Reverend Shirley Sims
Shirley was born and raised in Flagstaff when the city was integrated. She attended the segregated Dunbar Elementary School until its closure in 1953. Sims was a member of the NAACP, and was one of ten students at a sit-in at El Charro Resturant in 1958. She was just 14.
In 1962, Sims was involved in a student walkout while attending Flagstaff High School. After a racist event occurred during her prom, students organized a walkout of their school in protest.
"I’ve always been that person
that would take a stand for
what is right, or for someone
I felt couldn’t speak for
themselves. Doesn’t matter
what color. That’s just who
I am."
- Shirley Sims
Courtesy of Jake Bacon
Sims & Southside
And could you introduce yourself?
Sims: My name is Shirley B. Hoggro Sims. I am the daughter of the late, Julius Hoggro, and Beulah Emery Hoggro. I'm the youngest of four children [...] I am married to James Travis Sims, and our sons are Terrence T. Sims, and Shannon D. Sims. And we have been married for 55 years.
What is your first memory of the Southside?
It would have been. Probably my earliest recollection would probably be three or four years of age. Because I remember wanting to go to school. And that school was Dunbar School, and my siblings all went to school, and I had a desire to attend school, at that time, so I'm, I'm thinking I was probably three or four years of age.
And did your family or friends also live on the Southside ?
Yes, all of my friends and family lived in on the Southside essentially. Yeah, it was a community where most everyone in your community and your neighbors helped each other. Very helpful. It was genuine love for one another.
The Dunbar School that Sims attended
The Dunbar School that Sims attended
The El Charro Cafe in 1963
the Green Book travel guide published during the segregation era that identified businesses that would accept African American customers.
The Dunbar school was the school that was designated for Black students.
The El Charro Cafe in 1963
Sims discusses "Ebony Flames"
[Ebony Flames's] purpose was being able to provide some socialization in the community. We started out with as many as 12 to 14 ladies at one time. And so we would plan different events in the city, of the community. One of the events that we sponsored each year was a prayer breakfast in the month of February. And our prayer breakfast was held at the Little America. And we sold tickets for that particular event and we were very successful with that. We also had a Fourth of July picnic at Thorpe Park that we held annually. We also sponsored a Christmas party. That was another annual event that we sponsored in the city of Flagstaff.
And who were the people who were a part of your Ebony Flames. How were you selected or invited?
There was Esther Richards…, Annie Watkins she was a part of it. Barbara Sweet. Rosetta Maguire, Vira Peeler, Eloise Combs, Murtis Wright [my sister]… Did I say Barbara Sweet? Vernon Neely, myself, Jeffie Lockett. And there’s another ... I don't recall her name at this time. Okay. But those are the ones that remember…
How did they come up with the name Ebony Flames?
We wanted a name that would stand out in our community; that would reflect our culture and our heritage. But we also wanted to be a part of the whole community—for people to be a part of what we were sponsoring.
Did you have Ebony Flames in your singing group?
Yes, yes, there were. There were a number of us from First Missionary Baptist Church, I would say a greater part, when I look back at it, was from our church.
What is the approximate date you say would be the run of the Ebony Flames?
The Ebony Flames, we probably organized the Ebony Flames--In the late 80s, late 80s into the 90s.