Mrs. Thereasea Elder was born and raised in the Greenville section of Charlotte. While not a Brooklyn native herself she visited Brooklyn and interacted with its inhabitants. She has been active in the Mecklenburg County Black Heritage Committee and has received the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award. Her history and activities allowed her to speak knowledgably about Urban Renewal activities both in Brooklyn and Greenville. She spoke regarding familial activities, churches, economic activities and race relations in Charlotte. Mrs. Elder also spoke of the African-American experience post Urban Renewal.Read more…

Mr. Morgan C. EdwardsRead more…

Ms. Vermelle Diamond Ely grew up in Brooklyn on Stonewall Street, a more affluent section of the Brooklyn neighborhood. Mrs. Ely attended Second Ward High School and eventually became an educator herself in the same school system. She speaks extensively of her fond memories of friends, games and the school and its teachers. Mrs. Ely is very vocal on the subject of Urban Renewal and has suggestions on how politicians could learn from the Brooklyn neighborhood’s removal. She is also one of the authors of Charlotte, North Carolina of the Black American Series as well as founder of the Second Ward High School Alumni Foundation. She participated in a group interview with other alumni of Second Ward.

Ms. Vermelle Diamond Ely is included of the Second Ward Alumni Interview.

Mr. Price Davis’ memories span almost twenty years, and, although he resided in Cherry and New York City during this time, attended the first African-American High School in Charlotte, Second Ward, which was located in the heart of Brooklyn. Graduating from Second Ward in 1939 and about to turn eighty years old in two months, Mr. Davis was very emotional and vocal with his testimony, offering a fascinating view into not only the daily life of the residents of Brooklyn but also insights into public services, specifically the actions and policies of the Charlotte Police Department. Mr. Davis describes, in detail, the feelings towards the first black officers in Charlotte, his brutal treatment under white officers, and his ultimate love of the city of Charlotte and how it has changed. Davis participated in two interviews, the second of which was recorded with a small group of Second Ward High School Alumni.

Mr. Price Davis is also included of the Second Ward Alumni Interview

Read more…

Ms. Naomi A. Davis grew up in the Cherry neighborhood but attended Second Ward High School. Mrs. Davis is married to Calvin C. Davis and talks of their memories together at Second Ward and of her personal achievements. Mrs. Davis is very vocal with regards to school functions, school rivalries, churches in the Brooklyn district and issues of the loss of heritage in Urban Renewal. She is particularly knowledgeable about where churches were relocated and those that merged within Brooklyn. Mrs. Davis participated in a small group interview of Second Ward High School Alumni.

Ms. Naomi A. Davis is included of the Second Ward Alumni Interview.