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Interview with Barbara Sheats, June 6, 2022

Richard B. Russell Library for Political Research and Studies, University of Georgia
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00:00:00 - Introduction

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Partial Transcript: You ready to start?

Segment Synopsis: Sheats introduces herself and lists the schools that she attended.

Keywords: Athens Academy; Athens Montessori Shool; Clarke Central High School; Clarke Middle School; Timothy Road Elementary School

00:02:37 - Living on Swanson Circle/ Childhood games

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Partial Transcript: Well- what um- tell me about the community you grew up in.

Segment Synopsis: Sheats recalls the neighborhood she grew up in, Swanson Circle, as a community of Black professionals. She then talks about dancing and learning different styles throughout her life. Sheats also lists and explains the different games that she played during her childhood.

Keywords: Atari; Checkers; Hangman; Monopoly; Mrs. Pac-Man; Pac-Man; Rubik's Cube; Timothy Road; UNO

00:09:42 - College decision

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Partial Transcript: Okay, now one of the things that I wanted to talk with you about and the reason I selected you

Segment Synopsis: Sheats describes her decision-making process when choosing which college she would attend. She attributes cost as one of her main reasons for choosing to attend UGA. Sheats also recalls being proficient at doing hair and inviting students from UGA to get their hair done by her at her father's business.

Keywords: Florida A&M University; Sheats Barber and Beauty Shop; Spellman College; University of Georgia

00:12:29 - Working in the business

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Partial Transcript: Now you- um- have said several times, "I grew up in the business"

Segment Synopsis: Sheats reflects on growing up and working for the salon, highlighting how her tasks would advance through the years. She also talks about the transition from an apprentice to a master stylist.

Keywords: Sheats Barber and Beauty Shop

00:17:01 - Beauty supply politics

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Partial Transcript: Now you mention also that you -um- had -um- gone to different trade shows

Segment Synopsis: Sheats describes what occurs at a hair trade show. She explains the pricing discrepancies of hair products that occur between public beauty supply companies and distributors of certain companies. Sheats also highlights how diversified many haircare companies have become and talks about the significance of communicating with clients.

00:28:43 - Upbringing and Herman Sheats

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Partial Transcript: Now we're going to go back to your upbringing

Segment Synopsis: Sheats recalls her father telling her to do the right thing throughout her life. She mentions that her father advised her to always follow the rules before becoming a real estate broker. She also shares what it was like growing up with her father's expectations and popularity within the community. Sheats reflects on how she was not able to misbehave because there was always someone who knew her father.

Keywords: Ambrose McDow; Clarke Central High School; Rev. David H. Nunnally; Timothy Baptist Church

00:35:45 - Business learning curves and growth

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Partial Transcript: And let me also ask you what were some of the learning curves that you had to learn on your own

Segment Synopsis: Sheats discusses the impact that the advancement of business technology had on her ability to modernize the shop. She also recalls some of the business decisions that did not work, emphasizing the significance of understanding the community. Sheats believes that in the future, the shop's clientele and staff will become more diverse due to the changing racial demographics of the area

Keywords: Sheats Barber and Beauty Shop

00:43:32 - Hot Corner and The Bottom

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Partial Transcript: Well um- Now I'm going to move to an area that you were- in fact you weren't even born when these areas were-um- I would say at their peak

Segment Synopsis: Sheats describes Hot Corner and the Bottom and lists the businesses and prominent Black families that were once there. She lists some of the reasons why Black property ownership declined, emphasizing the area's proximity to the University of Georgia as the one of the main factors.

Keywords: Airbnb; Chase Street Elementary School; Downtown Athens; Dr. Donarell Green; Gentrification; Hancock Avenue; Monroe "Pink" Morton; Morton Theatre; The Plaza; Wilson's Styling Shop

00:48:25 - Advice to younger self and others

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Partial Transcript: Well, we're getting close to the end of the interview

Segment Synopsis: Sheats advises her younger self to embrace change and to continue learning and listening to others. She emphasizes the significance of doing what is best for yourself and treating others with respect.