A photo of the Morgan family standing at 2206 Bedford Avenue — The Morgan Family at 2206 Bedford Avenue

Voices of Oberlin

A Block Gallery exhibition featuring portraits and oral histories from Oberlin Village community members and elders

Updated: Aug 21, 2024

Through portraits and oral histories from elders and community members, Voices of Oberlin was an exhibition at the Block Gallery from June 14 through September 22, 2023, that emphasized how special the Oberlin Village community was and still is. A Reconstruction-era settlement of free African Americans, Oberlin Village produced citizens who made significant contributions to North Carolina and the nation. What makes this community so great are its families and institutions.

The exhibition was curated by Michael S. Williams of the Black On Black Project, with photography by Derrick Beasley and Teresa Moore and oral histories edited by Tamisha Thomas of TooMuchTV Productions.

Learn more in the Voices of Oberlin Gallery Guide (PDF)
Voices of Oberlin Gallery Guide Large Print (PDF)

Portraits & Oral Histories

Below are the portraits that were featured in the exhibition. Use the link in the portrait's caption to listen to the oral histories.

A portrait photograph of Alexander D. Kelley — Alexander D. Kelley

2021

Photography by Teresa Moore

Listen to Alexander D. Kelley's oral history

A portrait photograph of Andria Fields — Andria Fields

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Andria Fields' oral history

A portrait photograph of Arnell Jones Marshall — Arnell Jones Marshall

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Arnell Jones Marshall's oral history

A portrait photograph of Brenda Rand Davis — Brenda Rand Davis

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Brenda Rand Davis' oral history

A portrait photograph of Carlton Joyner — Carlton Joyner

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Carlton Joyner's oral history

A portrait photograph of Carmen Wimberley Cauthen — Carmen Wimberley Cauthen

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Carmen Wimberley Cauthen's oral history

A portrait photograph of Cheryl Crooms Williams — Cheryl Crooms Williams

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

A portrait photograph of Darlene Coleman — Darlene Coleman

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Darlene Coleman's oral history

A portrait photograph of Dwight A. Peebles — Dwight A. Peebles

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Dwight A. Peebles' oral history

A portrait photograph of Edith Jenkins Debnam — Edith Jenkins Debnam

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Edith Jenkins Debnam's oral history

A portrait photograph of Jennifer Wilder — Jennifer Wilder

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Jennifer Wilder's oral history

A portrait photograph of Joseph H. Holt Jr. — Joseph H. Holt, Jr.

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Joseph H. Holt, Jr.'s oral history

A portrait photograph of Joyce Morgan — Joyce Morgan

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Joyce Morgan's oral history

A portrait photograph of Kendall Harris — Kendall Harris

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Kendal Harris' oral history

A portrait photograph of Lallia Faison — Lallia Faison

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Lallia Faison's oral history

A portrait photograph of Lillian Goode Alston — Lillian Goode Alston

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Lillian Goode Alston's oral history

A portrait photograph of Lillian Scott Lee — Lillian Scott Lee

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Lillian Scott Lee's oral history

A portrait photograph of Mable Patterson — Mable Patterson

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Mable Patterson's oral history

A portrait photograph of Marjorie Keith — Majorie Keith

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Marjorie Keith's oral history

A portrait photograph of Rose Morgan Goode — Rose Morgan Goode

2021

Photography by Derrick Beasley

Listen to Rose Morgan Goode's oral history

Oberlin Oral Histories Project

Oberlin Oral Histories is a partnership project with the Friends of Oberlin Village and Raleigh Arts. In 2017 as a part of the Percent for Art Program associated with the Transportation Bond, Raleigh Arts began working with Friends of Oberlin Village and residents to develop the scope for a public art project along Oberlin Road.

During engagement, it became clear that capturing the voices of the Oberlin elders and original residents of Oberlin Village was vital for both the public art project and the City of Raleigh. Oral Histories were taken from 27 members of Oberlin Village selected by Friends of Oberlin Village. The interviews were taken throughout 2020-2021, mostly through virtual recording, due to the Covid 19 pandemic.

Listen to the Oberlin Oral Histories