These oral histories were collected as part of an interim course at Calvin College. The course was taught by Dr. Randal Jelks in January 2002, and focused on the Great Migration. Students conducted an oral history interview with Black women and men who were part of the migration. The interviews were generally conducted by groups of 2-3 students. Each student then wrote a paper summarizing the interview and what they learned from the process.

The people interviewed were mostly born in the 1910s to 1930s and were born in or lived in southern states such as Mississippi, Tennessee, Louisiana and Missouri. A few were also from Connecticut or Indiana. They moved north for various reasons and at different times. Some of them came straight to Grand Rapids, while others initially moved to other cities like Chicago or Detroit. The interviews focus on childhood memories, family, education, work and faith. The students asked questions about differences between living in the north and south, particularly pertaining to race relations. They also asked about the individual's experiences as Black men or women.