Legacies Project Oral History: Ernest Holland
Wed, 01/15/2020 - 9:55am
Ernest Holland was born in 1934 and grew up in a mixed neighborhood in South Dayton, Ohio. After his mother’s death when he was 3, he was raised by his grandparents. His grandfather was a Baptist preacher, and his grandmother ran the household. Holland graduated from Miami University with a degree in biology. After serving in the U.S. Navy for a few years, he taught science at Western High School in Detroit for the rest of his career. Holland passed away on December 18, 2019.
Ernest Holland was interviewed by students from Skyline High School in Ann Arbor in 2010 as part of the Legacies Project.
Pride and Prejudice: Black Memorabilia Is Collectible--And Controversial

Chester Gray, Ann Arbor Resident & Former Baseball Player, September 21, 1994

Ann Arbor News, September 21, 1994
Caption
Chester Gray, of Ann Arbor, spent six years playing in the Negro baseball league, including a stint with the Kansas City Monarchs.
Melvin Duncan's Mementos Of His Days As A Baseball Player, July 8, 1995

Ann Arbor News, July 8, 1995
Caption
Ex-Negro League player Melvin Duncan keeps mementos of his days as a pro ballplayer in his Ypsilanti home.
Melvin Duncan, left, & Chester Gray Recall Days As Players In The Negro Baseball League, July 8, 1995

Ann Arbor News, July 8, 1995
Caption
Melvin Duncan (left), and Chester Gray of Ypsilanti, shown on Duncan's front steps, both played for the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro League in the 1940s. 'We just really enjoyed ourselves being there,' Duncan says.
Chester Gray, Ann Arbor Resident & Former Baseball Player, September 21, 1994

Ann Arbor News, September 21, 1994
Caption
Chester Gray, of Ann Arbor, spent six years playing in the Negro baseball league, including a stint with the Kansas City Monarchs.
Major League, Too

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AACHM Oral History: Joetta Mial
Mon, 07/23/2018 - 3:52pm
Joetta Mial was born in 1931 in Jackson, Michigan, and later moved to Ann Arbor. She earned her Ph.D. at the University of Michigan and spent her career as an educator in the Ann Arbor Public Schools. In 1987, Joetta became principal of Huron High School after serving as a teacher, administrator, counselor, and class principal at Huron and Pioneer High Schools.
Feeling Unceremonial

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AACHM Oral History: Janice Thompson
Sat, 04/15/2017 - 1:45pm
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Janice Thompson was born in 1939 and grew up in Ypsilanti. She reminisces about visits from her Detroit relatives to her home in the "country," some of the prejudice she faced during her school years, and pranks she played with friends in Ypsilanti neighborhoods. Ms. Thompson received a master's degree in social work, working for a time at the Veteran's Administration hospital and running programs for public housing children.