See Our Voice: A Storytelling Series

In episode 03 you’ll meet Ms Dianne, a long time Capitol View resident who is active in her neighborhood. She’s a runner so you might see her on foot if you’re nearby. I met her back in April while I was participating in a Civil Bike Tour through Capitol View. We had just left the community garden and the next stop on the tour was Capitol View Elementary school.  Capitol View Elementary closed in 2013 but it is a beautiful brick building that sits on the corner of Metropolitan Parkway and Lynnhaven Dr. Our community tour guide was Ms. Dianne, a former CVE student and long time resident of the neighborhood. She told our group amazing stories about her experience and how it was a walkable neighborhood school that the children loved during her time there.  I decided to ask for her number, thinking she would be a wonderful storyteller and contributor for the photovoice project. Thankfully she agreed and also graciously took time to record this episode with me as well as another upcoming episode.  This was my first recording for the series so it’s a little rough at the start but smooths out toward the end. It’s a great listen.

The second episode features a trio of two Brownites and a Morehouse alum whose friendship dates almost 70 years to their Booker T. high school days. For those who aren’t local, Brownites are alums of Morris Brown College which is a part of the Atlanta University Center. This was one of my favorite conversations and I think you’ll hear why. Their stories really highlight what the word legacy means. I enjoyed hearing stories about their upbringing and what old Atlanta was like. 

This first episode features Carter E. Coleman Jr., a long time Atlanta Public School educator and lifelong resident of Ashview Heights.  Carter was principal of the historic Booker T. Washington High School from 2005 - 2009.  Booker T. will be celebrating its centennial anniversary a few weeks from the time of this recording. Booker T. Washington High School was the first public secondary school for black students in Atlanta and it was the only one until 1947.  As you’ll hear, most of Carter’s life was lived within a 10 mile radius of Parsons Street. He has lots of– rich stories about family and friends and the role education played in his life.