This history interview conducted by William Chafe circa 1975 with Hobart Jarrett primarily documents Jarrett's involvement in Greensboro business desegregation in the 1960s. Jarrett describes at length his background, education, and influential experiences prior to joining the Bennett College faculty in 1949. Topics include the Tulsa, Oklahoma, race riot of 1921; the Tulsa school system; successful African-Americans from Tulsa; the Great Depression; his decisions to attend Syracuse and move to Greensboro; and his admiration of W.E.B. DuBois. Jarrett also describes the important role of the Wiley College debate team and its coach, Melvin Tolson, on his life. Jarrett discusses his experiences as a faculty member at Bennett College as well as some of his impressions of N.C A&T College. Topics include lack of faculty activism at Bennett and A&T; the progressive nature of Bennett College; Jarrett's impressions of presidents David Jones and Ferdinand Bluford; a voter registration drive organized at Bennett; Bennett hosting the Roosevelts and Martin Luther King Jr. Of the 1960 sit-ins, Jarrett discusses David Morehead's relationship with Spencer Love; being named liaison between local leaders and students; negotiating desegregation with business leaders; Edward Zane and the Human Relations Commission; and the involvement of African American church leaders. Other topics include include Jarrett's initial impressions of Greensboro; segregation at the local movie theatres; interracial meetings; aiding in William Hampton's successful campaign for city council; and the history and activities of Greensboro Citizens Association, Greensboro Men's Club, and NAACP.
