"Crossing Fences” is a Heinz Endowments-supported, multimedia project produced by SLB Radio Productions that uses recorded conversations to connect generations of African American boys, youth and men within different communities in the Pittsburgh region. The program provides participating youth with opportunities to learn not only rich history, but also interviewing techniques, audio editing and other skills that they can use to support success in school and beyond. A first-of-its-kind program in Allegheny County, “Crossing Fences” combines cutting-edge audio technology with intergenerational communication, historical research and youth media arts. These oral histories can be heard here and also are archived in booklets, CDs and audio recordings are available at Neighborhood Voices.
Braddock Voices
“Braddock Voices” features the first-person reflections of 10 men collected during conversations with 10 local youths. Project activities were conducted in collaboration with Braddock Carnegie Library and Braddock Youth Project. (View the Braddock Voices full book.)
Lee Davis - interview by Chris Mullen & Abraham Richardson
Reflection by Abraham Richardson & Chris Mullen on interviewing Lee Davis
Guy Collins - interview by Darnell Caldwell, Angelo Burgher & Darwin Spencer
Reflection by Darwin Spencer, Darnell Caldwell & Angelo Burgher on interviewing Guy Collins
Chef Kevin McGuire, Sr. - interview by Chris Mullen & Ryan Moriarty
Reflection by Ryan Moriarty & Chris Mullen on interviewing Chef Kevin McGuire, Sr.
Minister James Milton - interview by Jawuan Betton & Abraham Richardson
Reflection by Jawuan Betton & Abraham Richardson on interviewing Minister James Milton
Coach Rob Williams - interview by Darwin Spencer & Andre Avent-Taylor
Reflection by Andre Avent-Taylor & Darwin Spencer on interviewing Coach Rob Williams
Clarence L. Gunter, Jr. - interview by Andre Avent-Taylor, Angelo Burgher & Ryan Moriarty
Reflection by Andre Avent-Taylor, Angelo Burgher & Ryan Moriarty on interviewing Clarence L. Gunter, Jr.
Robert K. Parker - interview by Andrew Burgher & DaMon Radwanski
Reflection by Andrew Burgher & DaMon Radwanski on interviewing Robert K. Parker
Rev. Sheldon Stoudemire - interview by Darwin Spencer & Angelo Burgher
Reflection by Angelo Burgher & Darwin Spencer on interviewing Rev. Sheldon Stoudemire
Tyrone Smith - interview by Andrew Burgher & DaMon Radwanski
Reflection by Andrew Burgher & DaMon Radwanski on interviewing Tyrone Smith
Ramon Riley -interview by Darnell Caldwell, Abraham Richardson & Andrew Burgher
Reflection by Andrew Burgher, Abraham Richardson & Darnell Caldwell on interviewing Ramon Riley
Homestead Voices
As part of “Homestead Voices,” nine men talked about their lives with 11 youths in the “Crossing Fences” program. Project activities were supported by Best of the Batch, a community nonprofit founded by former Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Charlie Batch, above, and the Homestead Youth Project. (View the Homestead Voices full book.)
Rev. Donald P. Turner - interview by Darnel Youngblood & Alon Rutledge
Reflection by Alon Rutledge & Darnel Youngblood on interviewing Rev. Donald P. Turner
Charlie Batch - interview by Zion Thomas, Daeshawn Washington & George Grishom
Reflection by Daeshawn Washington, George Grishom & Zion Thomas on interviewing Charlie Batch
John M. Burwell - interview by Milligan Garth, Tyler Thomas & Tyreik Smith
Reflection by Tyler Thomas, Milligan Garth & Tyreik Smith on interviewing John M. Burwell
Rev. Bobby James Smith - interview by Darnel Youngblood, Demon Ross & Alon Rutledge
Reflection by Alon Rutledge, Darnel Youngblood & Demon Ross on interviewing Rev. Bobby James Smith
Sanford-Mark Barnes - interview by Milligan Garth & Tyler Thomas
Reflection by Milligan Garth & Tyler Thomas on interviewing Sanford-Mark Barnes
Christopher “Mr. Chris” Smith - interview by Tyler Hill, Codie Garth & Demon Ross
Reflection by Codie Garth, Demon Ross & Tyler Hill on interviewing Christopher “Mr. Chris” Smith
Dana Hodge, II - interview by Tyler Hill & Codie Garth
Reflection by Codie Garth & Tyler Hill on interviewing Dana Hodge, II
Wes Lyons - interview by Daeshawn Washington & George Grishom
Reflection by Daeshawn Washington & George Grishom on interviewing Wes Lyons
Daryl Milliner - interview by Zion Thomas & Tyreik Smith
Reflection by Tyreik Smith & Zion Thomas on interviewing Daryl Milliner
Sheraden Voices
Eleven men participated in “Sheraden Voices” and were interviewed by 12 “Crossing Fences” participants. H.O.P.E. for Tomorrow at Trinity AME Zion Church was the community partner for project activities in that neighborhood. (View the Sheraden Voices full book.)
Rev. Darnell Drewery - interview by Spencer Jackson & Dorrian Butler
Reflection by Dorrian Butler & Spencer Jackson on interviewing Rev. Darnell Drewery
Sharif “Mr. Z” Zyhier - interview by Josef Burch & Gregory Lowe
Reflection by Gregory Lowe & Josef Burch on interviewing Sharif “Mr. Z” Zyhier
Pastor Joseph D. Lewis - interview by Timmy Kihonia & Spencer Jackson
Reflection by Spencer Jackson & Timmy Kihonia Pastor Joseph D. Lewis
Archie J. Kimbrough, III - interview by Shaun Beasley & Dorrian Butler
Reflection by Dorrian Butler & Shaun Beasley on interviewing Archie J. Kimbrough, III
Lenny L. Macklin, Sr. - interview by Ben Beyer, Devontay Duell & Alonzo Kidd
Reflection by Ben Beyer, Alonzo Kidd & Devontay Duell on interviewing Lenny L. Macklin, Sr.
Issac Franklin - interview by Kevin Faty, Ben Beyer & Devontay Duell
Reflection by Ben Beyer, Devontay Duell & Kevin Faty on interviewing Issac Franklin
Danny Williams - interview by Spencer Jackson, Christian Beyer & Alonzo Kidd
Reflection by Alonzo Kidd, Christian Beyer & Spencer Jackson on interviewing Danny Williams
Marvin P. Wallace - interview by Christian Beyer, Alonzo Kidd & Josef Burch
Reflection by Christian Beyer, Alonzo Kidd & Josef Burch on interviewing Marvin P. Wallace
Calvin “Coach Cal” Murphy - interview by Gregory Lowe & Christian Beyer
Reflection by Gregory Lowe & Christian Beyer on interviewing Calvin “Coach Cal” Murphy
Pastor Vince Moye - interview by Shaun Beasley & Samuel Jere
Reflection by Samuel Jere & Shaun Beasley on interviewing Pastor Vince Moye
Rafael “2R.T.” Tejada - interview by Kevin Faty, Timmy Kihonia, Samuel Jere, Shaun Beasley & Dorrian Butler
Reflection by Timmy Kihonia, Samuel Jere, Shaun Beasley, Kevin Faty & Dorrian Butler on interviewing Rafael “2R.T.” Tejada