Documenting the African-American Presence in San Diego County

Oral history methodology plays a critical role in preserving those parts of the past ignored in history's standard documentation. "Documenting the African-American Presence in San Diego County" seeks to preserve the experiences of African-American residents before their history is lost forever.

The San Diego State University Library invites you to listen to the lived history in the stories of African-American Pioneers in San Diego.

 
Edward Fletcher

Edward S. Fletcher

Colonel, U.S. Marines Corps (Ret.), Educator, Executive

Edward S. Fletcher retired as San Diego City Schools Director of Health Services in 1991, following a career of thirty-six years as a public schools educator. He is a native San Diegan and a graduate of San Diego City College and San Diego State. He also earned his Master's Degree at San Diego State.  His extra-curricular activities included serving as Men Students President: Associated Student Body President; and being selected as an all-conference football player.

Dr. Robert L. and Mrs. Ardelle M. Matthews

Dr. Robert L. and Mrs. Ardelle M. Matthews

Educators, Activists

Ardelle and Robert (Bob) Matthews experienced a long and distinguished career in the education field as teachers and administrators (respectively). They continue to make significant contributions to the San Diego African American community with their services to many organizations, including the Jackie Robinson YMCA Board, RADY Children's Hospital Auxiliary and Kids New Day, Jacobs Center Committee of Investments, Jack and Jill, Common Ground Theatre, Women Inc., Tema Ghana Sister City, and the Elementary Institute of Science. Bob and Ardelle have respectively chaired the San Diego Annual Martin Luther King, Jr. Parade and the MLK, Jr. King and Queen pageant.

Willie O'Ree

Willie O'Ree

National Hockey League Player, Executive

Mr. O'Ree was born in Fredericton, New Brunswick (Canada). Mr. O'Ree became the first Black player in the National Hockey League on January 19, 1958 playing for the Boston Bruins against the Montreal Canadians. Mr. O'Ree played seven seasons for the San Diego Gulls. After his professional career, he worked as the Director of Youth Development and Hockey Ambassador for the National Hockey League. He traveled across North America introducing young boys and girls, many from disadvantaged neighborhoods to the sport of hockey.

Dr. Carrel Reavis

Dr. Carrel Reavis

Gunnery Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), Montford Point Marine

Among the first 20,000 African American men who enlisted in the Marines, Dr. Reavis was sent to the segregated Montford Point Camp located in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. After training, he served in World War II, the Korean War, and Vietnam. Retiring after 21 years in the Corps, he and his family settled in San Diego, where he operated a barbershop and sold real estate for 37 years. In 2012, he was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the nation's highest civilian honor, "for outstanding perseverance and courage that inspired social change in the Marine Corps."

Dr. Dorothy L.W. Smith

Dr. Dorothy L.W. Smith

Educator, Community Activist

As the first African American woman elected to political office in San Diego's history, Dr. Smith served first as a member and then twice as president of the San Diego Unified School District from 1981-1988. During her tenure, she led policy reform efforts to correct the causes of academic deficiencies among students to help the district achieve better equity in education for students of all racial and cultural backgrounds.  She also taught at San Diego State University (SDSU) in the Department of Rhetoric and Writing, was founding director of SDSU's Aim to Teach Program, and served as a Lecturer in the SDSU Teach Education Program.  Dr. Smith was the 2017 SDSU Library & Information Access Monty Award recipient.

Cecil H. Steppe

Cecil H. Steppe

Community Activist, Executive

Mr. Steppe has brought together San Diego County departments, schools, city agencies, and private sector organizations to share in the responsibility of providing social and health services to families. He served as Chief Probation Officer for the County of San Diego, Director of the Department of Social Services, and Director of Community Initiatives, Health, and Human Services Agency.  A strong advocate for welfare reform, Mr. Steppe supported vigorous family-centered practice, program integrity, and the need to strengthen employment and training programs to move welfare recipients off of the Program and into self-sufficiency. Mr. Steppe also served as the President and CEO of the San Diego Urban League.

Dr. Carrol Waymon

Dr. Carrol Waymon

Author, Educator, Civil Rights Leader

Appointed head of San Diego's first human relations agency, Dr. Carrol Waymon, was charged with educating the public about racial tension and identifying racial injustice through community dialogue. Dr. Waymon worked tirelessly to achieve equality for all San Diegans.  A retired educator, he is one of the pioneers in establishing what is now known as the Africana Studies department at San Diego State University (SDSU).