Dr. James Garrett
Summary
Dr. James Garrett was born December 31st, 1942 in Dallas, Texas. He grew up in Texas and Louisiana until age 12 when his family moved to Los Angeles, California in 1956. While in high school he became involved in the Civil Rights Movement and has been involved in progressive movements all his life. He joined the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee as staff, serving as director of the Los Angeles office for a year. He rode on one of the final Freedom Rider buses in 1961, participated in multiple civil rights actions in Los Angeles and throughout the South. Dr. Garrett holds dual Ph.Ds in Political Philosophy and Sociology of Education. He has taught at Howard University, Harvard University and American University. He also worked for the United Nations on various projects. He is currently working with the Land Trust Movement the San FranciscoBay Area as well as continuing international work with the Sam Nujoma Foundation to build a world-class medical facility in Namibia.
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Date: April 27, 2020
Interviewers:
Lead: Diego DeLa'O, Stuart Hall High School, Class of 2020
Support: Jade Despanie, Convent High School, Class of 2020
Instructor: Howard Levin, Director of Educational Innovation
Location: Recorded via Zoom teleconferencing system. Dr. Garrett was at his home in Oakland, CA. The interview Team was in their separate homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area during the “shelter in place” order due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duration: 72 min

This is the first of 2 interviews with James Garrett. Students interviewed him again in the spring of 2020 (to be posted here in the coming weeks).
Date: May 12, 2020
Interviewers:
Lead: Diego DeLa'O, Stuart Hall High School, Class of 2020
Support: Jade Despanie, Convent High School, Class of 2020
Instructor: Howard Levin, Director of Educational Innovation
Location: Recorded via Zoom teleconferencing system. Dr. Garrett was at his home in Oakland, CA. The interview Team was in their separate homes throughout the San Francisco Bay Area during the “shelter in place” order due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Duration: 57 min

This is the second of 2 interviews with James Garrett. Students interviewed him previously on April 27, 2020 (above).