The UNM Black Alumni Chapter Oral History Project was spearheaded by Barbara Brown Simmons, UNM alumna. Brown Simmons, founder and current president of the chapter, is a former criminal defense attorney residing in California. She orchestrated the project in conjunction with the UNM Black Alumni Chapter and African American Student Services. With the assistance of the University of New Mexico Oral History Program and funding by the University of New Mexico Center for Regional Studies, ten oral history interviews were recorded on video. Those interviewed are members of the UNM Black Alumni Chapter.
From UNM Black Alumni Chapter Oral History Project , 2015-2016 (MSS 948 BC), Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections, Zimmerman Library, University of New Mexico.
The interview transcripts were digitized for inclusion in the ongoing digital humanities project "And Yet She Persisted: Documenting Women's Lives in New Mexico."
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Tommie Jewell, Sr. (MA 1963)
UNM Black Alumni Chapter Oral History Project
Video of interview with Tommie Jewell Sr., who earned his MA from UNM in 1963. He taught for many years at several schools in New Mexico. Interview conducted by Marsha K. Hardeman. Interview runtime is 1 hour, 14 minutes and 12 seconds.
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Rita Ann Turfley Powdrell (BA 1968)
UNM Black Alumni Chapter Oral History Project
Video of interview with Rita Powdrell, who earned her BA from UNM in 1968. She is a member of the Mr. Powdrell's Barbeque House family, and one of the founders of the African American Museum and Cultural Center of New Mexico. Interview conducted by Marsha K. Hardeman. Interview runtime is 52 minutes and 10 seconds.
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Lenton Malry (PhD 1968)
UNM Black Alumni Chapter Oral History Project
Video of interview with Lenton Malry, PhD 1968, educator and consultant. He was New Mexico's first African-American state representative, from 1968 to 1978. Interview conducted by Marsha K. Hardeman. Interview runtime is 1 hour, 8 minutes and 42 seconds.
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James B. Lewis (MPA 1977)
UNM Black Alumni Chapter Oral History Project
Video of interview with James B. Lewis, who earned his MPA from UNM in 1977. He served as state treasurer for more than 13 years. Interview conducted by Marsha K. Hardeman. Interview runtime is 1 hour, 34 minutes.
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Ira L. Harge (BA 1964)
UNM Black Alumni Chapter Oral History Project
Video of interview with Ira L. Harge, star of UNM Lobos Basketball, earning his BA in 1964. Interview conducted by Marsha K. Hardeman. Interview runtime is 1 hour, 44 minutes and 41 seconds.
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Harold Bailey (BS 1968, MA 1971, PhD 1975)
UNM Black Alumni Chapter Oral History Project
Video of interview with Harold Bailey, who earned his BA, MA, and PhD from UNM (in 1968, 1971, and 1975 respectively). He was director of UNM's Afro-American Studies Program and of the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs. Interview conducted by Marsha K. Hardeman. Interview runtime is 50 minutes and 51 seconds.
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Charles P. Roberts (BA 1965, MA 1969)
UNM Black Alumni Chapter Oral History Project
Video of interview with Charles P. Roberts, who graduated from UNM with a BA in 1965 and an MA in 1969. He was associate Dean of Students at UNM and was instrumental in creating the Black Student Union and African American Student Center. Interview conducted by Aracely Chapa. Interview runtime is 43 minutes and 19 seconds.
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Reverend Charles Becknell, Sr. (MA 1968, PhD 1975)
UNM Black Alumni Chapter Oral History Project
Video of interview with Charles Becknell, Sr., who was the first director of African American Studies at UNM. He also served as New Mexico's criminal justice secretary from 1975-1979. He earned his MA from UNM in 1968 and his PhD in 1975. Interview conducted by Marsha K. Hardeman. Interview runtime is 1 hour, 44 minutes and 21 seconds.
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Barbara Brown Simmons (BA 1969, JD 1974)
UNM Black Alumni Chapter Oral History Project
Video of interview with Barbara Brown Simmons, who earned her BA from UNM in 1969 and her JD in 1974. She was the first Black woman to graduate from the UNM School of Law, and a cofounder of the UNM Alumni Association Black Alumni Chapter. Interview conducted by Marsha K. Hardeman. Interview runtime is 1 hour, 39 minutes and 2 seconds.
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Angela J. Jewell (JD 1979)
UNM Black Alumni Chapter Oral History Project
Video of interview with Angela J. Jewell, retired district court judge. She earned her JD from UNM in 1979 and served as a special commissioner for the Second Judicial District's Domestic Relations and Domestic Violence Division before being elected the first Black female judge on the District Court. Interview conducted by Marsha K. Hardeman. Interview runtime is 1 hour, 5 minutes and 43 seconds.
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Preserving History
The Mirage Alumni Magazine
Article from The Mirage Alumni Magazine regarding the Black Alumni Chapter Oral History Project.
