Perez talked about his life as a migrant worker and working in a cannery. Supporting the walkouts in Uvalde was his first political march. He also participated in voter registration drives at Texas A&I. Mr. Perez also discusses his time working with the La Raza Unida Party in Crystal City.

Evaristo and Benita Albarado talked about the events surrounding the massacre at El Porvenir Ranch (Presidio County) in 1918, when a group of soldiers and Texas Rangers rounded up and shot Mexican American men who lived and worked at Porvenir. The father of Ms. Benita Albarado was a witness of the events, but did not talk about them until late in his life; his testimony motivated the Albarados to research and document the events surrounding the massacre. In addition to sharing the fruits of their efforts to show what really happened at Porvenir, the Albarados talked about growing up in segregated towns in west Texas (Benita Albarado is from Big Spring, while Evaristo Albarado was born and raised in Uvalde). They also talked about the importance of preserving the history of violence along the border, and discussed their collaboration with scholars in the production of an exhibit at the Bullock museum in Austin.

Cresencia Reyes Mendeke ("Chris") was born in the late 20s and raised in Uvalde during the Great Depression. In her interview, she talked about the strict segregation in the town during those years. She attended a "Mexican school" for her early education, and recalled the neglect and disinterest in educating the Mexican American children. She also talked about her father's role as a benefactor in their neighborhood, and of his relationship with a prominent family of Anglo business owners. After finishing school and working in a local Penney's store for some time, Mendeke married and moved around, as she and her husband looked for opportunities in and out of Uvalde. Eventually, they settled in the Los Angeles area, and found professional work. Later, they became licensed realtors and opened their own office in Buena Park. After several decades, the Mendekes retired and moved back to Uvalde in the eighties, and Chris was determined to get involved in local affairs. She joined the local Democratic party and helped run local campaigns; she was also a ranking member of the Mexican American Democrats (later the Tejano Democrats). In recent years, Mendeke spearheaded the restoration and marking of the Nicolas Street School, the …

Mario spoke about growing up in La Pryor, Texas. He remembered his dad working in the Blewett mines near Uvalde; he talks a bit about the culture there because it was a company town. He talked about the discrimination his father felt in the mines and how his dad organized for union representation in the mine. His family moved to Uvalde in the 1950s. He talked about the segregated schooling in Uvalde--separate schools for ethnic Mexicans and African Americans. He talked about the reprimands he would receive for speaking Spanish in school. He also spoke about the importance of education to his family. Cruz left Uvalde for San Antonio to pursue a nursing degree/career but he retired in Uvalde later in life.

Rogelio talks about growing up in Uvalde and the amount of discrimination he faced, especially as a young man playing football. He talks about Uvalde's local economy of sheep/goat sheering.

Gilberto Torres grew up around Uvalde and the Winter Garden area. He recalled different instances of discrimination against people of Mexican descent, particular in school settings. Torres had a long career in the military and a prolonged tenure in the Uvalde County Commissioner's Court. He reminisced about his contentious relationship with other members of the court, and the sometimes heated exchanges between them.

Mrs. Wiltz grew up in the community of Tamina which was founded as a Freedmen's Settlement in the late 1800s. She described some history, race relations, gentrification, infrastructure inequality and changes over time in Tamina. Wiltz currently runs multiple community organizations that provide services to residents in Tamina and the surrounding areas. Wiltz runs a community center in Tamina and the non-profit organization Children's Books on Wheels.

Mr. Morales started the first newspaper for Latinas/os in Fort Bend County in 1975. He spent a lot of his life in Corpus Christie, but moved to Houston and then Rosenberg. He mentioned labor unions, experiencing discrimination, and the transitioning of neighborhoods from predominantly White with some Latinas/os to more people of color.

Torres provides background information on himself and his family in Richmond/Fort Bend county, he talked about generational changes and continuities in terms of education, speaking Spanish/biligual education in schools, and his runs for elected offices In Fort Bend County.

Joe Vera discusses his family's Tejano background, his time in the Navy, and his work with the Hispanic community in the region.

Randle described growing up in rural Texas, segregation, integration, and the challenges of growing up working class and black, as well as the ways in which he overcame the odds to become a prominent and educated official in the region.

Grady Prestage is the Democratic Precinct 2 representative on the Fort Bend County Commissioners Court in Texas. He was elected in 1990, and his current term extends through 2022. In his interview, he described his early childhood in Louisiana, moving to Texas to work in the oil industry, and his decision to run for office, as well as the challenges of that office.

Ms. Gonzales described her early childhood, learning about her culture from her grandmother, her journey to college, and her work as a social worker helping disadvantaged communities.

Mr. Wilkerson was born in Montgomery, Texas. He attended segregated schools in Montgomery and remained active in the area. In his interview, Mr. Wilkerson described how segregation operated in Montgomery, the state of education for African-American children, his family's history in the area, and his work in volunteering, community outreach, and as a member of the city council.

Lupe Uresti discussed her experiences in a segregated Rosenberg and racially tense schooling, working for her father's business, her public service as a council member and then the first Mexican-American female mayor of Rosenberg, and finally her work for public housing services.

Described his early childhood in a segregated Liberty, TX, his early involvement with environmental issues, his trajectory to becoming an environmental lawyer, and finally, his work as a Democratic elected official.

Described her family's acquisition of land from former slaveowners, discrimination and segregation, political activism, and community work.

Huff York described her rural upbringing, her experience in the civil rights struggle locally, and the changes that have happened in the region since her childhood.

Dora Olivo is a Democratic former member of the Texas House of Representatives. In her interview, she described her education, early work, and her career as a teacher, lawyer, elected representative, and full time activist.

Mr. Moore was the first Black elected official in Jefferson county (County Commissioner, 1986) and was involved in various aspects of pressuring the city for Black civil rights. He shared what he remembered about the 1943 race riot in Beaumont, mentioned class divisions within the segregated Black communities in Beaumont, discussed the significance of unions for workplace advancement, was critical to Black representation on schools boards/in PTAs, and helped form the South Park Voters League to initially influence school board elections and, later, Black voter enfranchisement.

Ms. Harris described her early childhood in rural Texas, her parents' shielding her and her siblings from racism, and her involvement in the community since the 1950s.

Vernice Moore discussed her early life in a segregated Port Arthur, her parents' struggles (social and economic), and her fight against segregation. Hosea Gabriel discussed his lifetime of work to end segregation, to bring about social and economic change to his hometown, and to maintain his family's dignity amid severe obstacles.

Ruby Rodgers Dorsey discussed growing up in rural Kendleton when it was an all-black community, her education, her views on what was gained and lost by integration, and her work as a teacher and school board member.

Mr. Mata grew up in Wharton and Houston and, although most of his knowledge was based on his activism in Houston, he was part of cases on the outskirts as a board member of LULAC, an EEOC officer, and while taking part of organizational leadership. He also had some information on cases like Hernandez v. Texas, police-civil coalitions, Black-Brown coalitions, and activism in Houston.