INTERVIEW WITH VICKIE KILIMANJARO
MOHAMAD:
Rollin'.
INTERVIEWER:
Okay, can you state your name and today's date for the record?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
My name is (Quely) KILIMANJARO:, but everybody know me as Vickie. Let's do that
over. Let's do that over. Can you erase it?INTERVIEWER:
(laughs)
MOHAMAD:
Oh, I'm just going at ... You can just keep rolling. You can go ahead and start
over. I'll just cut it out.INTERVIEWER:
(Laughs)
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs) Okay. My name is Quely (Vic) KILIMANJARO:, and today's date is
November, 14th.INTERVIEWER:
And can you state what you do in your profession for us?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Well, I was a media specialist in the school system for 20, 22 years. And I had
worked in a hospital before that in health education. And uh, um, I worked at the Peace-, Carolina Peacemaker, ever since it- its inception which was in 1967. But I worked here part-time. And after I retired, back in the '90s, I've been here full-time, yeah.INTERVIEWER:
And tell me a bit about where you're from? How was it like growing up there?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Okay. I'm from eastern North Carolina, a little place called Jackson. I was born
in Enfield, North Carolina, and raised in Jackson, North Carolina. And I went to high school in a little place called Garysburg. But that high school has been eliminated and they merged with another school in Gumberry, North Carolina.INTERVIEWER:
What was it like growing up there in Jackson?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Oh, it was, it was way in the ... It was in the country, of course, a little
country town. And, uh, we all, you know, the family got together with maybe the family next- next door and have parties once in a while and enjoy themselves. Workin' on the farms, workin' together, and that sort of thing. And of course, uh, goin' to school, I had to walk. Uh, we had to walk quite a mile, uh, well, m-, over a mile goin' to school until I got of age to get my license and then I drove the school bus.INTERVIEWER:
And how did being raised in this area shape your experiences with race and civil rights?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Repeat that.
INTERVIEWER:
Sure. How did being raised in Jackson shape your experience with race and civil rights?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
I guess by- by reading, uh, newspapers and- and books. Uh- uh, and, uh, at by
... And really changed things when I went away to college. That's when I really saw a difference, you know, meeting different people from different areas. And, uh, when I became an adult, of course, I, uh, got married. But, uh, it was later. I'm, uh, I was 25 when I got married.INTERVIEWER:
And what was the turning point that got you involved in civil rights of doing?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Well- well, I- I hadn't been that much involved. My husband was more involved
than I was. But I w-, I was supporting him, and I did, uh, I marched and I went to different activities. And I would go to places where you would call people, you know, to get on ... And, uh, political times get the people out to vote and that sort of thing.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
And, of course, uh, we- we live, uh, here for a while and then we moved from
here to the University of Iowa, which is in Iowa City. And- and, the university, you know, as a little university town more or less. And we there for a while, and then from there we went to Arkansas, a place called Pine Bluff. And during those years is when the civil rights movement just started more or less. And then later on in- in the early 60s we went back to Greensboro.INTERVIEWER:
And what brought you back to Greensboro?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Uh, my husband, uh, applied ... He was workin' in, at the University of Arkansas
in Pine Bluff, and I was workin' in, uh, in the library. And, uh, he wanted, we wanted to come back to North Carolina because we liked North Carolina so much. So he applied back to North Carolina, NC State University. And that's where he went to, that's where he got his first job, of course, before we went to Iowa.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
And from there, of course, he was workin' on his ... He ... At Iowa, he worked
on his- his doctorate and then we moved- moved to, uh, Arkansas where he finished it at the University of Arkansas in Pine, in, uh, Fayetteville.INTERVIEWER:
And why did you and your husband start the Carolina Peacemaker?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Uh, we- we knew there was a need for a black voice in the community. Because
back in those days, uh, the mainstream newspaper basically would carry, uh- uh, news stories about our people when they were in jail, or when they had stolen something, or they had done something, uh, against the law.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
So, um, my husband had a tendency to write editorials a lot to newspapers, even
when we were in Arkansas. And sometimes his editorials would be printed and other times they wouldn't. So when we got to Greensboro and got settled, he decided that, uh, we need to start our own newspaper.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
And, of course, we visited other newspapers before we did that. And, uh, of
course, uh, (laughs) the editor of the newspaper in- in Durham said, "Don't do it, because it was too much of a headache." But my husband, you know, he said, "But we will, we're gonna try it." Mm-hmm (affirmative).INTERVIEWER:
And was there any backlash from starting the paper at that time?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Oh no- no- no. No backlash at all. Of course, uh, we had to work hard to get
the, get it up and going, and get advertising. And, of course, it, uh, hm, back in the early 90s, uh, advertising was- was really boomin' back then. But then, of course, with electronic media comin' in and everything, it slowed down.INTERVIEWER:
And how have you seen your newspaper positively impact the Greensboro community?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Uh, well we covered, uh, a lot of different activities. As you can see some of
the papers on the wall there, that, uh, there are some of the main activities that were in Greensboro. And, uh, we would cover things that the news and (inaudible 00:07:14), uh, didn't touch back- back in the day. And what ... We have reader, our readership, you know, is pretty- pretty well, uh, established. And if they don't get their papers, uh, at a certain time, the- the phones will start ringin', that, sort of, thing. So it does have a quite a bit of imp- impact.INTERVIEWER:
Have you found the newspaper to create community in- in Greensboro?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
To do what?
INTERVIEWER:
Create community? Um, how has your newspaper brought black community together in Greensboro?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Uh, well I think it has, really. Um, because we- we tell the story that people
wanted to hear many times. And we- we- we cover things that the other people don't cover, the other papers don't cover really, or rather. Uh, now there is something that we're supposed to put in the paper this week, but, uh, we didn't. I guess I won't ... I'm not gonna t-, I'm not gonna tell you what that was really. (laughs) Not on, not on that. (laughs)INTERVIEWER:
(Laughs)
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Uh ...
INTERVIEWER:
And you, um, mentioned that you and your husband went to marches together. And
one of the marches we were showing you earlier in the back was the March-VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
INTERVIEWER:
... on Washington.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
INTERVIEWER:
Um, can you describe what it was like being in the March on Washington?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Oh, it was exciting. It was really exciting. Um, we- we went on a bus, and the
bus left Greensboro, oh, I guess, it was early in the morning, uh, maybe at 2:00 or somethin' like, at 1:00 or 2:00 in the morning. And we rode, uh, to Greens-, uh, to Washington. And when we got there, there were, there were l- lots of buses everywhere you could see. And the people ... I've never seen so many people before. And, uh, it was just, uh, a- a p- pool of people, like.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
And- and p-, of course, durin' the time of the March on Washington, people were
... It was ... They acted like they were a big family. Everybody tryin' to help somebody. If somebody would fall, they would, s-, they were there to help them up. If somebody were eating something and somebody else didn't have it, they would offer them food and that, sort of, thing. So it was, it was a g- great experience.INTERVIEWER:
And what were you thinking and feeling throughout the March on Washington?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Oh I was, I was elated. I was excited, really, uh, because I saw people from all
over the country, really. People, some of 'em I knew and some of 'em I didn't. But we made friends there, you know, while we were there, that we have heard from since then.INTERVIEWER:
And do you think as a country we're moving forward when it comes to civil rights?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
We're movin' forward, but it's not- not like it should be. Uh, I think things
would be better if we could get our people out to vote during election time. That's a critical time, and especially with those people we have now in leadership in Washington and in the State House. Uh, we need m- more Democrats, uh, in there, because the Republicans are not, are not willing to support our people like they should. Our people, I would say people of color, not- not only African-Americans, but any people of color, especially our president.INTERVIEWER:
And what about, specifically, the black community? Do you think we're moving forward?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah I think, I think so. Uh, but slowly. Uh, we need to develop more jobs in
the black community, more jobs for people. And this is one of the reasons why my husband started, wanting to start the newspaper. He said he wanted to give people jobs. And, uh, so that's what we've done ever since, ever since it- it started, almost 54 years ago.INTERVIEWER:
Do you have any tips for ... Sorry, this is a little off topic. But do you have
any tips for black businesses, because, um, I feel like they're not around (inaudible 00:11:48).VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
INTERVIEWER:
You guys have been open for so long.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Oh, well black ... It's- it's hard, it's hard for black businesses, because we-
we can't get the support that our counterpart get. It's- it's, kind of, hard. Um, and many people start ... Maybe, say people want to start a newspaper. We've had a number of newspapers to get started, but they don't, they don't last long.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
We've had several to get started, and have two I knowed in the high point, and-
and they didn't, they didn't last but a few months, because it's ... It takes a lot. It takes a lot of energy, it takes a lot of money, and it takes a lot of everything, really.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Uh, and people have to work together, and you need the support from the, from
the community, and the businesses. And right now it's hard to get, uh, the advertising that we used to get, because of the electronic media. People would say, "Well, I'm doin' my advertising on- on my webpage and all that sort of thing.INTERVIEWER:
And what are some barriers that you believe we're still facing as a country?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Hm, some barriers? Uh, a lack of healthcare, a lack of jobs, a lack of, uh,
community, uh, relations, a lack of people lovin' each other, and workin' toward a common goal.INTERVIEWER:
And how have you seen ... I don't know how to phrase this. 'Cause you talk a lot
about black community and the support that you have gotten as a newspaper. How have you seen Greensboro gain that community? Where do you think that comes from?VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
I've- I've seen what, now? Repeat that please.
INTERVIEWER:
Just, um, one of the reasons that you said that your newspaper has survived so
long is support from community. And how have you seen the Greensboro community grow when it comes to black communities' rights?VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Well, it- it has grown somewhat, uh, because, uh, they have the newspaper to go
to. They come to the newspaper when they really want to- to get the news out, and that- that helps in one way. And another way is that, uh, the churches do- do quite a bit, uh, for the communities I think. You know, of course we put, uh- uh- uh, s- ... A number of the churches subscribe to our paper, and that means that members are reading it, and we need, uh, readership.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Can we pause a minute?
MOHAMAD:
Yeah, sure.
INTERVIEWER:
Sure.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Hey, hi, how y'all do?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
MOHAMAD:
How ya doin'?
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Good. I'm Alfrique.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
That's the editor-
MOHAMAD:
I'm (Mohamad 00:14:46).
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
... that's the editor.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
(inaudible) somebody on the phone. Was that ...
INTERVIEWER:
Yeah.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
How ya doin? Tell me your name?
MOHAMAD:
Moham- Mohamad.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Mohamad. That's ...
MOHAMAD:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
I'm sorry, (inaudible 00:14:46).
INTERVIEWER:
Mm-hmm (affirmative)-
MOHAMAD:
(crosstalk 00:14:46).
INTERVIEWER:
... uh, October.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Oh, okay, how ya doin'?
INTERVIEWER:
I'm good. How are you?
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah, good- good- good. Who's (inaudible 00:14:57)?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
She's-
GERRY::
(GERRY: 00:14:57).
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
GERRY:, okay.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
... she's the mother of October.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Yes.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
When's your birthday?
INTERVIEWER:
Uh, August, actually.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Get out of here.
INTERVIEWER:
(Laughs)
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
August, okay- okay.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
I just knew you were gonna .. October 31st or somethin' (inaudible 00:15:09).
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Okay- okay. All right, I will ... Carry, I guess, carry on. You need anything?
Y'all good? Yeah? You okay? Yeah. Okay. Okay, you're just doin' her today?GERRY::
Yes. She's got on red.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
You want to do her?
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
No, I don't have on the right colors for, to be interviewed today. But by all
means, you can come back and interview me, okay?INTERVIEWER:
(Laughs)
MOHAMAD:
All right, sounds good.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
You can do that, okay?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Hm. (laughs)
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Give me a call. Okay.
INTERVIEWER:
Do you have anything to say?
MOHAMAD:
I actually have (inaudible)
INTERVIEWER:
(Laughs)
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
You show 'em your pictures?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
No, I haven't. I should ... Uh, she's seen those right there, they saw 'em. But
they- they haven't seen the others.AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Okay, well we got a lot in boxes. But, anyway, they ...
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah, we got lots of pictures, lots of pictures-
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
... lots of articles.
MOHAMAD:
Mm-hmm (affirmative). I don't know, I guess we could (inaudible 00:16:05). Uh,
could you tell us about, maybe, an ... Or, like, an event or something that happened within the newspaper that, like, really ... That somethin' that really stuck out to you throughout the, like ... Or, one of the ... Like, some of the things, and then maybe one or two?VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Hm, mm-hmm (affirmative). One or two things that happened that stuck out in the newspaper-
MOHAMAD:
Yeah, I mean-
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
... from the past.
MOHAMAD:
... like-
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah, I was, I was ...
MOHAMAD:
... (crosstalk)
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
I pointed those out on the wall there. One was, uh, the ... What was it? The
boycott they had at, uh, Hallmark? Was it ...AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Kmart.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Kmart- Kmart, years ago. They had a big- big, uh-
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
It was a (inaudible 00:16:47).
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
... boycott there. I think she's goin' to get a paper on it. And another thing
that we had to cover a lot was, uh, the Klan Nazi shootout that was some time ago. Uh, that was a big- big thing. And try to think of another. Uh ...INTERVIEWER:
When you're talking about the shooting, you're talking about the Greensboro massacre?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah, mm-hmm (affirmative), mm-hmm (affirmative), yeah. Hm.
INTERVIEWER:
And what is like covering those big events that happened (inaudible 00:17:32).
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Well I- I didn't cover them. (laughs) Our newspaper covered them. Yeah, we had
people out there coverin'. People- people had, uh, had to be protected, you know, and that sort of thing. So they had to be real careful not to get- get hurt in that. Yeah. No we just ... We- we did the news when they brought it to us, of course. Uh, and, of course, they were employed in our paper.MOHAMAD:
What do you mean they had to be protected? You mean, like ...
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Uh, by the police, mm-hmm (affirmative).
MOHAMAD:
Oh, okay.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
And have to, had to have, uh, badges and that, sort of, thing. Mm-hmm (affirmative).
MOHAMAD:
Okay, so they had to be es-, they had to be escorted.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
MOHAMAD:
Oh, okay.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah.
MOHAMAD:
Was there ...
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Even- even- even during the, during the sit-ins my husband, uh, and his buddy
were arrested. (laughs) And, of course, we have a picture, a big picture of my husband with a group of students at the square downtown. Uh, have you ... You've been to the Civil Rights Center Museum?INTERVIEWER:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Have you seen that big picture on the wall over there? On the wall that you come
in, the side street?MOHAMAD:
Oh, yes.
INTERVIEWER:
Yeah.
MOHAMAD:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
And the person standing in the center, up in the center, above everybody else,
that's my husband. So he was, uh, working with the students back then. Mm-hmm (affirmative). Yup, tryin' to keep them safe and calm.MOHAMAD:
And during, um, really big movements and, um, tragedies like the Greensboro
massacre, what was it like being in Greensboro at that time? The community feel-VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
MOHAMAD:
... (inaudible 00:19:15).
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
I don't, I don't ... Uh, the community was somewhat, uh, I guess upset not
knowin' what might happen next.INTERVIEWER:
Hm.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
And then we had a reporter later on who worked at the Peacemaker here. He got to
be a, uh, I guess a- (laughs) a- a person that the Klan people would trust. And he would even get stories that other newspapers ... They wouldn't give to other newspapers, they would give 'em to us, about what was goin' on, you know.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
What else Alfrique?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs) He will come back and get you.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Okay.
MOHAMAD:
Okay.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
You could put on my sweater. They can do you today. (laughs)
MOHAMAD:
Do you have anything else?
INTERVIEWER:
Yeah, I just ... My last question would just be, looking back on everything that
you've done, not just the newspaper, but also the marches and- and working at the different, um ... Just ever- everything you've done (inaudible) so long. What do you think stands out the most to you for why you do what you do? Why you do civil rights.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Oh, we do civil rights, and we do things that we feel that will enhance people
in the community, and make a little, livin' better for them.AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Okay.
MOHAMAD:
You have anything you want us to ask?
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Let's see, 'kay. You covered King comin' to Greensboro at Bennett College? Did
you cover that?INTERVIEWER:
Um ...
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
'Cause she was there. I just ...
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
No, we didn't cover that.
INTERVIEWER:
(Laughs)
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Dang-
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
... that's the beginning. That's the impetus for starting-
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
... the newspaper.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah.
INTERVIEWER:
Hm.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Uh, it was in 1958, and she can tell you all about that. And then a few years
later they were at the March on Washington. I don't know if she covered that.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah, we did the March on Washington.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Okay, so you didn't tell 'em about (inaudible 00:21:22). Okay-
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
... okay.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Well, so you have to talk about ...
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
You gonna edit it?
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
You gonna edit it, right?
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah.
MOHAMAD:
Oh yeah.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah-
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Okay.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
... yeah.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Okay, uh ...
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Say that ... S- start out talkin' about how ... I guess, yeah, do your thing.
You know.INTERVIEWER:
(Laughs)
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
That- that, you know.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Wh- when Martin Luther King was supposed to come to Greensboro, uh, people had a
time tryin' to find a place for him to- to speak. And, of course, the ... He couldn't, he couldn't speak in the s-, any- anywhere in the school system, and he couldn't speak anywhere, at one of the- the state supported universities or colleges. So, uh, Dr. (Playatt) at Bennett College opened the doors there, and he spoke at Bennett College. And that evening the auditorium was packed, and people were in there overflowin' onto the people outside, and he made a wonderful talk.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
And after that speech, uh, one of the members of- of men who worked with the
civil rights somewhat, Dr. Edmonds invited him over to his home, and that's where, uh, my husband and a number of other community leaders and their wives met over there. And Dr. King continued to talk and- and he s-, he- he was sitting in front of me on the fireplace, and I was sitting on the, a couch. And he jumped up and he said, "My God, you look just like my wife." And that was when I was wearin' my hair down and long, you know.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Uh, anyway, and he talked to my husband, and my husband, uh, said to him, uh,
asked him if he were afraid that he was gonna c- cause people to get killed by- by his nonviolent, uh- uh, method. And, uh, h-, he- he- he answered him, "No, uh, we just have to keep pushin'," or something to that effect.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
So, uh ... And then that's when my husband decided that he was gonna put on the
front page of this pa- paper, Americans must learn to live together as brothers, less we all die together as fools. So that was one of Martin- Martin Luther King's quotes.INTERVIEWER:
And what was that like meeting Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Oh it was, it was marvelous, it was great. We ... Yeah, we felt really good
bein' by, bein' with a- a- a real leader, you know, who had gone through a whole lot and he was still fighting for the- the rights of people.MOHAMAD:
Any other ...
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
What year was that?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
1958.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
I think you're good.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Hm?
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
I don't know what else you got, but you can always come back. (laughs)
INTERVIEWER:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
MOHAMAD:
Okay.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
I don't know what else she got. I'm sorry I was late. I was ...
MOHAMAD:
Oh, no, that's all good.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah, okay.
MOHAMAD:
Yeah, I mean ...
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
He's gonna, he's gonna edit it down.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
He'll- he'll have about 60 seconds.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
MOHAMAD:
(Laughs)
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
MOHAMAD:
Um-
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Okay.
MOHAMAD:
... okay. Well I think we'll ...
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Did you- you tell what your role was-
INTERVIEWER:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
... here? What you guys, you know, that you were the-
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Mm-mm (negative).
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
... the- the bookkeeper forever and-
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
... you still keep the wheels on the bus?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
MOHAMAD:
(Laughs)
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Make sure we don't go overboard.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
I keep, I keep the, I keep the- the boat above the water. I sell the advertising
and I- I was, uh ... I do a little bit of everything, from selling advertisin', to managin', to cleanin' the bathrooms. And I've been doin' it, uh, 53 years in a row. It's a long time, and- and none of you that old yet. (laughs)MOHAMAD:
Nope. (laughs)
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah. Uh, even when I worked in the school system, I worked, uh, first in Dudley
f- full-time. But I had worked at Lincoln and David Jones before that, part-time each school. And then I was ... I went to work at the school up here, McKeever school, yeah. And that was later, much later. I had ... And there was exceptional children.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
And my principal knew, he knew that I worked at the Peacemaker. So he would come
in and tell me, he said ... I would say, uh, "I'm gonna have to leave a few minutes early to ..." He said, "Go do whatever you want to do. I know you're doing your job, and you're doing a great job. So I don't any problem. Go do whatever you want to do." And that- that's what I did.VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
S- ... And people from the office would come down sometimes if they needed
something, they'd come down and come up the steps and get it. Whatever I had, they needed. So it wasn't hard.MOHAMAD:
Hm.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
For you.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
MOHAMAD:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
It hasn't too hard for me, not bein' anyhow. Hm.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Okay, anything else?
MOHAMAD:
Uh, (inaudible 00:26:54).
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
So you ... Yeah, have you covered (inaudible) and all of that?
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Yeah I did that.
MOHAMAD:
We're good, no.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Oh, okay, good.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Uh-huh (affirmative).
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
Okay, we good.
MOHAMAD:
Yeah.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
I really missed everything.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Hm-
MOHAMAD:
Yeah. (laughs)
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
... mm-hmm (affirmative).
MOHAMAD:
Yeah. Um, I think we'll wrap it up there then.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Mm-hmm (affirmative).
MOHAMAD:
Okay. Uh, thank you for doin' this.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Oh you're welcome, you're welcome.
MOHAMAD:
Yeah, small applause, small applause.
AFRIQUE KILIMANJARO:
(Laughs)
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
Not a lot. (laughs)
MOHAMAD:
(Laughs)
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
It hasn't been that good now.
VICKIE KILIMANJARO:
(inaudible 00:27:24). (laughs)
MOHAMAD:
(Laughs) Appreciate it, all right.
This transcript was exported on Sep 30, 2020 - view latest version here.
Phyllis Kiliminjaro (Completed 03/22/20)
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