EBONY FASHION FAIR ORAL HISTORY PROJECT:

For 50 years, the Ebony Fashion Fair toured the United States annually, bringing the latest high fashion to audiences from New York to Los Angeles, Milwaukee to New Orleans, Nashville to Minneapolis, where it became the premier fashion event in the local African American community from 1959 to 2009.

Johnson Publishing Company, the Chicago-based and Black-owned publishers of Ebony and Jet magazines, originated the first traveling Ebony Fashion Fair in 1958 and continued to produce the show over the years. At its height, the fashion fair toured over 180 cities per year and featured about 200 designer garments, including ensembles by European fashion icons like Yves Saint Laurent, Valentino, and Christian Dior, in addition to highlighting the work of notable Black designers, including Stephen Burrows, B. Michael, and Patrick Kelly. Black models walked the runways of the Ebony Fashion Fair at a time when opportunities for models of color were few and far between. It launched the careers of several celebrated models and actors. The fashion fair raised $55 million for a variety of charities dedicated to such causes as sickle cell anemia research and college scholarships for African American students.

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Arrangement is alphabetical by interviewee's last name.

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Availability:

The collection is open for research use.

Preferred Citation:

[Indicate the cited item and/or series here]. Ebony Fashion Fair Oral History Project, Oral History Interviews of the Ebony Fashion Fair Oral History Project. Minnesota Historical Society.

See the Chicago Manual of Style for additional examples.

Accession Information:

Accession number: AV2017.152

Processing Information:

Processed by: Karen Obermeyer-Kolb, September 2017

Catalog ID number: 990088884840104294

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Biographical Information: Victoria (Vicky) Davis was born in 1943 in Memphis, Tennessee and grew up there. She completed her undergraduate degree at Spelman College in Atlanta, Georgia in 1965 then moved to Minnesota in 1968 to pursue her graduate studies at the University of Minnesota’s Hubert H. Humphrey School of Public Affairs. She completed her degree in public administration in 1970. Davis worked in housing and real estate for much of her career. She was one of the founders of the Summit-University Education Consortium as well as Limited 30 Black Women’s Network. She was also involved in the United Negro College Fund (UNCF) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Davis first became involved with the Ebony Fashion Fair through the UNCF in the 1970s and later worked on the fashion fair with Limited 30 Black Women’s Network in the 2000s. Davis is married to Nathaniel Khaliq, who was president of the St. Paul NAACP for fifteen years.

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OH 175.1

Oral history interview with Victoria Davis, September 30, 2015. 1 master audio file: digital, WAV (1 hour, 4 minutes ), 1 user audio file: digital, MP3, and transcript (20 pages).

Topics discussed include family background; the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul; education through graduate school; involvement in the civil rights movement; Summit-University Education Consortium; impact of tutoring programs; involvement with the UNCF; local causes and scholarships supported by the Ebony Fashion Fair; historically Black colleges and universities; Ebony Fashion Fair venues, audiences, models, and awards; racial discrimination in St. Paul Public Schools; Limited 30 Black Women’s Network; changes in the Ebony Fashion Fair; reflections on her community involvement and impact.

Interviewed by Mica Lee Anders in St. Paul.

The transcript has been reviewed and edited by the interviewee.

Digital version

Digital version

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Biographical Information: Dwane Martin was born in 1961 in Bastrop, Louisiana and grew up in Houston, Texas. While attending Prairie View A&M University in Texas, Martin joined Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. He completed his engineering degree and moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota, in the 1980s. Martin served as president of the local Phi Beta Sigma chapter, Zeta Nu Sigma, from 1998 to 2000. He was involved with the Ebony Fashion Fair in Minnesota during the 1990s and early 2000s when the event was locally hosted by the Sigmas. Martin worked as a production technician and was involved in the Minneapolis Urban League and the Community Emergency Response Team. He also mentored young African American men.

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OH 175.2

Oral history interview with Dwane Martin, October 12, 2015. 1 master audio file: digital, WAV (58 minutes ), 1 user audio file: digital, MP3, and transcript (24 pages).

Topics discussed include family background; education through college; moving to Minnesota; Black ski clubs; involvement with Phi Beta Sigma; working with the Urban League; attending the Ebony Fashion Fair as a child; hosting the Ebony Fashion Fair with Phi Beta Sigma; Ebony Fashion Fair venues, ticket sales, publicity, logistics, scholarships, models, and special events; working at the fashion fair; fashion fair high points; decision to stop hosting the fashion fair; potential for future fashion fairs; interest in African American history; Million Man March; as well as engaging and mentoring young African American men.

Interviewed by Mica Lee Anders in St. Paul.

The transcript has been reviewed and edited by the interviewee.

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Digital version

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Biographical Information: Peggye Mezile was born in the late 1940s in Kansas City, Kansas and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. She earned her bachelor’s degree in social work from the University of Missouri, where she was a charter member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) on campus. Mezile went on to complete her master’s in social work at the University of Kansas. She spent most of her career working in outpatient mental health and also served on the boards of a wide variety of organizations over the years. Mezile and her husband moved to Minnesota in 1995. She became involved with the Ebony Fashion Fair as the local co-chair when the AKAs hosted in 2008 and was the chairperson for the last Ebony Fashion Fair to come to Minnesota in 2009. Mezile is married to Harold Mezile, who was the president and CEO of the YMCA of Metropolitan Minneapolis. They have two children and three grandchildren.

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OH 175.3

Oral history interview with Peggye Mezile, October 1, 2015. 1 master audio file: digital, WAV (47 minutes ), 1 user audio file: digital, MP3, and transcript (17 pages).

Topics discussed include family background; moving to Minnesota; school integration in Kansas City; education through graduate school; joining the AKAs; relationship with her husband; serving on nonprofit boards; the Ebony Fashion Fair, co-chairing and chairing, scholarships, planning committees, luncheon, show logistics, end of the fashion fair in 2009, and reasons for success; as well as other sorority fundraising activities.

Interviewed by Mica Lee Anders in Edina.

The transcript has been reviewed and edited by the interviewee.

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Digital version

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Biographical Information: Alecia Mobley was born in 1979. She grew up in a military family and moved many times throughout her childhood. She lived in a variety of places, including Panama, South Carolina, Germany, and Alabama. Mobley attended Florida A&M University, where she studied occupational therapy and completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees. She attended the Ebony Fashion Fair when she lived in Alabama and became involved in hosting the fashion fair soon after she moved to Minnesota in 2003. Mobley works as a special education supervisor with St. Paul Public Schools and completed her doctor of education degree in educational administration in 2016.

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OH 175.4

Oral history interview with Alecia Mobley, February 15, 2016. 1 master audio file: digital, WAV (49 minutes ), 1 user audio file: digital, MP3, and transcript (16 pages).

Topics discussed include family background, Panamanian heritage, importance of education in her family, passion for occupational therapy and education, growing up in a military family, attending the Ebony Fashion Fair in Alabama, observations about Minnesota culture as a "transplant," involvement with the fashion fair in Minnesota, visual impressions of the fashion fair and models, work in environmental justice and advocacy, importance of community and family, reactions to the Ebony Fashion Fair exhibit at the Minnesota Historical Society.

Interviewed by Mica Lee Anders in St. Paul.

The transcript has been reviewed and edited by the interviewee.

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Digital version

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Biographical Information: Wenda Weekes Moore was born in 1941 in Fort Devens, Massachusetts and grew up in Los Angeles, California. She earned her bachelor’s degree from Howard University in 1963 and moved to Minnesota in 1966. Moore served as a staff assistant to Governor Wendell Anderson and was the first African American chairwoman of the University of Minnesota Board of Regents. In the late 1980s Moore joined the Board of Trustees of the Kellogg Foundation and became chair of the board in 2001. Moore is a member of the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) and became involved in the Ebony Fashion Fair when the AKAs organized the local event in the 1970s and 1980s. She is married to Cornell Leverette Moore, who is a prominent attorney and bank executive.

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OH 175.5

Oral history interview with Wenda Moore, September 22, 2015. 1 master audio file: digital, WAV (58 minutes ), 1 user audio file: digital, MP3, and transcript (12 pages).

Topics discussed include family background; Barbadian (Bajan) ancestry; involvement in Black women’s organizations; first experiences attending the Ebony Fashion Fair; Ebony Fashion Fair logistics and venues; memorable fashion trends; impact of the Ebony Fashion Fair; joining the board of the Kellogg Foundation; personal impact on the community; meaning of community

Interviewed by Mica Lee Anders in Edina.

The transcript has been reviewed and edited by the interviewee.

Digital version

Digital version

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Biographical Information: Ora Lee O'Neal Patterson was born in the Rondo neighborhood of St. Paul in 1940. She grew up in St. Paul, the youngest of seven children. Patterson worked in the office of the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. She was also involved in local Democratic politics, including working in the offices of Nick Coleman and George Latimer. Patterson was executive director of the Summit-University Education Consortium and co-founded Limited 30 Black Women’s Network with her friend, Victoria Davis. She co-chaired the Ebony Fashion Fair in the mid-2000s with Limited 30.

Patterson was also interviewed for the Rondo Oral History Project which is cataloged separately in the Minnesota Historical Society collections.

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OH 175.6

Oral history interview with Ora Lee Patterson, October 21, 2015. 1 master audio file: digital, WAV (1 hour, 14 minutes ), 1 user audio file: digital, MP3, and transcript (20 pages).

Topics discussed include family background; involvement in local Democratic politics; the Summit-University Education Consortium; fundraising scholarships for Black students; Limited 30 Black Women’s Network origins, membership, and activities; friendship with Victoria Davis; hosting the Ebony Fashion Fair, its logistics, its community impact; changes and challenges in the local African American community; struggles of Black students in the education system; as well as reflections on the her community work and its impact.

Interviewed by Mica Lee Anders in North St. Paul.

The transcript has been reviewed and edited by the interviewee.

Digital version

Digital version

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Biographical Information: Edward (Ed) Robertson was born and raised in Houston, Texas. He attended Prairie View A&M University in Prairie View, Texas, and graduated with an engineering degree. Robertson joined Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., in 1971 after his graduation from Prairie View. Upon moving to Minnesota, he was one of the founding members of the Twin Cities chapter of Phi Beta Sigma, Zeta Nu Sigma, which was established in 1977. Robertson was instrumental in initiating the Sigmas’ run as hosts of the Ebony Fashion Fair in the Twin Cities in the 1980s and was involved in the fashion fair planning and logistics. Robertson worked as an engineer and energy management specialist for about three decades and then started a second career in wellness and personal training. He also worked for St. Paul Public Schools. Robertson is married to Juanita Woods Robertson.

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OH 175.7

Oral history interview with Edward Robertson, January 18, 2016. 1 master audio file: digital, WAV (58 minutes ), 1 user audio file: digital, MP3, and transcript (16 pages).

Topics discussed include family background; childhood in Houston; engineering career; Phi Beta Sigma community activities and social programs; origins of the Sigmas’ hosting of the Ebony Fashion Fair; fashion fair leadership, logistics, ticket sales, venues, scholarships, parties, and planning; Black fraternities and sororities in the Twin Cities; first fashion fair hosted by the Sigmas; founding of the local Phi Beta Sigma chapter; being honored for his fraternity leadership; and historically Black colleges.

Interviewed by Mica Lee Anders in St. Paul.

The transcript has been reviewed and edited by the interviewee.

Digital version

Digital version

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Biographical Information: Hillary Thomas III was born in Natchez, Mississippi in 1958 and moved to Minneapolis at the age of thirteen. He graduated from Minneapolis North High School and received a basketball scholarship to Morningside College in Sioux City, Iowa. After completing his bachelor’s degree, Thomas returned to Minneapolis and started a carpet cleaning business. He joined Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc. in 1986 and later served as president. In his capacity as fraternity president, Thomas was local chair for the Ebony Fashion Fair in Minnesota beginning in 1990. He currently works as a job developer and job coach for Rise Pathways. Thomas is married to Pamela Thomas.

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OH 175.8

Oral history interview with Hillary Thomas III, November 10, 2015. 1 master audio file: digital, WAV (54 minutes ), 1 user audio file: digital, MP3, and transcript (19 pages).

Topics discussed include family background; meeting his wife; family connections and move to Minnesota; growing up in Mississippi during the civil rights movement; high school at Minneapolis North High; playing basketball and earning a basketball scholarship; college education; business ventures; joining Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity; serving as president of the local Sigma chapter; attending the Ebony Fashion Fair; serving as chair of the fashion fair; fashion fair publicity, logistics, locations, and planning committees; career changes; working with immigrants; and conceptions of community.

Interviewed by Mica Lee Anders in St. Paul.

The transcript has been reviewed and edited by the interviewee.

Digital version

Digital version

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Biographical Information: Lisa Tittle was born and grew up in Charleston, South Carolina. She earned her undergraduate degree at Norfolk State University and completed her master’s degree in social work at Howard University. While in college she joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. (AKA) and continued her affiliation with the sorority up to the present. Tittle moved to Minnesota in 2002 and became involved with the Ebony Fashion Fair in the early 2000s when the local event was hosted by the AKAs. Tittle works as a supervisor in child protection for Hennepin County. She is married to Alexander Tittle, a U.S. Army veteran and the equity director for the Minnesota Stadium Facilities Authority.

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OH 175.9

Oral history interview with Lisa Tittle, April 18, 2016. 1 master audio file: digital, WAV (45 minutes ), 1 user audio file: digital, MP3, and transcript (16 pages).

Topics discussed include family background; childhood connection to AKA; education; historically Black colleges and universities; joining AKA; college and graduate school; moving to Minnesota; involvement with AKA in Minnesota; involvement with the Ebony Fashion Fair; fashion fair logistics, committees, venues, and audience; funding AKA scholarships through the fashion fair; other AKA fundraising activities; community impact of the fashion fair; and recent family activities.

Interviewed by Mica Lee Anders in Minneapolis.

The transcript has been reviewed by the interviewee.

Digital version

Digital version

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Biographical Information: Michael Wulf was born in 1963 in St. Paul, Minnesota and grew up in the Rondo neighborhood. Wulf attended the University of St. Thomas, where he completed a bachelor’s degree in quantitative methods/computer science and a master’s degree in software engineering. He went on to pursue his doctor of education degree in organizational leadership. Wulf worked as an IT (information technology) professional, and at the time of the interview he was a senior specialist and IT architect at Prudential Financial. Wulf joined Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc., in 1988 and was involved in planning and organizing the Ebony Fashion Fair when Phi Beta Sigma hosted the event in the Twin Cities. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Black Data Processing Association (BDPA), a professional organization for minorities working in the information technology and computer science fields. Wulf is married to Elizabeth Wulf

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OH 175.10

Oral history interview with Michael Wulf, February 11, 2016. 1 master audio file: digital, WAV (1 hour, 9 minutes ), 1 user audio file: digital, MP3, and transcript (23 pages).

Topics discussed include family background, growing up in the Rondo neighborhood, busing and school desegregation, high school education, first jobs, college education, racism, Phi Beta Sigma pledging and membership, buying a home in Rondo, information technology career, influences on his life, fraternity social programs, Ebony Fashion Fair logistics, business and financial aspects of hosting the fashion fair, visual impressions of the fashion fair, work for BDPA, pursing his doctorate.

Interviewed by Mica Lee Anders in St. Paul.

The transcript has been reviewed and edited by the interviewee.

Digital version

Digital version

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This collection is indexed under the following headings in the catalog of the Minnesota Historical Society. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.

Topics:

African American universities and colleges.

African Americans -- Civil rights.

African Americans -- Minnesota.

African Americans -- Education -- Minnesota.

Discrimination in education -- Minnesota.

Fashion shows.

Fund raising.

Persons:

Anders, Mica Lee, interviewer.

Davis, Victoria, 1943- , interviewee.

Martin, Dwane, interviewee.

Mezile, Peggye, interviewee.

Mobley, Alecia, interviewee.

Moore, Wenda, interviewee.

Patterson, Ora Lee O'Neal, 1940- , interviewee.

Roberston, Edward Arthur, interviewee.

Thomas, Hillary, III, interviewee.

Tittle, Lisa M., interviewee.

Wulf, Michael, interviewee.

Organizations:

Ebony Fashion Fair.

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority.

National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity.

United Negro College Fund.

Places:

Rondo (Saint Paul, Minn.)

Document Types:

Interviews.

Oral histories (document genres).

Sound recordings.

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