A total of 15 individuals were interviewed. The collection includes one to three student papers on each individual. The papers summarize the interviews, place each interview in the context of the Great Migration and discuss what the students learned from the interview experience.

Also included are recorded interviews for 7 of the individuals. The interviews were recorded on cassette tapes or microcassette tapes. Recorded interviews are not available for Martha Dean, Bernyce/Bernice Jones, Fannie Mae Jones, Lee Ella Merrit, Amma Mae Polly, Luecile Gosa Posey and Mae Turner.

The collection also includes several brief papers written for other class assignments. These are included with the student's interview paper.