WANDA DEMPSEY
Interview Info
Date of Interview: 5-18-24
Interview Location: Wanda’s home in Raleigh
Narrator(s): Wanda Dempsey
Interviewer(s): Stephen Black, Haley Kinsler, Asha Thurman
Background on Interview:
Dempsey recalls her time growing up in Fourth Ward, memories about her community, and her hopes for the oral history project and the neighborhood.
Explore Clips from this Interview
A Joyous Time
“It was very educational. We had fun too, but we learned, and the teachers there were really respectful to us and wanted us to learn, so we didn’t have a problem learning and growing in the school.”
Wanda Dempsey
Attending Washington School
“It was love. I had neighbors that were like family to us.”
Wanda Dempsey
Passing On The History
“It’s something to be preserved, and I’m hoping my grandchildren would catch on and keep the pictures when I’m gone, that they can show their children, and my children can show their children, and keep it going because it’s educational.”
Wanda Dempsey
“It Still Hurts Today”
“We were scattered. We got scattered. We weren’t near the closeness that we had back then. And it hurts still today. Because you wondered, where’s your family, you know? Where are you, your next door neighbors?”
Wanda Dempsey