Sharece Johnson

This interview was conducted with Sharece Johnson on May 21st, 2018 in her kitchen in Hudson, NY. In the interview, Sharece, age 25, discusses growing up in Far Rockaway, Queens, NY, just off the A train and then her move to Hudson with her sister at the age of 8. She describes the process of settling down and making new friends that are still a huge part of her life today. Sharece details her experience at the University of Albany, and the initial difficulty she had with choosing courses and making friends in a new city. Eventually, she was able to flourish in school and credits this to choosing to study Communications and Music, and meeting her friend Vaughn, who she is still close to. She reflects on gentrification in Hudson and the role that “weekenders” play in eroding community connection and the simple act of “saying hello” to someone on the street. She is intent on ensuring that the integrity and diversity of Hudson remain intact, and talks about her wishes of tourists coming to visit during cultural events in the city, like Flag Day or the Bangladeshi Festival. Sharece also reflects on her love of music and working with children, and towards the end of the interview ruminates on what kind of “home” she wants to build in the future (near a train).

This interview may be of interest for those wanting to learn from someone who grew up in Hudson, NY in the 2000s to the present, and for those seeking more knowledge about the lived experience of gentrification, music, and early Childhood education.