Interview with Felecia Hayes

Interviewer

Olivia Paxton

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Abstract

This interview was conducted by Liv Paxton with Felecia A. Hayes as part of Project 2020: A Collaborative Oral History. Hayes reflects on her experiences as a young Black woman in sports, particularly as a track and field athlete. She discusses the personal, social, and educational challenges she faced amid the COVID-19 pandemic and the critical year 2020. She also details her relation to the Black Lives Matter movement (racism, police brutality, social unrest, etc.) and her subsequent social activism. Hayes concludes by reflecting on her experience as a Black woman, whether an athlete, student, or individual, navigating white spaces at the College of William and Mary and in society at large.

Felecia A. Hayes was a graduate student at the College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, VA at the time of the interview. She has since earned a Master of Education degree and is now an elementary educator in Fairfax County Public Schools. Hayes was a NCAA sprinter on the W&M track and field team as an undergraduate student.

Spearheaded by Dr. O. Jennifer Dixon-McKnight, an Assistant Professor of History & African American Studies at Winthrop University, Project 2020 is best summarized in her words: “The goal was to conduct interviews that explored the various ways in which Americans were experiencing and being impacted by the various watershed moments that emerged during 2020 (the global pandemic, social unrest, financial challenges, issues with healthcare, etc.)."

Publication Date

10-20-2021

Unique Identifier

OH 734

Format

MP3; MP4; WAV

Length

00:41:04

Restrictions

This interview is open for use.

Keywords

COVID-19 Pandemic, 2020, Education, Track and Field, Black Women, Black Lives Matter, Social Justice, College of William and Mary

Interview with Felecia Hayes

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