Kelly Alexander Jr. oral history interview 2, 2007 April 7
Description
Kelly Alexander Jr., son of former NAACP president Kelly Alexander Sr., recounts fond memories of growing up in the Brooklyn neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina, also known as Second Ward. He discusses notable businesses, banks, churches, and the neighborhood itself. Mr. Alexander shares the history of his family's business, Alexander Funeral Home, and its place in the Brooklyn community. He describes and critiques urban renewal in Charlotte during the 1960s and 1970s in detail. Topics include a discussion of civil engineer Robert Moses, who popularized urban renewal programs across the United States; the cultural influences in Charlotte that brought about urban renewal; the relocation of businesses, churches, and families after much of Second Ward's buildings were torn down; and his thoughts on similarities between proponents of free market policies in Charlotte's government during urban renewal and at the time of interview.
