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AACHM Oral History: Johnnie Rush

Please take a moment to take our Living Oral History Survey and let us know what you learned.

Johnnie Rush was born in 1931 and was the only black person in his class at Ann Arbor High School. He recalls many fond memories of activities with the Second Baptist Church and his family, and he talks about the many challenges for African American businesses as Ann Arbor changed over the years. Mr. Rush is a licensed barber and has run his own barbershop for 55 years.

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AACHM Oral History: Fred Adams

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Fred Adams was born in 1934 and grew up in Ann Arbor. He recalls summers playing in the Huron River, youth activities with the Dunbar Center and Jones School, his work as a paperboy, and some of the black neighborhoods and businesses in the Ann St. area. Mr. Adams worked for Johnson Controls for 41 years and owned his own business as an Industrial Manager.

100 Block of E. Ann St., March 1954

100 Block of E. Ann St., March 1954 image
Year:
1954
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, November 30, 1953
Caption:
WHAT CITY HALL WOULD REPLACE: This is the business block the proposed new city hall would replace if it is erected in the 100 block of E. Ann St. The welter of small stores and apartments on the second and third floors has been labeled a fire hazard by those seeking passage of the city hall proposals on April 5. Out of sight at the right is the new Courthouse, now under construction. Mayor William E. Brown, jr., is leading the move to build a city hall on this site.
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AACHM Oral History: James Anderson, Jr.

Please take a moment to take our Living Oral History Survey and let us know what you learned.

James Anderson, Jr., was born on October 23, 1937 and lived on Miner Street where he attended Mack School. James built a career in real estate and recalls the few blocks in the Mack school area where African Americans could live at that time, and how housing has changed over the years, from segregation through today. He remembers the bond drives during WWII and some of the businesses in town. James also worked on behalf of the JCs to establish Washtenaw Community College and was a trustee for 19 years.

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AACHM Oral History: Shirley Beckley

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Shirley Beckley was born on July 30, 1942. She was raised by her mother on Wall St. and attended Jones School, Mack School, and Bach Schools in Ann Arbor. Shirley started as a housing manager for the Ann Arbor Housing Commission, later becoming housing director in Lansing and Muskegon. She reminisces about working at Jacobson’s, dances at the Dunbar Center, businesses on Fourth Avenue and Ann Streets, and tense racial incidents in the schools. Shirley continues to be deeply involved in social justice issues at the local level.

Hair Force

Hair Force image
Parent Issue
Ann Arbor News, May 17, 1994
Day
17
Month
May
Year
1994
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Hall's Barber Shop, July 1990 Photographer: Conan D. Owen

Hall's Barber Shop, July 1990 image
Year:
1990
Published In:
Ann Arbor News, July 22, 1990
Caption:
U-M student Kenny Chism, a regular customer for two years, gets a haircut from barber J. D. Hall.
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