Interview with Marion Stroud, Part One, May 9, 2022

Partial Transcript: Today I am here with Mr. Arnell Stroud

Segment Synopsis: Stroud introduces himself. He lists his education and career throughout his life.

Keywords: Allen University; Athens High School; Athens High and Industrial School; Baxter Street; Frankfurt University; Jeruel Academy; Union Baptist Institute; University of Georgia; Washington High Schhol

Partial Transcript: What we'll do- again I'm repeating myself because I had my part off

Segment Synopsis: Stroud describes being born at home by a midwife. He recalls the hospitals available and mentions that there were only two black doctors at the time.

Keywords: Athens Regional Hospital; Dr. Andrew Jones; Dr. Frederick Earl McLendon; Hancock Corridor; Piedmont Athens Regional Hospital; Reese Street; Segregation; St. Mary's Hospital; Susan Medical Center

Partial Transcript: And we're taking you now to elementary school

Segment Synopsis: Stroud details Union Baptist Institute's campus. He emphasizes that students from across the country attended the school and the school was funded by Baptists churches nationwide.

Keywords: Baxter Street; Lindentown; Linnentown

Partial Transcript: Now at what point did you go to high school

Segment Synopsis: Stroud describes Athens High and Industrial School and lists some of the teachers that taught there. He explains that his favorite subjects in school were those related to English and highlights his love for art and music. Stroud also talks about being part of the band and chorus.

Keywords: C.B. Smith; Homer T. Edwards; Mr. Holmes; Ms. Swinton; Pope Street; Reese Street; Reese Street School; Reverend Phillips

Partial Transcript: Now um from there where did you- I thought I heard you say you did something in Germany

Segment Synopsis: Stroud explains that his sports experience in high school led to a full scholarship in football. He discusses attending the military during his college years and learning German in Germany. He also discusses attending college and obtaining his master's in art at the University of Georgia. Stroud highlights how his passion for art transferred to his career in art education and his involvement in a band.

Keywords: Air Force; Allen University; Chambéry, France; Clarke Central; First AME Church; Frankfurt University; Hills Chapel Church; Jackson Street; Lamar Dodd; Shady Grove; University of Georgia; University of Maryland

Partial Transcript: Now, I wanna go back to those earlier days that you remember about Hot Corner, the Bottom, or any of those neighborhoods.

Segment Synopsis: Stroud details the history of Hot Corner and the significance of Pink Morton in providing federal jobs to Black people. He describes the business and buildings that existed and the important Black figures that contributed to Hot Corner. Stroud also talks about the insurance companies and their role in employment for Black people.

Keywords: Atlanta Life Insurance; Ben Adams Dry Cleaning; Downtown Athens; Dr. Frederick Earl McLendon; Dr. Ida Hiram; Dr. William H. Harris; Guarantee Life Insurance; Mack & Payne Funeral Home; Morton Building; Morton Theater; North Carolina Mutual Life Insurance; Ray Ware; Samaritan Hall; St. John Fire Baptized Holiness Church; Wilmer jones; Winfrey Mutual Funeral Home

Partial Transcript: Now some of the areas you mentioned about- The Bottom

Segment Synopsis: Stroud describes where The Bottom was located. He describes it as a place where only Black people lived and emphasizes that is was one of the largest Black communities in Athens-Clarke County.

Keywords: Downtown; First AME Church; Hart Avenue; Lumpkin Street; Segregation; Strong Street; United States Postal Service

Partial Transcript: Yes I would like to talk about all of the neighborhoods- Black neighborhoods at that time

Segment Synopsis: Stroud describes Athens communities as being segregated and that many Black people owned their homes. He emphasizes that where there was a Black church and a pure Black community. He then lists areas in Athens where Black people lived.

Keywords: Athens High and Industrial School; Beechwood Drive; Brooklyn Road; Callaway corner; Chase Street; Ed Bazell; First AME; First AME church; Hancock Ave; Hill First Baptist Church; Lucy Cobb Institute; Magnolia Street; Milledge Avenue; Mt. Pleasant Baptist Church; Phillips Road; Pope Street; Public housing; Pulaski Street; Reese Street; Rock Glen Road; Segregation; St. Mary’s Hospital; The Bottom; The E.D. Harris Drug Store; University of Georgia

Partial Transcript: What happened?

Segment Synopsis: Stroud lists the areas in Athens that are no longer predominantly Black. He describes the "Black Economy" that existed during segregation, highlighting that Black people would do jobs that white people would not. He recalls Black people being able to afford homes and cars with their income. Stroud also describes the ways in which Black people lost their homes, businesses, and jobs.

Keywords: Allenville; Barnett Shoals Road; Baxter; Broad Street; Chase Street; Dorsey Tabernacle Baptist Church; Elks Club; Gentrification; Hot Corner; House of Blue Lights; Hurley Funeral Home; Magnolia Street; Milledge Avenue; NAACP; Newtown; Park Ridge Dr; Thankful Baptist Church; Uptown; Urban Renewal

Partial Transcript: Now basically uh- Now redlining was there any of that involved in Blacks losing property?

Segment Synopsis: Stroud states that Black people who were financially independent were able to avoid racist economic policies. He describes UGA's role in buying Black homes and communities and emphasizes that they were responsible for the destruction of the Black Economy. Stroud explains that the Black families that were not financially secure had no choice but to sell their homes and because of this, those neighborhoods became predominantly white.

Keywords: Baxter Street; Lindentown; Linnentown; Parkview; Predatory lending; Prince Avenue; Public Housing; Redlining; Union Baptist Institute; Urban Renewal

Partial Transcript: Well I have one last question for you

Segment Synopsis: Stroud advises people to buy and keep property. He details how people at different stages of their lives should live and emphasizes the importance of education and creating generational wealth.