Library News
Young Lords Collection Gets Transcripts
September 11, 2025
We’re excited to share an update from our Institute of Museum and
Library Services (IMLS)-funded project!
With this grant, we created transcripts for 102 oral history
interviews in the Young Lords collection, a movement that began as a
Puerto Rican street gang and grew into a Civil Rights activist movement.
These interviews capture stories of Puerto Rican life in Chicago
in the 1960's, struggles with urban renewal, and the fight for Puerto
Rican independence.
By adding transcripts, we’ve made these powerful histories easier
to access for students, faculty, and researchers alike.
Fun fact: Jose “Cha Cha” Jimenez, founder of the Young Lords,
GVSU alum, and donor of the collection, conducted these interviews
(with our very own Dean Melanie Shell-Weiss!) and is highlighted in a
few of the featured photos.
If you're interested in learning more or exploring the interviews
you can visit the Young
Lords Digital Collection!