Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1926-2010

Franklin, Solomon

Charlotte, North Carolina

J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

2007-03-21

1 audio file (34:14) : digital, MP3

sound recording-nonmusical

spoken word

eng

James Polk was an 81-year-old man at the time of interview, which took place in his home in Charlotte, North Carolina. He was born in Charlotte in 1926. He was educated at Clear Creek High School and Johnson C. Smith University and was employed as a funeral director with Grier Funeral Service and as a management consultant.

James Polk recounts fond memories of living in the Grier Heights neighborhood of Charlotte, North Carolina and visiting the nearby Brooklyn neighborhood, also known as Second Ward, with a focus on local businesses. He discusses working for his uncle at Grier Funeral Service, the company's history, and its significance in the African American community in Charlotte. Other topics include attending segregated schools and white and black entrepreneurs in Brooklyn. Mr. Polk concludes by discussing urban renewal and how it forced Grier Funeral Service to relocate to the west side of Charlotte.

MP3 access copy created on ingest from WAV preservation master. Interview transferred from compact disc with Exact Audio Copy.

Interview originally divided on CD into seven tracks. There are brief pauses in the recording between the tracks which interrupt the flow of conversation.

Undertakers and undertaking
Executives

Polk, James K. (James Knox), 1926-2010

Grier Funeral Service (Charlotte, N.C.)

African Americans--Segregation
African American business enterprises
Funeral homes
City and town life
African American neighborhoods
African American families
Urban renewal

North Carolina--Charlotte
North Carolina--Charlotte--Grier Heights
North Carolina--Charlotte--Brooklyn
North Carolina--Charlotte--Second Ward

Interviews
Oral histories

1930-2010

Student project on Second Ward

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audio/mpeg

James K. Polk oral history interview 1, 2004 March 27, J. Murrey Atkins Library Special Collections and University Archives, University of North Carolina at Charlotte

OH-PO0557

http://hdl.handle.net/20.500.13093/uncc:2589