This oral history interview conducted by William Chafe circa 1975 with Jack Elam primarily documents Jack Elam's career as Greensboro city attorney from 1954-1961 and mayor from 1969 to 1971. Elam briefly describes his background and education before focusing on the events of February 1960, including advising the police department and city council, meeting with the "Greensboro Four" to discuss city ordinances before they sat-in at Woolworth's, Klan activity, urging Curly Harris to desegregate Woolworth's, and working with Edward Zane and the Advisory Committee. Elam also discusses Greensboro politics and some specific elected officials and city employees during the 1960s, including Carson Bain and city curfews, hiring black police officers and other employees, and the appointment of Walter Johnson and Vance Chavis to citywide boards. Elam also describes in detail his experience as mayor during the May 1969 Dudley High School/NC A&T riots, including the murder of Willie Grimes, the shooting of city policemen, Owen Lewis, the decision to call in the national guard, FBI informants, and his communication with various other local and state leaders. Other topics include Elam's service on the Human Rights Commission, his attempt to get Henry Frye admitted to the Greensboro Bar Association in 1954, George Simkins winning a tennis tournament at the Greensboro Country Club, the desegregation of city golf courses and swimming pools, the Greensboro Chamber of Commerce and Hal Sieber's involvement desegregation attempts, Nelson Johnson's role in the community, and the sanitation workers strike.
