Mr. Wells had roots in the Clinton community, going back to his parents' ancestry in slavery. He discusses his time in the military during World War I, his education at Jackson State, and Black land ownership in Clinton, especially the amount of Black people who lost or gave up land during The Great Migration.
Mr. Cole worked all over the nation as a voting rights activist. In this interview, he talks about voting, especially through the lens of his memories of voter registration drives during the Civil Rights Movement and up to the present day. He gives a nuanced interpretation of voting rights and voting activities in several parts of Mississippi.
Mr. McElroy was born in 1891 and was a lifelong resident of Clinton. He talks about being the son of a former slave and discusses the oral traditions around the Clinton Riot as well as his education and childhood.
Mr. Peterson was born in 1891 and was a lifelong resident of Clinton. He talks about his parents being born into slavery; the Clinton Riot; his Christian faith; and his education, specifically giving an overview of the curriculum of his school at the turn of the century.
Mrs. Willie Robinson was born in Clinton and lived there her entire life, remaining very involved in the community and local politics. In the interview, she talks about the Dickey Survey Area, a plot of land bought in the northwest part of Clinton for Black residents and she discusses the growth of Clinton and its effect on the school system.
Nancy Cahill moved from Washington D.C., with her parents in 1948 when she was six years old and had lived in Clinton most of her life. In the interview she talks about her family's history in Clinton, MS, dating back to the 19th century; the town's rapid growth; her education; how Clinton compares and contrasts with Jackson; and racism in Clinton.
