Black Camden Oral History Project

The Black Camden Oral History Project aims to preserve the history of African American life and activism in Camden, New Jersey. We seek to record the narratives of African Americans with a story to tell about:

  • the Black student protest movement at Rutgers University–Camden and other local educational institutions
  • Civil Rights and Black Power–era activism and community organizing
  • Black business, entrepreneurship, and cooperative endeavors
  • Black social life and cultural institutions in Camden

The interviews are conducted by professor Kendra Boyd in collaboration with researchers at the Scarlet and Black Research Center and the Rutgers Oral History Archives. Learn more about the interviewers.

Check out our Frequently Asked Questions page to learn more about the project and how to participate.

Read about the Black Camden Oral History Project in Rutgers Alumni News and in the Rutgers Magazine.

Help us preserve Camden history!

We are currently recruiting participants for oral history interviews. We want to record your story!

Contact us today to schedule an interview date or to find out more information.

Don’t live in New Jersey anymore?

No problem! We are conducting interviews virtually using Zoom and can connect with you anywhere in the world.

For your family

You will receive a copy of the interview transcript to share with your friends and family, so your loved ones will gain a valuable genealogical resource to help preserve family history for future generations.

Student Activism in Camden

Our project is inspired by Black Power–era student activists at Rutgers University–Camden. Check out the Student Activism History section to learn more about the legacy of student protest at Rutgers and see archival materials from the 1960s and 1970s.

Black students demand change at Rutgers in 1971

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