Clara Carson oral history interview

Clara Carson is a local entrepreneur who started the Catawba Child Development Academy in Catawba County. Her day care will have been in operation 20 years in August 2003. The academy was started in Ms. Carson's church, Smyre's Chapel A.M.E. Zion Church, and stayed there for 10 years until she moved it to it's current location. The academy has kept up with it's students and tracks their performance throughout school and also which colleges they attend. Her coordinator at CCDA, Mr. Sam Tate, was the person who encouraged her to start the academy. Ms. Carter talks about how much the area has grown and the changes she has seen over the years. She talks about the importance of the church and the camp meeting in her life and in the life of the community.