Dr. Edward Ellis is a native of Charlotte and a long time resident of the Washington Heights neighborhood. In this interview, he discusses his childhood in Washington Heights during the 1950s, recalling that neighbors knew one another and that the children were raised by everyone in the community. Dr. Ellis recalls his parents' heavy emphasis on education, which influenced him to attend UNC Charlotte for undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in education. He discusses how his first year at UNC Charlotte was his first experience attending an integrated school, and his attempts to assimilate. He recounts serving many years as an educator, principal, and administrator in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools system. Dr. Ellis also details the change in Washington Heights' housing patterns and community members, particularly its children. He describes how important the Excelsior Club, the Ritz Theater, and the Grand Theater were to the community as they provided an important social function. He also notes the brief existence of the Black Panther Party on Beatties Ford Rd, and their outreach efforts in the community. Dr. Ellis discusses his belief that Washington Heights should be a historic landmark due to the neighborhood's rich history.