Alice B. Davis Interviewed by Blue Johnson and Allison Kincaid, 2023
This oral history is an interview with Alice B. Davis conducted by Blue Johnson and Allison Kincaid for the Lucy F. Simms School Oral History Project. Leah and Ali were students in Melissa Dean and Tim Van Schaick’s African American history course at Turner Ashby High School. The interview was conducted on February 28, 2023, at the Simms Center.
Alice B. Davis attended the Simms School for the entirety of her K-12 schooling. In this oral history, Alice shared her memories about her time at Simms, recalling the strong sense of community, her experiences and travels as a cheerleader, and the teachers that had an impact on her. She reflects on the importance of preserving the community’s memories of integration, the school’s closure, and its transformation into a community center. Davis also talks about the cherished, lifelong friendships that she made during her time at the Simms school.
Interview and Transcript
Click here to download a copy of the transcript.
The transcript presented here has undergone a rigorous review and editing process undertaken by Iliana Cosme-Brooks andSeán McCarthy to ensure its accuracy and authenticity. After the completion of the oral history interview, we provided Mrs. Davis with the opportunity to review the initial transcript and offer feedback, corrections, and additional insights. This collaborative effort between Mrs. Davis and our team at James Madison University has resulted in a final version that faithfully reflects the participant's own words and recollections.