Kelly Alexander
section: Interviews
Mr. Kelly Alexander Jr. was born on October 17, 1948 to Kelly Alexander Sr. and Margaret Alexander. He grew up in Brooklyn and attended Myers Street School, Second Ward High School, and Friendship Missionary Baptist Church. He lived with his family on Stonewall Street until they were forced to relocate during urban renewal. They moved to the University Park area in 1962. He and his mother live in that house to this day. His family owns Alexander Funeral Home, which was once located on Brevard Street in Brooklyn.
Mr. Alexander provides an interesting interview in regards to urban renewal because he not only experienced it, but also studied it academically. He explains why he believes Brooklyn was considered a “blighted” area and became a recipient of the urban renewal program and what he feels were some of the problems with the program.
Tape Log
Tape Log: Oral History Interview with Kelly Alexander
Interviewed by Nicole Glinski
| Time | Description of Interview Contents |
|---|---|
| 0:03 | Opening of interview |
| 0:25 | Mr. Alexander introduces his relationship with Brooklyn and his memory about the location of certain churches and businesses |
| 2:50 | Mr. Alexander talks about where the businesses and churches moved to after Urban Renewal |
| 5:03 | The history of Alexander Funeral Home |
| 8:40 | Banks in Brooklyn |
| 9:30 | Holidays and the House of Prayer parade |
| 10:10 | The conditions of the homes in Brooklyn |
| 10:57 | Blue Heaven |
| 11:28 | The Big Jungle in Brooklyn |
| 11:48 | Places for children to play in Brooklyn |
| 13:07 | Mr. Alexander’s memories of Urban Renewal |
| 13:53 | Mr. Alexander’s opinion on Urban Renewal (How it could have been prevented and the problems with the program.) |
| 16:00 | The Brooklyn Community |
| 16:35 | The Robert Moses mentality |
| 17:56 | Healing process for the old Brooklyn community |
| 19:23 | “Market Forces” argument |
| 20:32 | His message about similar circumstances occurring today in growing Charlotte. “Market forces… running amuck” |
| 23:20 | What has become of the people who once lived in Brooklyn |
| 24:30 | Whether families tried to move close to family/friends when forced to relocate during Urban Renewal and the strength of the Brooklyn community. |
| 28:15 | Closing of the interview |