Fred Gilliam and Jerry Harris remember Vivien Thomas, who in the '60s ran a research lab at Johns Hopkins Hospital, helping invent surgical techniques — even though he didn't have a medical degree.

Jamie Olivieri and Yennie Neal-Achigbu have been inseparable since eighth grade. From annual Christmas gatherings to the death of a husband, the friends have helped each other through the good and the bad.

When Sandy Baker left her marriage, she and her daughter moved into a hotel. They were homeless for over 2 years, and that left them with what mattered: Those who loved them the most.

In the 1940s, Dr. Charles Drew was a surgeon and blood scientist, and today he is known as the “Father of Blood Banks.” His daughter, Dr. Charlene Drew Jarvis spoke with her son, Ernest Jarvis, to remember him and the impact of his work.

Mike Rudulph enlisted in the Marines when he was 20 years old. At the time, he hoped that the military environment would help "make him feel straight." This was during the era of “Dont Ask Dont Tell”.

When Mike got home from his first deployment, he met the man who would later become his husband, Neil Rafferty.

They spoke at StoryCorps about the beginning of their relationship.

Over 30 years ago, Latasha Harlins, age 15, was shot and killed by a store clerk.

The killing of Latasha Harlins helped set off the Los Angeles riots, which began on April 29, 1992, and lasted for five days. Latasha’s siblings, Dr. Christina Rogers and Vester Acoff, remember her as a loving sister, an honor roll student, and an aspiring lawyer with big dreams.

Eddie Chang had just finished his junior year in college and was spending some time at his friend’s house in Chicago, when he met his friend’s older sister, E.F. Wen.

What happened that week sparked a romance that would last them four decades — until E.F. died from colon cancer.

Eddie spoke with his daughter Tria to remember how it all started, and all that he still loves about his late wife.

Jade Rone grew up in foster care in Philadelphia, and spent the majority of her childhood living with one foster mother. When she was 17, her foster mom died, and she was placed in the home of Stacia Parker. The early months of their relationship were rough, as they both learned to trust each other.

Their connection eventually deepened into a mother-daughter relationship, with Stacia becoming a devoted grandmother to Jade’s two young children.

Jade and Stacia came to StoryCorps to remember when they first met.