Community History 365 | Johnson City, TN

Welcome to Community History 365! CH365 tells stories from Johnson City's rich multicultural history. Season 2 is all about "Villages."

This second episode is full of stories from TR Dunn. He grew up near Carver Rec, graduated from Science Hill High School, and lives in Johnson City today. This is our second episode about Carver Rec, which is a parks and recreation facility that’s been around since the 1950s. Today we hear from TR about his years growing up in the Carver projects, the bunch of kids he hung around town with, how things changed in his high school years, and how Carver influenced his later years.

Season 2 is all about villages in Johnson City. It'll be like a road trip around town and across decades, with one question guiding us: "Langston was a village. Where are the village now?" This season will be full of stories about neighborhoods, businesses, and centers of community. Exploring the spaces and places in Johnson City that have created a sense of belonging.

Listen to Season 1 of CH365 to learn about the history of Langston High School and the Langston Centre.

Tap the "Follow" button so you'll be notified when new episodes are released.

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Credits

- CH365 is a production of the Langston Centre Media Lab

- Host: Karen Sullivan

- Producers: Kelvin Scott, Karen Sullivan, and Isaac Wood

- Writer: Isaac Wood

- Mix and Master: Kelvin Scott

- Multicultural Engagement Manager for the Langston Centre: Adam Dickson

- Thank you to TR Dunn for sharing his stories and memories for this episode. 

- Thank you to LEAD and to the City of Johnson City’s Parks and Recreation Department for supporting Community History 365. 

Recordings

- The Community History 365 theme song is called “Feels Good to Be” and comes from audionautix.com

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Community History 365 is supported by LEAD (Langston Education and Arts Development), a nonprofit created by Langston High School alumni. Seeking to preserve the school building’s integrity, legacy, and historical value, the alumni formed LEAD which helped the building open up as the Langston Centre. This multicultural facility serves the community as part of the City of Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department.   

Welcome to Community History 365! CH365 tells stories from Johnson City's rich multicultural history. Season 2 is all about "Villages."

In this second episode, learn about Carver Park — an important community center in Johnson City — and the forces that threatened its existence. Kenneth "Herb" Greenlee shares memories about growing up around Carver, his first job at 8 years old, challenges Carver faced in the 1970s, and what has happened since then.

Season 2 is all about villages in Johnson City. It'll be like a road trip around town and across decades, with one question guiding us: "Langston was a village. Where are the village now?" This season will be full of stories about neighborhoods, businesses, and centers of community. Exploring the spaces and places in Johnson City that have created a sense of belonging.

Listen to Season 1 of CH365 to learn all about the history of Langston High School and the Langston Centre.

Tap the "Follow" button so you'll be notified when new episodes are released.

---

Credits

- CH365 is a production of the Langston Centre Media Lab

- Host: Karen Sullivan

- Producers: Kelvin Scott, Karen Sullivan, and Isaac Wood

- Writer: Isaac Wood

- Mix and Master: Kelvin Scott

- Multicultural Engagement Manager for the Langston Centre: Adam Dickson

- Thank you to Kenneth "Herb" Greenlee who shared his memories and expertise for this episode. 

- Thank you to LEAD and to the City of Johnson City’s Parks and Recreation Department for supporting Community History 365. 

Recordings

- The Community History 365 theme song is called “Feels Good to Be” and comes from audionautix.com

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Community History 365 is supported by LEAD (Langston Education and Arts Development), a nonprofit created by Langston High School alumni. Seeking to preserve the school building’s integrity, legacy, and historical value, the alumni formed LEAD which helped the building open up as the Langston Centre. This multicultural facility serves the community as part of the City of Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department.   

Welcome to Community History 365! CH365 tells stories from Johnson City's rich multicultural history.

After this winter's mini-series about MLK, we're back with Season 2, which is all about villages in Johnson City. It'll be like a road trip across decades and around town, with one question guiding us: "Langston was a village. Where are the village now?" This season will be full of stories about neighborhoods, businesses, and centers of community. Exploring the spaces and places in Johnson City that have created a sense of belonging.

In this first episode, hear Langston High School alumni share memories from their time at the school. And listen to Dr. Jean Swindle, who's Assistant Professor in the College of Education at East Tennessee State University, share stories about villages and knowledge about the historical context of de-segregation.

Tap the "Follow" button so you'll be notified when new episodes are released.

---

Credits

- CH365 is a production of the Langston Centre Media Lab

- Host: Karen Sullivan

- Producers: Kelvin Scott, Karen Sullivan, and Isaac Wood

- Writer: Isaac Wood

- Mix and Master: Kelvin Scott

- Multicultural Engagement Manager for the Langston Centre: Adam Dickson

- Thank you to Dr. Jean Swindle and the Langston High School Alumni who shared their memories and expertise for this episode. 

- Thank you to LEAD and to the City of Johnson City’s Parks and Recreation Department for supporting Community History 365. 

Recordings

- The Community History 365 theme song is called “Feels Good to Be” and comes from audionautix.com

---

Community History 365 is supported by LEAD (Langston Education and Arts Development), a nonprofit created by Langston High School alumni. Seeking to preserve the school building’s integrity, legacy, and historical value, the alumni formed LEAD which helped the building open up as the Langston Centre. This multicultural facility serves the community as part of the City of Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department.   

Welcome to Community History 365! CH365 tells stories from Johnson City's rich multicultural history.

Today we hear from Dr. Jean Swindle. She celebrates the work of women in the Civil Rights Movement and describes what it looks like to be a leader in a village. Dr. Swindle is an Assistant Professor in the College of Education at ETSU.

This is the final episode of a 5-part mini-series called MLK: Perspectives from Appalachia. It's a conversation. Five people, all connected to Johnson City, TN, talking about MLK, his legacy, his work in the Civil Rights Movement, and what it all means for us now.

Tap the "Follow" button so you'll be notified when new episodes are released.

---

Credits

- CH365 is a production of the Langston Centre Media Lab

- Host: Karen Sullivan

- Producers: Kelvin Scott & Isaac Wood

- Writer: Isaac Wood

- Mix and Master: Kelvin Scott

- Multicultural Engagement Manager for the Langston Centre: Adam Dickson

- Thank you to Ronquil Joyner. Ronquil recorded these interviews when he was studying communications at East Tennessee State University. 

- Thank you to LEAD and to the City of Johnson City’s Parks and Recreation Department for supporting Community History 365. 

- Many thanks to the people who shared their experience and expertise for this series: Dr. Elwood Watson, George Brosi, Dr. Daryl Carter, Dr. Ron Roach, Dr. Jean Swindle

Recordings

- The Community History 365 theme song is called “Feels Good to Be” and comes from audionautix.com

---

Community History 365 is supported by LEAD (Langston Education and Arts Development), a nonprofit created by Langston High School alumni. Seeking to preserve the school building’s integrity, legacy, and historical value, the alumni formed LEAD which helped the building open up as the Langston Centre. This multicultural facility serves the community as part of the City of Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department.   

Welcome to Community History 365! CH365 tells stories from Johnson City's rich multicultural history.

Today we hear from Dr. Ron Roach from East Tennessee State University. He’s talking about the masterful rhetoric MLK used in his speeches. Dr. Roach is the Chair of the Appalachian Studies Department at ETSU. Through the years he’s also taught rhetoric to college students. If you've ever wondered what makes Dr. King's "I Have a Dream Speech" so powerful, then you'll like this episode.

This is a 5-part mini-series called MLK: Perspectives from Appalachia. It's a conversation. Five people, all connected to Johnson City, TN, talking about MLK, his legacy, his work in the Civil Rights Movement, and what it all means for us now.

Tap the "Follow" button so you'll be notified when new episodes are released.

---

Credits

- CH365 is a production of the Langston Centre Media Lab

- Host: Karen Sullivan

- Producers: Kelvin Scott & Isaac Wood

- Writer: Isaac Wood

- Mix and Master: Kelvin Scott

- Multicultural Engagement Manager for the Langston Centre: Adam Dickson

- Thank you to Ronquil Joyner. Ronquil recorded these interviews when he was studying communications at East Tennessee State University. 

- Thank you to LEAD and to the City of Johnson City’s Parks and Recreation Department for supporting Community History 365. 

- Many thanks to the people who shared their experience and expertise for this series: Dr. Elwood Watson, George Brosi, Dr. Daryl Carter, Dr. Ron Roach, Dr. Jean Swindle

Sources used by Dr. Roach

- The Dream: Martin Luther King, Jr., and the Speech That Inspired A Nation, by Drew Hansen

- Walking With the Wind: A Memoir of the Movement, by John Lewis

Recordings

- The Community History 365 theme song is called “Feels Good to Be” and comes from audionautix.com

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Community History 365 is supported by LEAD (Langston Education and Arts Development), a nonprofit created by Langston High School alumni. Seeking to preserve the school building’s integrity, legacy, and historical value, the alumni formed LEAD which helped the building open up as the Langston Centre. This multicultural facility serves the community as part of the City of Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department.   

Welcome to Community History 365! CH365 tells stories from Johnson City's rich multicultural history.

Today we hear from Dr. Daryl A. Carter from East Tennessee State University. He’s talking about surveillance and the way it was used to keep tabs on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

This is a 5-part mini-series called MLK: Perspectives from Appalachia. It's a conversation. Five people, all connected to Johnson City, TN, talking about MLK, his legacy, his work in the Civil Rights Movement, and what it all means for us now.

Dr. Carter teaches political history. He is an Associate Dean and Director of Black American Studies at ETSU. He’s here to discuss the government surveillance of MLK and the political dynamics that went into it. You’ll also get to hear the broader historical context of surveillance in the United States.

Tap the "Follow" button so you'll be notified when new episodes are released.

---

Credits

- CH365 is a production of the Langston Centre Media Lab

- Host: Karen Sullivan

- Producers: Kelvin Scott & Isaac Wood

- Writer: Isaac Wood

- Mix and Master: Kelvin Scott

- Multicultural Engagement Manager for the Langston Centre: Adam Dickson

- Thank you to Ronquil Joyner. Ronquil recorded these interviews when he was studying communications at East Tennessee State University. 

- Thank you to LEAD and to the City of Johnson City’s Parks and Recreation Department for supporting Community History 365. 

- Many thanks to the people who shared their experience and expertise for this series: Dr. Elwood Watson, George Brosi, Dr. Daryl Carter, Dr. Ron Roach, Dr. Jean Swindle

Recordings

- The Community History 365 theme song is called “Feels Good to Be” and comes from audionautix.com

---

Community History 365 is supported by LEAD (Langston Education and Arts Development), a nonprofit created by Langston High School alumni. Seeking to preserve the school building’s integrity, legacy, and historical value, the alumni formed LEAD which helped the building open up as the Langston Centre. This multicultural facility serves the community as part of the City of Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department.   

Welcome to Community History 365! CH365 tells stories from Johnson City's rich multicultural history.

For decades, George Brosi has been involved in Appalachian studies and campaigns. In this episode he tells about how he got involved with the Poor People's Campaign, led by Martin Luther King, Jr.

Have you ever wondered where all the Civil Rights leaders went to school? Dr. Ron Roach, from the Appalachian Studies Department at East Tennessee State University, joins George to give some Appalachian context to the Civil Rights Movement, including the East TN founding of the Highlander Folk School. The school was attended by a lot of people, including MLK and Rosa Parks.

This is a 5-part mini-series called MLK: Perspectives from Appalachia. It's a conversation. Five people, all connected to Johnson City, TN, talking about MLK, his legacy, his work in the Civil Rights Movement, and what it all means for us now.

Tap the "Follow" button so you'll be notified when new episodes are released.

---

Credits

- CH365 is a production of the Langston Centre Media Lab

- Host: Karen Sullivan

- Producers: Kelvin Scott & Isaac Wood

- Writer: Isaac Wood

- Mix and Master: Kelvin Scott

- Multicultural Engagement Manager for the Langston Centre: Adam Dickson

- Thank you to Ronquil Joyner. Ronquil recorded these interviews when he was studying communications at East Tennessee State University. 

- Thank you to LEAD and to the City of Johnson City’s Parks and Recreation Department for supporting Community History 365. 

- Many thanks to the people who shared their experience and expertise for this series: Dr. Elwood Watson, George Brosi, Dr. Daryl Carter, Dr. Ron Roach, Dr. Jean Swindle

Recordings

- The Community History 365 theme song is called “Feels Good to Be” and comes from audionautix.com

---

Community History 365 is supported by LEAD (Langston Education and Arts Development), a nonprofit created by Langston High School alumni. Seeking to preserve the school building’s integrity, legacy, and historical value, the alumni formed LEAD which helped the building open up as the Langston Centre. This multicultural facility serves the community as part of the City of Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department.   

Welcome to Community History 365! CH365 tells stories from Johnson City's rich multicultural history. Today is the first episode of a 5-part mini-series called MLK: Perspectives from Appalachia. It's a conversation. Five people, all connected to Johnson City, TN, talking about MLK, his legacy, his work in the Civil Rights Movement, and what it all means for us now.

In this episode, listen to the first perspective from Dr. Elwood Watson. Dr. Watson is Professor of History at East Tennessee State University, and in this episode he tells about some of King's goals, and some of his critics.

Tap the "Follow" button so you'll be notified when new episodes are released.

---

Credits

- CH365 is a production of the Langston Centre Media Lab

- Host: Karen Sullivan

- Producers: Kelvin Scott & Isaac Wood

- Writer: Isaac Wood

- Mix and Master: Kelvin Scott

- Multicultural Engagement Manager for the Langston Centre: Adam Dickson

- Thank you to Ronquil Joyner. Ronquil recorded these interviews when he was studying communications at East Tennessee State University. 

- Thank you to LEAD and to the City of Johnson City’s Parks and Recreation Department for supporting Community History 365. 

- Many thanks to the people who shared their experience and expertise for this series: Dr. Elwood Watson, George Brosi, Dr. Daryl Carter, Dr. Ron Roach, Dr. Jean Swindle

Recordings

- The Community History 365 theme song is called “Feels Good to Be” and comes from audionautix.com

---

Community History 365 is supported by LEAD (Langston Education and Arts Development), a nonprofit created by Langston High School alumni. Seeking to preserve the school building’s integrity, legacy, and historical value, the alumni formed LEAD which helped the building open up as the Langston Centre. This multicultural facility serves the community as part of the City of Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department.   

Welcome to Community History 365! CH365 tells stories from Johnson City's rich multicultural history. We're about to kick off a mini-series celebrating Martin Luther King, Jr. It's a conversation. Five people, all connected to Johnson City, TN, talking about MLK, his legacy, his work in the Civil Rights Movement, and what it all means for us now. 

The first episode will release on Monday, January 19th---MLK Day. Tap the "Follow" button so you'll be notified when the episodes are released.  

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Credits

- CH365 is a production of the Langston Centre Media Lab

- Host: Karen Sullivan

- Producers: Kelvin Scott & Isaac Wood

- Writer: Isaac Wood

- Mix and Master: Kelvin Scott

- Multicultural Engagement Manager for the Langston Centre: Adam Dickson

- Thank you to Ronquil Joyner. Ronquil recorded these interviews when he was studying communications at East Tennessee State University. 

- Thank you to LEAD and to the City of Johnson City’s Parks and Recreation Department for supporting Community History 365. 

- Many thanks to the people who shared their experience and expertise for this series: Dr. Elwood Watson, George Brosi, Dr. Daryl Carter, Dr. Ron Roach, Dr. Jean Swindle

Recordings

- The Community History 365 theme song is called “Feels Good to Be” and comes from audionautix.com

---

Community History 365 is supported by LEAD (Langston Education and Arts Development), a nonprofit created by Langston High School alumni. Seeking to preserve the school building’s integrity, legacy, and historical value, the alumni formed LEAD which helped the building open up as the Langston Centre. This multicultural facility serves the community as part of the City of Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department.   

Welcome to Community History 365! CH365 tells stories from Johnson City's rich multicultural history, stories you've probably never heard. This month we honor the memory of Callie Redd, who attended Langston as a student and returned as a teacher.

Throughout Season 1 of CH365, we've heard about the history of Langston and what it was like to be a student there---the care and joy alumni experienced while they attended Langston. None of that would have happened without dedicated teachers. Callie Redd was one of those teachers. She passed away in July of 2025. In this episode, we hear from several people who knew her well. Listen to hear the memories they share about her kindness, hard work, and humor. 

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Credits

- CH365 is a production of the Langston Centre Media Lab

- Host: Karen Sullivan

- Producers: Kelvin Scott & Isaac Wood

- Writer: Isaac Wood

- Mix and Master: Kelvin Scott

- Multicultural Engagement Manager for the Langston Centre: Adam Dickson

- Thank you to LEAD and to the City of Johnson City’s Parks and Recreation Department for supporting Community History 365. 

- Many thanks to the people who shared their stories: Charles Crowe, Michelle Treece, Adam Dickson, Bobby Douglass, Johnny Russaw, and Jenny Jackson. 

- Thank you to Johnson City Press for use of the recording of the Langston Centre opening day.

- Thank you to the Community History 365 History Task Force for giving their collaboration and expertise.

- Thank you to Rebecca Henderson for agreeing to promote CH365 in Today in Johnson City History in exchange for us promoting her newsletter.

Sources

Information about Callie Redd's career: https://www.jcschools.org/community/hall-of-fame/callie-redd

Recordings

• The Community History 365 theme song is called “Feels Good to Be” and comes from audionautix.com
• The music for the Today in Johnson City History promotional comes from Pixabay.com. It's called "Uko," and it's by St Joseph Anglican Church in Likuni, Lilongwe, Malawi, Africa.

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Community History 365 is supported by LEAD (Langston Education and Arts Development), a nonprofit created by Langston High School alumni. Seeking to preserve the school building’s integrity, legacy, and historical value, the alumni formed LEAD which helped the building open up as the Langston Centre. This multicultural facility serves the community as part of the City of Johnson City Parks and Recreation Department.