Kerry and Valerie Washington on Simpson Street in The Bronx, NY | Street You Grew Up On

Kerry’s mom is so elegant.

Kerry’s mom is so chill. Her responses are so direct, and concise, refined and calming. Her vibe is so unbothered, I looooved it.

I absolutely loved this episode. Your mom is the epitome of beauty and elegance. The apple 🍎 didn’t fall too far from the tree. Thank you for sharing your mom with us.

Kerry’s mom is an absolute delight

Wonderful , we love you Kerry & Dr. Washington . I am s retired NYC math teacher & had the opportunity to sake one of your African- American history classes at Lehman College in the Bronx , New York. It was a joy & pleasure being in your class. I remember your large afro & it is a honor to know that you are my sorority sister : Alpha Kappa Alpha ...GOD Bless you & the family. ..

So very nice to see Val speaking about growing up in the Bronx. I too grew up in the Bronx and proud of it. My friends were of all ethnicity and it was never considered an issue. We were all the same. Growing up on Tiffany St. (just a few blocks away) enabled me to be on and around Simpson daily. Val's kid sister was one on my "best friends" and I visited their home often. I have fond memories of the whole family including her MOM. Thanks for bringing me back to those days - they were the best days and great memories!

Listening to your mom takes me back to 712 Beck Street near Leggett. Same neighborhood and my mom, Ruth Miles purchased a Brownstone in 1951 and moved her parents and brothers family in. She graduated from NYU in 1943. This was before she married my dad. Bert Miles who was friends with your dad. Youe dad, Earl Washington was one of the last people who visited my father in the hospital before he passed. My family members lived there from 1951 until 2003. It was a very healthy and warm inclusive neighborhood. Thank you for memorializing the Longwood section of the South Bronx in this way!

Wow my Mother will be 97 on the 26th. We talk all the time. She talks about her childhood in Georgia all the time. I will video her on special occasions but never videoed an in depth conversation similar to this. She usually will not allow me to video her at all. I can remember the stories of her childhood the same way Kerry's Mother shared here. I actually have a picture of my Mother in the middle of the cotton field picking and she was pregnant. My Mother also tells of how she use to dance in jitter-bug dancing contest. She was the youngest child. When my Mother retired we found out the birthday that we always celebrated was not really her birthday she was actually born on January 26th however the Midwife didn't turn it in until February 13th and now we happily and lovingly celebrate two birthdays. LOL Thank you Kerry. I will be having a conversation that will be a video just like this with My Mother who is my Everything ♡♡

Very relaxed, engaging interview, flowed so naturally, your Mom has such a sweet candor and such a quiet strength, great job, Kerry!

I'm glad she got over her nervousness, she spoke so freely during this interview. She's a great historian of her time and represented the women of her time very well. I hollered at 'Big Boy Simpson'!!!

You mom is a beautiful lady inside and out! What a Blessing You will have this history to cherish forever Bless you . 💐❤️

As a former New Yorker and Bronxite it's nice to see her pay homage to Simpson St.

Thank you for sharing your mom's story. I grew up on President Street in Brooklyn, and I do agree that in the 70's it was much different. There was a sense of family with our neighbors, who hailed from different Caribbean islands. I look forward to more in your series Kerry.

I still live a block away from Simpson. You have no idea how much of an inspiration you are to me!

I loved this interview, the history she gave us is wonderful

Wow! Thank you for sharing this discussion. My mom and my late father grew up in The Bronx. This inspires me to have a discussion with my mom. I really loved this content. And, thank you for the quick lesson on the children’s museum. As a Bronx “legacy” supporting the museum would be my honor.

Coming from the Caribbean and a child of the 60s, i relate to her talking about community, our neighbors had a hand in raising us, I miss that in this era we're living in. So glad you interviewed your mom, everybody story matters.

I love the vulnerability and honesty of this conversation.

I presently teach on Simpson St. in the South Bronx. I have been at the elementary school for over thirty years. Wow! What a joy it was for me to listen to the conversation of two strong woman. I greet my students and day with…”Hello Greatness.” I just loved this interview. My mother was a proud Afro Latina. My daughter auditioned for Ms. Washington for a project……hopefully “Simpson Street” will someday be part of my daughter’s journey. “Simpson Street” continues to inspire numerous gifts, that I get to work with each day. Endless blessings and a healthy New Year!

This interview was a complete joy to watch and so relevant. What a blessing! 🙏🏾🙏🏾🙏🏾Thanks!💙