Our Street – Nostalgia Central

1 9 6 9 – 1 9 7 3 (USA)
56 x 30 minute episodes

This groundbreaking weekly PBS series from Maryland Public Television told the story of the Robinsons, a black family in East Baltimore, who lived amongst white neighbours who were not always understanding (and not exactly encouraged by the wary Robinsons).

The family comprised Mae and Bull Robinson, their three sons, Jet (Curt Stewart), Slick (Howard E Rollins Jr.), and 12-year-old Tony (Tyrone Jones), their daughter, Kathy (Saundra Sharp), and Grandma (Alfredine Parham aka Alfie Brown).

Mae (Barbara Mealy) was a dedicated and concerned mother. Though she worried a lot, she had a stabilising influence on the family.

Bull (initially Clayton Corbin, then Gene Cole) was a blue-collar worker, steady, serious and hard-working. A quiet man, he commanded respect from his children, and his word was law.

J.T. Robinson (Arthur French) was Mae’s half-brother.

First aired in November 1969, the series was conceived by the Urban Affairs Advisory Council of the Maryland Center for Public Broadcasting, both to provide entertainment and to help deprived families improve their lives by showing how to make use of the educational, social, political, and employment resources that existed in the community.

Syndicated to 20 stations around the US, Our Street introduced Baltimore to communities beyond Maryland while examining challenging universal themes.

Howard Rollins was diagnosed with AIDS in 1996 and died from lymphoma-related complications six weeks later on 8 December, aged just 46.

Barbara Mealy passed away on 4 September 2012 in Los Angeles. She was 80.

Saundra Sharp died on 11 October 2025, aged 82.

Mae Robinson
Barbara Mealy
Bull Robinson
Clayton Corbin (1)
Gene Cole (2)
Jet Robinson
Curt Stewart
Slick Robinson
Darryl F Hill (1)
Howard Rollins (2)
Tony Robinson
Tyrone Jones
Kathy Robinson
Saundra Sharp (S. Pearl Sharp)
 J.T. Robinson
Arthur French
Grandma Robinson
Alfredine Parham (Alfie Brown)
Cynthia
Janet League
Emily
Frances Foster
Mrs Ryder
Birdie Hale
Perlina
Pat Perkins