Kennedy, Bettie

Interview 170b : In this several day interview with R.L. Kuykendall, Rev. Bettie Kennedy reminisces about growing up as an African American girl in Lufkin, TX. She tells about her ancestor's former slaves who lived throughout East Texas and her father, Will Engram, a house builder and a leader in Lufkin's African American community. She talks about growing up in a diverse neighborhood, church, her memories of racism within the community, moving to California for a year, and the effect of World War II. Rev. Kennedy talks about segregation, education, racism, and the problems and challenges to the African American community in East Texas. She also recites some of her original poetry.