Ross, James L., 1934-

Howerton, Stephen

Charlotte, North Carolina

J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

2004-03-10

1 audio file (1:10:07) : digital, MP3 + 1 transcript (26 pages : PDF)

sound recording-nonmusical

spoken word

eng

James L. Ross was a 69-year-old man at the time of interview, which took place at the House of Prayer for All People in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was born in Matthews, North Carolina in 1934. He was educated at Second Ward High School and the University of North Carolina at Charlotte and was employed as a management consultant.

James Ross talks about the Brooklyn community in Charlotte, also known as Second Ward. He describes in detail the different kinds of housing in Brooklyn, the residents, economic conditions, and why it was such a strong African American neighborhood that attracted many visitors from surrounding communities. Mr. Ross discusses African American police officers in Brooklyn, the United House of Prayer and what made it so unique, Second Ward High School, and big annual events including the House of Prayer convocation parade and the Queen City Classic football match. He discusses urban renewal at length, including reasons why it happened and how urban renewal negatively impacted Charlotte's black residents. Mr. Ross describes how urban renewal caused tension in other black communities in Charlotte as an influx of new residents moved in. He also talks about the culture of Charlotte and compares its social climate with other southern cities during segregation.

MP3 access copy created on ingest from WAV preservation master. Digital file of interview transferred electronically to Atkins Library.

Interview starts abruptly. Background voices throughout interview.

Consultants

Ross, James L., 1934-
Brookshire, Stanford R., 1905-1990
Grace, Daddy, 1882?-1960

United House of Prayer for All People
Second Ward High School (Charlotte, N.C.)
Charlotte (N.C.). Mayor's Community Relations Committee

African Americans--Segregation
African American neighborhoods
City and town life
Slums
Urban renewal
African Americans--Social conditions
African American police
African American churches
Easter
African American business enterprises
Gay clubs
Nightlife
Race relations
African American schools
African Americans--Education

North Carolina--Charlotte
North Carolina--Charlotte--Brooklyn
North Carolina--Charlotte--Second Ward
North Carolina--Charlotte--Blue Heaven

Interviews
Oral histories

1940-2010

Student project on Second Ward

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audio/mpeg

James L. Ross oral history interview 2, 2004 March 17, J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte; James L. Ross oral history interview 3, 2005 March 22, J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte (https://goldmine.uncc.edu/islandora/object/uncc%3A196)

OH-RO0393