Category: Library

On December 7, 2023

Olivia Stith is a current sophomore at Virginia Commonwealth University and is studying music with a minor in general business. She grew up in Northern Virginia, where her family still resides. Her family that she lived with growing up includes her mother, father, and younger brother Deuce. Deuce is two years younger than Olivia and also attends Virginia Commonwealth University. For the past couple of years, her grandmother has also lived with her and her parents in Northern Virginia. However, for most of the school year, excluding holidays, Olivia lives in Richmond for school.

In this video, Olivia Stith reflects on her relationship with her younger brother and how they have navigated siblinghood as they’ve grown older. Olivia emphasizes the happiness of her childhood and the tight-knit nature of her immediate family. Furthermore, Olivia sheds light on the unique, complex dynamics of black sibling relationships and how siblinghood has influenced her life as an individual. Additionally, Olivia shares what it is like attending Virginia Commonwealth University with her brother, and how they both complement and challenge each other.

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Isis Lewis talks about her siblings

Isis Lewis is a current student at Virginia Commonwealth University and is on the pre-vet track studying biology. Isis grew up in Yorktown, Virginia, and remained there her entire life until she relocated to the Richmond area for school. Isis has two biological siblings and two step-siblings. Isis’ biological siblings are both older than her, one is her brother, and the other is her sister. Isis’ step-siblings are both younger than her and are her sisters. Isis is the middle child amongst all her siblings but is the only child in her household, as both of her older biological siblings share the same father and mother and live together.

In this video, Isis Lewis shares what it was like growing up as an interracial child amongst the tapestry of being raised by a single mother. Isis highlights the joys and challenges of her childhood growing up with both biological siblings as well as step-siblings. Additionally, Isis provides insights on what it is like to have biological siblings, but not live with them, an “absent, but present father”, and what it was like having some siblings who had both of the same parents and others who only shared one parent.

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S. Pearl Sharp talks about her sister

Playwright, film actress, stage actress, and poet S. Pearl Sharp (1942 – ) was among the cast of Gordon Parks’ The Learning Tree, and Minstrel Man. Sharp has also published six books and produced and directed eight films and stage plays.

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Sharp speaks about her younger sibling and the challenges faced by their parent’s divorce. Sharp speaks about her impacting her younger sibling by stepping into the mother role occasionally as their parents focused on their divorce. As Sharp shared her sister’s accomplishments she smiled and displayed a sense of accomplishment. Additionally she seems very proud of her sister and, as she comments, is very well pleased that her sister is a mother who has Black sons who have never done drugs or been to jail. While Sharp shares that she decided to not have children, she became a teacher and chose not to do a single adoption, which she comments is slightly connected to her mother being a single mother.

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Joyce Owens describes her relationship with her siblings

Joyce Owens Anderson is a Mixed-media artist. Joyce Owens Anderson (1947 – ) was an artist and art educator whose artwork was featured in many galleries and publications. She was curator of the Galleries Program at Chicago State University.

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Anderson begins this section of her interview by talking about some of the tension that existed between her brother and her step-sibling, but no conflict between her and her brother In fact she shares that her brother took the role of the protector in her life, assuming the role of her father. She also shares the important role of her older sister, as her mother traveled a lot, her sister took the motherly role, took care of her, and protected her. Additionally, since her sister was older than her when her sister got married and her mother needed to travel for her singing career Owens often opted to stay with her sister.

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Hugh C. Burroughs describes his relationship with his siblings

Foundation executive Hugh C. Burroughs (1940 – 2023) worked for the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, the Berry Gordy Family Foundation, and others during his philanthropic career. He also served as a member and chair of the Association of Black Foundation Executives.

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Burroughs begins his interview by mentioning that he does not make the distinction between half brothers or adopted siblings. To him, regardless of relationship, his siblings were his siblings, and he shares that they all have played an important role in his life. Burroughs speaks explicitly about his closeness with his 3 brothers and shares how, since their parents were divorced, Burroughs assisted with the parenting of his brothers by gathering them for meals. He concluded with how his brothers, then and now, seek him for council and look up to him because of the role that he played in parenting them.

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Charles Willie reflects on his siblings and his relationships with them