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In Memoriam
UNC-TV mourns the loss of one of our great North Carolina governors - James Eubert Holshouser, Jr.
Episode 1: An Officer and a Scholar
Biographical Conversations with Henry Frye traces the future statesman’s journey from farmer’s son to law school graduate. The eighth of Walter and Pearl Frye’s twelve children, Henry Eli Frye was born in August 1932 in Ellerbe, North Carolina, and spent his early years toiling on his father’s farm.
Biographical Conversations with Henry E. Frye
Born in 1932 on a small farm in Ellerbe, NC, Henry E. Frye overcame the odds to become the first African American appointee to the North Carolina Supreme Court, becoming Chief Justice in 1999. Discover his inspiring life story directly from the source on Biographical Conversations with Henry Frye, airing over three consecutive Sundays, only on UNC-TV!
H. Frye talks about his father's legacy.
Henry Frye describes how his father perceived his legal accomplishments. Henry also describes his father's personality and pride for farming.
H. Frye's impressions of registering African Americ
Henry Frye shares how he grew up hearing and reading about the NAACP efforts to fight for voting rights and freedom for African Americans. Henry recalls his early decision to be a lawyer so that he could help others in need of legal counsel.
H. Frye shares his feelings about Richard Nixon
Henry Frye describes his discouraging feeling when Richard Nixon won the presidency of the United States. Henry also talks about his excitement for George Wallace, third-party candidate, splitting the electorate vote.
H. Frye describes his feelings John F. Kennedy's death
Henry Frye talks about his feelings after hearing of President John F. Kennedy's assassination. Henry also share how everyone, including himself, not knowing what to expect from society after the president's death.
H. Frye recalls UNC Law School first African American
Henry Frye recalls where he was when UNC Law School admitted the first African American students to the law program. Henry also shares how he became friends and admirer of Kenneth Lee and Harvey Beech, who were two of the first African American students to be admitted to UNC Law School
H. Frye on being elected Chairman-Guilford Delegation
Henry Frye share his experience as Chairman of the Guilford Delegation of NC Representatives. Henry also talks about working with Guilford residents, other representatives and senators to accomplish a lot for Guilford County.
H. Frye's thoughts on spending time with family.
Henry Frye talks about his decision to spend time away from family to build his law practice and a political career. Henry also expresses regret for not spending more time with his kids during their early childhood days.
H. Frye talks about consolidating UNC 16 campuses.
Henry Frye recalls his participation on the Higher Education Committee who created the uidance and governing standards for the UNC 16 campus system. Henry also talks about the various questions the committee had to address before the consolidation was finalized. Henry also describes the advantages and disadvantages for the consolidation.
H. Frye's impressions of Governor Jim Holshouser.
Henry Frye shares his thoughts of Jim Holshouser running for Governor of North Carolina. Henry also talks about working with Jim Holshouser in the legislature, prior to Jim Holshouser being the governor.
H. Frye talks about Nixon's Southern Strategy
Henry Frye describes the Southern strategy that Richard Nixon employed to gain enough votes to win Democratic states in the race for president. Henry shares how the strategy didn't win North Carolina, but a Republican candidate did win the NC governorship.
PT. 3: H. Frye on being selected to the NC Supreme Court
Henry Frye shares his surprised feelings when Governor Jim Hunt selected him to serve on the NC Supreme Court. Henry also recalls having to ask his wife before accepting Governor Hunt's offer. He also had to decide whether to suspend building up his law practice for the opportunity to be a part of the NC Supreme Court.
PT. 3: H. Frye's thought Rhoda Billings as Chief Justice.
Henry Frye explains why Governor Martin select Rhoda Billings, a Republican, to be Chief Justice of the NC Supreme Court. Henry also explains why Governor Martin's decision to choose a Republican for Chief Justice is part of political tradition.
PT. 3: H. Frye's experience with first court opinion.
Henry Frye talks about his disappointing experience with writing his first case opinion as an NC Supreme Court Justice. Henry shares how his first opinion writing drew the attention of Justice Martin.
PT. 3: H. Frye describes how he got neutrality in hearing
Henry Frye talks about keep neutral on Supreme Court case by being a good listener to both sides of cases. Henry also shares how important it is for Supreme Court justices to decide cases before hearing all the facts.
PT. 3: H. Frye shares his thoughts on Bill Clinton winning.
Henry Frye shares his thoughts on Bill Clinton winning presidency in 1992. Henry also shares why Jim Hunt was the best candidate to win NC Governor in 1992.
PT. 3: H. Frye explains how he maintained impartiality.
Henry Frye shares the difficulty with maintaining impartiality in a partisan atmosphere. Henry also admits that impartiality is very difficult, but one must keep striding to achieve it.
PT. 3: H. Frye on H. Frye, Jr.'s decision to be a Lawyer.
Henry Frye talks about his son, Henry Frye, Jr, decision to pursue a legal career after working several years as a Social Worker. Henry also expresses his excitement for his son’s decision to pursue a legal career.
PT. 3: H. Frye describes running against I. Beverly Lake.
Henry Frye shares his thoughts on running against I. Beverly Lake, Jar for the Chief Justice of the NC Supreme Court. Henry also expresses his optimism in winning against I. Beverly Lake, Jr, despite Lakes name being well know because of his father’s notoriety.
H. Frye's father's advice to pursue an education.
Henry Frye talks about his experience cutting slabs of wood for the family home stove. Henry also reveals why his father would joke about Henry being physically to slow to work and make a living in farming. Henry's father advises him to attend school so he could make a living doing something other than farming.
H. Frye describes relationship with his father
Henry Frye shares why his father, Walter Frye, didn't believe in talking a lot. Henry's father felt Henry should learn how to work on the family farm by watching, not by verbally telling Henry what to do.
H. Frye's mother's desire for him to be a preacher
Henry Frye shares his mother's dream of him being a church preacher. Henry talks about his mother encouraging him to attend Sunday school on a regular base. Henry also shares how his mother and the neighborhood hold preachers in high esteem.
In Memoriam
Gov. James E. Holshouser, Jr.
Episode 1: An Officer and a Scholar
Show one traces the future statesman’s journey from a farmer’s son to law school graduate.
Biographical Conversations with Henry E. Frye
Coming Sunday, June 16!
H. Frye talks about his father's legacy.
Henry Frye describes how his father perceived Henry's legal accomplishments.
H. Frye's impressions of registering African Americ
Henry Frye shares how he grew up reading about the NAACP efforts to fight for voting right
H. Frye shares his feelings about Richard Nixon
Henry Frye describes his feelings when Richard Nixon won the presidency.
H. Frye describes his feelings John F. Kennedy's death
Henry Frye talks about his feelings after hearing oft President John F. Kennedy's death
H. Frye recalls UNC Law School first African American
Henry Frye recalls where he was when UNC Law School admitted the first African American
H. Frye on being elected Chairman-Guilford Delegation
H. Frye share his experience as Chairman of the Guilford Delegation of NC Representatives.
H. Frye's thoughts on spending time with family.
Henry Frye talks about spending time away from family to build his law practice.
H. Frye talks about consolidating UNC 16 campuses.
Henry Frye recalls his participation on the Higher Ed. Committee, creating the UNC system.
H. Frye's impressions of Governor Jim Holshouser.
Henry Frye shares his thoughts of Jim Holshouser running and voted as Governor of N. C.
H. Frye talks about Nixon's Southern Strategy
Henry Frye describes the strategy that Richard Nixon used to win Democratic states.
PT. 3: H. Frye on being selected to the NC Supreme Court
Henry Frye on Governor Jim Hunt selecting him to serve on the NC Supreme Court
PT. 3: H. Frye's thought Rhoda Billings as Chief Justice.
Henry Frye explains why Governor Martin chose Rhoda Billings to be Chief Justicet.
PT. 3: H. Frye's experience with first court opinion.
Henry Frye talks about writing his first opinion as an Justice.
PT. 3: H. Frye describes how he got neutrality in hearing
Henry Frye talks about keep neutral on Supreme Court case by being a good listener.
PT. 3: H. Frye shares his thoughts on Bill Clinton winning.
Henry Frye shares his thoughts on Bill Clinton winning presidency in 1992.
PT. 3: H. Frye explains how he maintained impartiality.
Henry Frye shares the difficulty with maintaining impartiality in a partisan atmosphere.
PT. 3: H. Frye on H. Frye, Jr.'s decision to be a Lawyer.
Henry Frye talks about his son, Henry Frye, Jr, decision to pursue a legal career.
PT. 3: H. Frye describes running against I. Beverly Lake.
Henry Frye shares thoughts on running against I. Beverly Lake, Jr for the Chief Justice
H. Frye's father's advice to pursue an education.
Henry Frye talks about his experience sawing slabs of wood for the family home stove.
H. Frye describes relationship with his father
Henry Frye shares why his father didn't believe in talking a lot while working on the farm
H. Frye's mother's desire for him to be a preacher
Henry Frye shares his mother's dream of him being a local church preacher.
Featured Guests - Web Resources - Watch Full Episodes Online
In this ongoing interview series, UNC-TV's Shannon Vickery provides one-on-one biographical conversations with the Tar Heel State's most influential and important figures.
Program Description
North Carolina is a state rich in history and tradition. And over the decades and centuries since its inception, the state has produced artists, writers, politicians and athletes that have erupted onto the national scene. UNC-TV captures the biographical reminiscences of these extraordinary North Carolinians whose impact and vision have earned them national prominence and a place in history. These one-on-one conversations provide a rare and revealing look at storied North Carolinians, offering unfiltered conversations with exceptional individuals telling their life stories. The series pairs rare vintage and contemporary photographs with these revealing interviews to help viewers visualize the people, places and events that defined the times of these treasured Tar Heels.
Biographical Conversations with... is an ongoing original production of UNC-TV and is funded by a generous grant from the A.J. Fletcher Foundation. The mission of the A.J. Fletcher Foundation is to support non-profit organizations in their endeavors to enrich the lives and well being of people in North Carolina. The Foundation was established as a result of the generosity of the late Alfred Johnston Fletcher (1887-1979). Although its primary focus has traditionally been on education, communications and the arts, the Foundation's board considers requests from agencies and organizations addressing a wide variety of social issues and charitable endeavors.