Old Neighborhood Reunion - A Film by Kameron Donald

Thu, 12/12/2024 - 3:17pm

In this documentary short, filmmaker Kameron Donald lets us spend a day at the 25th Old Neighborhood Reunion, a (mostly) annual gathering of former residents of Ann Arbor's Historically Black Neighborhood.  Attendees eat, dance, and share memories of growing up in a very different Ann Arbor at a very different time.

There Went The Neighborhood - Audio Interview: Donald Simons

Fri, 03/10/2023 - 3:17pm

Donald Simons grew up on Fuller Street and attended Jones School as an elementary student in the 1950s. He recalls being encouraged by his sixth grade teacher Harry Mial and coach Andy Anderson. Mr. Simons went on to teach physical education.

More interviews are available in the There Went The Neighborhood Interview Archive.

AACHM Oral History: Don Simons

Sun, 11/08/2020 - 1:08pm

Donald L. Simons was born in 1943 and he grew up on Fuller Street in Ann Arbor. He attended Jones School, Ann Arbor High, and Eastern Michigan University. He was a starting football halfback and basketball co-captain in high school, and was recognized as athlete of the month. Mr. Simons recalls segregation and several incidents of discrimination in Ann Arbor. He is proud of his family, his work coaching at the Maxey Boys' Training School and Boysville, and co-hosting the annual neighborhood picnic for 25 years.

View historical materials