-
-
Catherine Hargrove Interview, September 14, 2019
-
Catherine Hargrove relocated to Petworth in the mid-1980s from Boston where she attended law school. She recalls it being incredibly family-oriented at the time she moved, but that the city did not maintain the urban landscape well. When asked about the change in the neighborhood overtime, Hargrove mentions that while still community-oriented, the neighborhood is largely gentrified. While this has resulted in greater municipal upkeep of the neighborhood, she notes several individuals that have been forced out of the community due to rising costs. She expresses that more conversations need to be held around the topic of gentrification and believes that individuals moving into new neighborhoods should make a point to learn the history and norms of the community that already exists.
-
-
Donna Rattley Washington Interview, September 14, 2019
-
Donna Rattley Washington, a proud third-generation Washingtonian, grew up in Brightwood, and reflects on the change she’s seen occur in the community over her lifetime. The most stark difference, she notes, is the presence of white people in the neighborhood, a result of redevelopment. Washington sees the changes that have occurred as largely positive, bringing an influx of new people and businesses to revitalize the neighborhood. She does, however, note the importance of acknowledging the displacement that often accompanies gentrification.
-
-
Jasmine Byrd Interview, September 14, 2019
-
Jasmine Byrd’s family has lived in Ward 4 for generations. She states that she has seen a lot of positive changes occur in the community throughout her lifetime, “cultivating this big diversity pot.” She notes that Upshur Street has become a thriving center for small businesses and that the neighborhood fosters a strong sense of community. Byrd ends her interview by noting that newcomers to the community need to recognize and pay homage to the community that already exists.
-
-
Mara Johnson Interview, September 14, 2019
-
Mara Johnson visited the Petworth neighborhood frequently while growing up, visiting a number of family members. She became a Petworth resident in 1973, when she moved into the home her aunt had lived in during Johnson’s childhood. Johnson notes a number of changes in the neighborhood over the past several decades, namely the transition from a predominantly black neighborhood to a more diverse community comprised of individuals from all over the world. Changing demographics have brought new commerce, and while she reflects fondly on the longtime businesses that no longer exist, she is excited by the variety of options—especially culinary—that are now available.
