Commissioned by the Edwardsville Public Library in association with the EHS Broadcasting Club, a selection of AJC students each researched and interviewed a woman, more specifically a former teacher, who made a significant impact on District 7. I had the pleasure of doing intense research into the life of Jenece Brown, one of the first Black teachers to teach at a newly-integrated school in D7, before sitting down with her for an hour-long interview while a broadcasting student recorded us. What you see above is the edited oral history of her career, which aired for a live audience at the library in spring 2024.

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Unexpectedly, this is one of my greatest highlights from high school journalism. Mrs. Brown is simultaneously one of the most powerful and vulnerable women I've ever encountered. The oral history is focused on her career, so you'll be able to see the calm strength she exudes as she discusses her work. But what broadcasting edited out of this video was the extensive discussion we had about her deceased husband, a beloved member of the community and the first Black teacher to teach at EHS. Mrs. Brown cared for him until he died of cancer with steadfast commitment, and she carried on his legacy in her community service for years after his death.

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I was apprehensive to take on the task of interviewing Mrs. Brown. I had never been recorded in an interview before, and I was asking questions about her place in a movement I wasn't alive to see. The project was uncharted territory for me because of both its medium and its multi-generational scope, but I think it was successful. I talked to an outstanding woman, and I got to be part of helping others hear her story.

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