles Village. Since she was a child in West Baltimore, she has wanted to be a teacher and administrator. She speaks with four of our YouthWorkers about childhood and current life in her West Baltimore neighborhoods and her work in the Baltimore City Public Schools.

Click here to listen to Dr. Waters-Scofield's conversation.

Mr. Jerome Washington - Better Waverly

Mr. Washington, owner of Washington Signs, has lived in the Better Waverly neighborhood for over 40 years.  He speaks about being the first African-American to move into the community in the 1960s.  He also reflects on his role as a neighborhood fixture after decades of service in his community both as a resident and an area business owner.

Click here to listen to Mr. Washington's conversation.

Reflections on Segregation

YouthWorker Kendra worked with Intern Zack Wiener to create this compilation from our 3 interviewees about their experiences in a segregated Baltimore.  Each reflection addresses a different aspect of life and communities.

Click here to listen to the audio piece on segregation in Baltimore.