Joan Gray (Finding Aid)

Joan Gray

1949 -

Favorite Color: Blue

Favorite Food: Grilled Salmon

Favorite Time of Year: Summer

Favorite Vacation Spot: Anywhere Outside Chicago

Interview Length: 135 minutes

Interview Date(s): August 22, 2003

Interview Location(s): The HistoryMakers, Chicago, Illinois, Chicago, Illinois

Abstract

Muntu Dance Theatre President Joan Gray talks about her family's background. She details her parents' personalities and describes growing up with her grandparents on Chicago's South Side. Gray discusses skin color prejudice within her family before recalling a few of her earliest memories. Joan Gray then mentions her religious involvement as a youth. Muntu Dance Theatre President Joan Gray recalls her religious involvement as a youth before talking about her introduction to music education. She talks in detail about her high school career and mentions influential teachers. Joan Gray talks about her grandmother's reaction to the Civil Rights Movement. She discusses her rebellious youth and her negative experiences in college in Naperville, Illinois. Muntu Dance Theatre President Joan Gray talks about her experience at Roosevelt University and subsequent work with the Black Panther Party. She then recalls her involvement with the Black Panther Party in Chicago and discusses the Panthers' cooperation with Chicago street gangs. Gray details the day Fred Hampton was assassinated. She remembers being under surveillance because of her political involvement. Joan Gray comments on the gender roles that were established within the Panther Party. Muntu Dance Theatre President Joan Gray talks about her activities after leaving the Black Panther Party and then recalls her introduction to Muntu Dance Theatre. She discusses the public's reception to Muntu Dance Theatre before talking about Muntu Dance Theatre's growth in popularity. Joan Gray recounts the death of Muntu Dance Theatre's organizer, Alyo Tolbert. Muntu Dance Theatre President Joan Gray discusses the direction of Muntu Dance Theatre after Alyo Tolbert. She then recalls the steps taken to keep the Muntu Dance Theatre afloat in the 1980s and details her current activities with Muntu Dance Theatre. Joan Gray shares her hopes for the black community and then considers her legacy.

32 Stories (See Ordered Story Set)