James K. Polk oral history interview 3, 2007 March 21

Description

James Polk recounts fond memories of living in the Grier Heights neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina and visiting the nearby Brooklyn neighborhood, also known as Second Ward, with a focus on local businesses. He discusses working for his uncle at Grier Funeral Service, the company's history, and its significance in the African American community in Charlotte. Other topics include attending segregated schools and white and black entrepreneurs in Brooklyn. Mr. Polk concludes by discussing urban renewal and how it forced Grier Funeral Service to relocate to the west side of Charlotte.

In collections

Student Project on Second Ward

Details

Title: James K. Polk oral history interview 3, 2007 March 21
Interviewee: Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1926-2010
Interviewer: Franklin, Solomon
Place of Publication: Charlotte, North Carolina
Publisher: J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Date of Interview: 2007-03-21
Physical Description: 1 audio file (34:14) : digital, MP3
Object Type: sound recording-nonmusical
Genre: spoken word
Language: eng
Interviewee Biography: James Polk was an 81-year-old man at the time of interview, which took place in his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was born in Charlotte in 1926. He was educated at Clear Creek High School and Johnson C. Smith University and was employed as a funeral director with Grier Funeral Service and as a management consultant.
Abstract: James Polk recounts fond memories of living in the Grier Heights neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina and visiting the nearby Brooklyn neighborhood, also known as Second Ward, with a focus on local businesses. He discusses working for his uncle at Grier Funeral Service, the company's history, and its significance in the African American community in Charlotte. Other topics include attending segregated schools and white and black entrepreneurs in Brooklyn. Mr. Polk concludes by discussing urban renewal and how it forced Grier Funeral Service to relocate to the west side of Charlotte.
Digital Object Notes: MP3 access copy created on ingest from WAV preservation master. Interview transferred from compact disc with Exact Audio Copy.
Audio Condition Note: Interview originally divided on CD into seven tracks. There are brief pauses in the recording between the tracks which interrupt the flow of conversation.
Interviewee Occupations: Undertakers and undertaking
Executives
Subjects--Names: Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1926-2010
Subjects--Organizations: Grier Funeral Service (Charlotte, N.C.)
Subjects--Topics: African Americans--Segregation
African American business enterprises
Funeral homes
City and town life
African American neighborhoods
African American families
Urban renewal
Subjects--Geographic: North Carolina--Charlotte
North Carolina--Charlotte--Grier Heights
North Carolina--Charlotte--Brooklyn
North Carolina--Charlotte--Second Ward
Subjects--Genre: Interviews
Oral histories
Coverage--Dates: 1930-2010
Digital Collection Title: Student project on Second Ward
Rights: This Item is protected by copyright and/or related rights. You are free to use this Item in any way that is permitted by the copyright and related rights legislation that applies to your use. For other uses you need to obtain permission from the rights-holder(s).
This material is protected by copyright. Copyright is held by the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
Internet Media Type: audio/mpeg
Related Interviews: James K. Polk oral history interview 1, 2004 March 27, J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte
Identifier: OH-PO0557
Handle URL: http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/uncc:2589

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