Oral Histories

Minister Robert Campbell: We did blueprints. It was easy to do the sketches first, because you could say well, this is what we got, do we want the storage room a little bit bigger? So, it gave people the opportunity to change their minds. Do you want the front and back door to be centered, or do you…

Robert Campbell: Going back to constructing some of the houses. Uncle Leo and Uncle Handy and Uncle Bill taught us how to sling bricks. George Barrett: Ok. RC: Sling bricks. Sometimes you could take a flat board, almost like a paddle, you could throw the bricks up and somebody could catch them and…

Minister Robert Campbell: Well, looking at the texture of the craftsmanship of the house you can see, as I said, you know, Handy’s signature and Bill’s signature is that it’s good. I mean, they wasn’t boastful but, it had to be something that not only they were proud of, but the person who hired…

Adwoa Asare: Could you just tell us a little bit about who you are and what you’re involved in with the community? Minister Robert Campbell: Yes. I’m Minister Robert Campbell. I was ordained at Faith Tabernacle in the ’80s. I am the president of the Roger-Eubanks Neighborhood Association, co-chair…

Minister Robert Campbell: The Ministerial Alliance in Chapel Hill and Carrboro have been very instrumental. Through it, the foundation of the Civil Rights Movement was really established. And under the mentoring of Dr. J. R. Manley and Rev. Foushee that was at St. Joseph Church during this time, and…

Minister Robert Campbell: “I miss him teaching us how to play the piano…My grandfather, he could blow, he could blow. He was our inspiration. Sometimes, sitting around telling the tales about growing up and the things he had to endure. I think it just made him a more persistent and stronger person.…