The Good Neighbor Interpreter

Students unveil the anniversary edition of The Good Neighbor Interpreter that they produced in October 2023 at a journalism camp at the McCall Neighborhood Center in El Paso.

This special edition of the Good Neighbor Reporter is presented by the McCall Neighborhood Center and the El Paso Museum of History with support from Chase Bank, the City of El Paso and Borderzine.

In early October, 2023, the McCall Center hosted a one-week journalism camp where El Paso-area high school students were able to recreate a special edition of The Good Neighbor Interpreter, a regional newspaper that Leona Ford Washington published with news about the Black community. The El Paso History museum sponsored the camp as part of the city’s 150th anniversary this year.

The camp was coordinated by Nora Rose of the El Paso Museum of History and Marcus McCoy of the McCall Center. June Straight of Parkland High School was camp instructor.

Student participants in the project

Emilio Escarcega, Parkland High School; Frances Gunn, El Paso High School; Lucia Haugh, El Paso High School; Daejah Mayhew, Parkland High School; Paz Ruizquez, Silva High School; Orlando Stamps, Franklin High School; Loryam Soto Aguilar, Parkland High School; Nevaeh Vasquez, Silva High School; Nicholaus Saenz, Parkland High School

The Good Neighbor Interpreter Stories

NAACP president: El Paso Chapter continues to grow, adapt with city challenges

By Frances Gunn, El Paso High School -- For over a century, El Paso’s Chapter of NAACP has been advocating for the rights of its citizens. But it’s far from staying in the past, as it’s been evolving with the city.
Historic churches continue community work

By Emilio Escarcega, Parkland High School -- In over a century of work, El Paso’s Shiloh Baptist Church, located on 3201 Frutas Avenue, has led numerous efforts for the well-being of the community. Pastor White, leader of the church attacks the conditions in which various individuals persist.
McCall Center manager reflects on tenure

By Lucia Haugh, El Paso High School -- She came to play cards, and over a decade later, Barbara Byrd is the first to tell you that the McCall center isn’t just fun and games. Byrd, referred to lovingly as Ms. Byrd, is the McCall Center manager and has been for over 10 years. She has commissioned countless renovations to this center, “from the outside in”. However, replacing windows and doors for the center is not why she became the manager.
Students make friends, history at journalism camp

By Frances Gunn, El Paso High School On Monday, October 9th, nine El Paso teens filed into the McCall center, located on 3231 Wyoming Ave, ready to learn about journalism and black history. However, this camp turned out to be much more than they could have imagined.
General Edward Greer shares life experiences, lessons

By Nevaeh Vasquez, Silva High School -- A man with great stories and incredible accomplishments, Major General Edward Greer is still commanding attention after being retired from the U.S. Army since 1976. In the small rooms of the McCall community center, Greer offsets his larger-than-life persona with light conversationa and jokes. Born on March 8, 1924, Greer grew up in West Virginia and like most people of color at the time, he was a target for racism and discrimination. While he was growing up, he was segregated and treated poorly.
Black El Pasoans who made history

This list was produced as part of the 2023 High School Journalism Camp at the McCall Center. The center hosted a one-week journalism camp where El Paso high school students publlished a special edition of The Good Neighbor Interpreter, a regional newspaper that McCall Center founder Leona Ford Washington once published with news about the Black community.