Public History Commons^™

Norris Burroughs, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Solini Chan Shue, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

For many years, organizations such as Jack and Jill were the least of Solini’s concerns as she worked multiple jobs, working hard to support her family. Until she was about 30, when she was introduced to the organization through a neighbor, and was instantly intrigued by the service for the Bronx community. This was yet another opportunity Solini took in order to participate in community service. For her, the most impactful forms of service she participated in were the Black College Tour and her work with formerly incarcerated women. Through the Black College Tour program, high school students toured historically …

Charity Simone, Mark Naison, Anthony Abd-Al Shafi Rosado

Oral Histories

Simone’s path to leadership was inspired by her late mentor, Charles Foster, who encouraged her to be an active voice in their community. After seeing issues with building maintenance and a lack of clear communication, Simone ran for office and was elected Treasurer of her Building Association in 2023. Through this role, she noticed that community work is complex and needs navigating different opinions, yet the experience ultimately reinforced her belief that community is a “verb.” To her, it is an intentional, ongoing action that requires showing up every day to hold the system accountable.

A significant aspect of Simone's …

Rudolph Coombs, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

Coombs went on to attend Payne College in Georgia through a basketball scholarship. During his time at Payne, he became president of the undergraduate chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi, where he fundraised. His time at Payne would be unfortunately cut short when he was wrongfully arrested for assault and robbery. This happened when he was leaving a jewelry store in the Bronx during one of his breaks from school.

This would effectively change the trajectory of Coombs’ life. He was tried three times, found guilty two times, but on the third time, he was declared innocent after the victim told …

Joseph Cordero, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Ammar Abdul Rahman, Mark Naison, Anthony Abd-Al Shafi Rosado, Jane Kani Edward

Oral Histories

As a leader, Rahman plays many roles beyond leading prayers. He serves as a counselor, advisor, and guide, especially for immigrants and first-generation college students who may lack extended family support. He helps community members navigate not only education but also careers, marriage, and faith-based decisions through an Islamic lens. At Fordham University, he works to build a Muslim community through programs such as Ramadan events, spiritual counseling, mentorship initiatives, and multifaith dialogue.

Overall, Imam Rahman's lived experience demonstrates the role of a religious leader who continues to support minority communities and immigrants. His messages and teachings show how Islam …

Sam Boakye, Mark Naison, Anthony Abd-Al Shafi Rosado

Oral Histories

At the end of the interview, Boakye explains what he wants for Kwasi Paul in the future, both in the Bronx and in the fashion industry. For the Bronx, he wants it to represent Ghanaian fashion, something Ghanaians in the Bronx can be proud of. He wants the Bronx to be seen as something better, not a “dirty” borough, as stereotypes would have it. For fashion, he wants to be another lens of living with in-between identities, for everyone who falls into these categories of multiple identities, especially for people in New York City.

He encapsulates the Bronx as “The …

Kleaver Cruz, Mark Naison, Anthony Abd-Al Shafi Rosado

Oral Histories

Interviewee: Kleaver Cruz

Interviewer: Anthony Rosado

Summary by Serena Velasquez

November 18, 2025

Kleaver Cruz, a Bronx native, acknowledges the legacy of “Las Mariposas,” martyrs from the Dominican Republic who opposed Trujillo, setting the tone for this event’s influence on their family’s migration stories and cultural connectivity. Having lived their whole lives in the Bronx, Cruz’s Afro-Latin identity and community became integral to their activism. Having grown up during the 90s, Cruz touches on economic hardships and living through the crack epidemic, yet asserts that they had a great childhood despite these circumstances. Cruz was influenced by figures throughout their …

Terrence Dean, Mark Naison, Steven Payne, Pastor Crespo Jr., Akilah Shedrick

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Melissa Taylor, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Kyle Eaddy, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

Karnage shares his memories of his years playing shows and recording with Xiakuan, especially after the band was able to plug into the Bronx scene of the second half of the 1990s, which included bands like Rights Reserved, Proof of Purchase, Goatamentise, and others. Karnage then shares his memories of his next musical venture, as guitarist for a live hip hop group, BR and Timebomb, and what it was like for him to tour across the U.S. with the group, while further honing his chops as a guitarist and rapper. After 5 years with the group, it broke up, and …

Jimi Hazel, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Djinji Brown, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Marti Zuckrow - Part 1, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Marti Zuckrow - Part 2, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Charles Turner, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Judith Winston Rozanski, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Joellen Eisenman Sgueglia, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Thomas Warner, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Garry Sullivan, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

No abstract provided.

Pauline Monsanto, Mark Naison

Oral Histories

Now a Golden Soror with fifty years of service, Monsanto reflects on her legacy with pride. Her daughter, initiated into Alpha Kappa Alpha through the Delta Lambda Chapter at Delaware State University in 1994 and now a Silver Star member—continues the family’s commitment to the sorority, and Monsanto hopes her granddaughter will one day follow the same path. Monsanto ends her interview with optimism, expressing complete confidence in the next generation of talented and determined young women who will carry the sorority forward. Her life stands as a testament to how service, education, and sisterhood can shape not only a …

Paul "Pete" Rosenblum, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

Paul "Pete" Rosenblum grew up in the United Workers Cooperative Colony, or the Allerton Coops, in the 1930s and 1940s. In his oral history, Pete recalls what he can about the handful of African American families that lived in the complex during the 1930s as well as the shifting social ecology of the building as more African Americans moved in during the 1940s and beyond.

LINK TO VIDEO INTERVIEW: https://cdm17265.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/baahp/id/97/rec/63

Donna Joseph, Mark Naison

Oral Histories

Her implementation of Historically Black Colleges and Universities scholarships, Community Center Drives, and Dorm Drives was an achievement she’s appreciated. She provided extensive support to people in the Bronx, and it was well-received by her peers across the nation. A humorous story she recalls is when she left a teapot set unattended while she went back to her car to retrieve the remaining piece. She returns to where it was and learns it was stolen by a woman living in a shelter. Instead of being upset that something was stolen from her, she says, “You have to tell me who …

Marci Whitehead, Mark Naison

Oral Histories

After graduating from LIU and securing both a teaching position, which proved not to be her passion, and a social work job at Abbott House, Whitehead continued her involvement in Greek life. In the early 1980s, Whitehead joined the Eta Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA), where she served as President, Graduate Advisor, Membership Chair, and Bachelors Standard Chair during her tenure. She was a very active member and leader, striving to keep the organization’s spirit alive through the various events such as “rites of passage, all of our acts of greed, programs, Aka Rosa, our highway beautification, The …

Laverne D. Best King, Mark Naison

Oral Histories

Soror D. B. King served as the 14th Basileus from 2003-2006. She continued the legacy of outstanding service leading the chapter’s signature program AKATeens Rites of Passage.

During her administration, the chapter achieved the following:

• The Chaplains committee was instituted.

• The chapter won Chapter of the 2nd place,

• Soror Pauline L Monsanto was awarded the Angel Award.

• The chapter received an Educational Award for Reading One to One. 2004.

Soror Laverne remains dedication to the Chapter’s Signature Program, AKATeens Rites of Passage (ROP) program for high school girls, the program completed its 30th year helping girls develop leadership and life …

Linda Simms Chin And Regina Williams, Mark Naison

Oral Histories

With their sorority-led initiatives that help unite the Bronx and its inhabitants, Chin and Williams feel a sense of optimism and pride for their borough. Both of them discuss that a prime example of this sisterhood was evident during Barack Obama’s presidency. This could be seen through both Chin and Williams, whether it was Chin reminiscing of the progress and resilience of African-Americans in the United States, or Williams discussing the fulfillment of seeing lines for blocks and blocks of people ready to vote and make this momentous day to occur. Chin and Williams recognize and acknowledge the importance of …

Candice Scott, Mark Naison

Oral Histories

Soror Scott authored the book "Color Me Nia" in 2017 and worked with Emmett Wigglesworth, the renowned artist and illustrator.

From 1978 - 1991 Soror Scott taught general science at CIS 166X, started their Arista Program, conducted Career Day with some of the Sorors in the Chapter. She held the position of Interim Acting Assistant Principal for two years without pay.

Dr. Scott's years of dedication and service had improved the lives of countless individuals, and she has received numerous awards, accolades, and proclamations of appreciation, including:

• Honored as the Woman of the Year for The Black Caucus of the …

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Edward Lowe - Part 2, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

Members of Lowe’s family continue to stand up for their values and help others. This willingness to fight for what is right dates back to a very important member of Lowe’s family, Edmund Kelly. Lowe shared a photo of Kelly’s letter to Abraham Lincoln on August 21st, 1863. The letter is titled “The Colored Man’s Interest in the Present War.” He wrote the letter supporting the recruitment of troops for the U.S. Colored Troop at the time. Kelly was also known for being a minister. He bought himself and Betty out of slavery. To Lowe, the Civil War is alive …

Mark "Po" Dean, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

Dean, first exposed to music through his mother’s occasional record playing, would attend parties and occasionally dance against other b-boys. Upon watching DJ Kool Herc continually unload equipment, Dean found himself immersed in hip hop by first helping DJ Kool Herc move his equipment. He reminisces on the free park parties that these sound systems were taken to, and the ability of the people across the river to hear the sound. Continuing, he discusses the difference between b-boys and breakers, the profound influence of MC’s on hip hop, and the necessary contributions of graffiti to the overall culture. Each part …

Alice Mckenzie - Part 2, Mark Naison, Steven Payne

Oral Histories

Part 2 of an oral history recorded for the Bronx African American History Project with Alice McKenzie, who grew up in the United Workers Cooperative Colony, or the Allerton Coops, located at 2700 Bronx Park East. In this second part of her oral history, Alice speaks more about her experiences as a professional dancer, her time in the New York public school system, her experiences of race and sexuality, what the Coops represents to her, and much more.

LINK TO VIDEO INTERVIEW: https://cdm17265.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/collection/baahp/id/99/rec/54