Found 76 collections related to African Americans -- Civil rights

A founding member of Students for a Democratic Society, Betty Garman helped organize the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party's challenge to be seated at the 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City. This collection consists of Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee-related materials created or collected by Betty Garman. less

Roberta "Bobbi" Yancy attended Barnard College in 1959, one of only two Black students in her class. She often volunteered at the Southern Christian Leadership Conference's New York office headed up by Jack O'Dell. During her sophomore year, Yancy helped organize, and chaired, a Race Relations Committee on campus. In late 1961, she spearheaded a regional civil rights action conference that laid the groundwork for continued northern student activism. Yancy's involvement with the Race Relations Committee taught her invaluable administrative and organizing skills that she brought south when she started working as a campus coordinator for the YWCA in 1962. She joined Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee's staff in 1963, serving as both a campus coordinator and a conference organizer. One of her first SNCC tasks was to organize a three-day leadership training institute at Howard University. The conference focused on the economic exploitation of poor Black southerners. Yancy's role in SNCC was largely administrative, but she also participated in direct action protests in Atlanta, including a sit-in at SNCC's Atlanta office objecting to the fact that women almost always took the minutes at organizational meetings. Yancy also helped stage a sit-in at a Toddle House Restaurant in Atlanta, where she and other protesters were refused service and jailed. The protests gained national attention, and within weeks, the Dobbs Corporation (the restaurant's parent company) agreed to desegregate its businesses. In 1964, James Forman asked Yancy to head up SNCC's fundraising efforts in New York City, where she remained until 1968. She later went on to hold a leadership position at the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture in New York City. The Roberta Yancy Civil Rights collection contains material generated by the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and other organizations. The collection contains historical data; correspondence; reports; writings; speeches by Stokely Carmichael, James Forman and John Lewis; and publications, manuscripts of freedom songs, and calendars produced by the SNCC. Also included is printed material from the Child Development Group of Mississippi (1966-67), Council of Federated Organizations (1964), Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party (1964), and the Southern Education and Research Institute (n.d.); a list of "Black Elected Officials in the Southern States" compiled by the Voter Education Project of the Southern Regional Council (1969); and a "National Roster of Black Elected Officials" from the Joint Center for Political Studies (1971). less

The Bureau of Social Science Research (BSSR), which existed from 1950-1986, was a non-profit research agency created to conduct research in basic and applied social science. Albert E. Gollin (1930-l999), a media sociologist, was a research associate of the BSSR. The Bureau of Social Science research files are comprised of materials from the two sociological studies for which Albert Gollin was the principal investigator, the March on Washington (l963) and the Poor People's Campaign (l968). less

This collection consists of assorted printed material gathered by photographer Robert E. "Bob" Fletcher concerning the civil rights movement between 1962-1967. Included is printed material for the March on Washington, 1963; Free Southern Theatre, 1967; Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee, 1963-1964; Freedom Summer WATS Line Messages, 1964; and Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party, 1964. Also included are three issues of Broadside Topical Song Magazine; and other miscellaneous newspaper clippings. less

The Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee financial records consist of accounting and bookkeeping documents mostly from 1962-1964; these documents include vouchers, expense reports, ledgers, receipts, vendor bills, and utility bills. Donor records are filed by state, while most of the utility and vendor bills are from SNCC offices in Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi. There are a few documents that are not finance-related, including a SNCC brochure, a Yale Civil Rights Council newsletter, a Newsweek article reprint, and staff and supporter correspondence. Various topics and projects are represented, such as voter registration; the Miles College Work Study, a literacy effort; the Freedom Singers, a group who educated communities about civil rights through song; the Arkansas Project, which fought for desegregation in schools and promoted voter registration; and the Council of Federated Organizations, which organized Freedom Summer to register as many Black voters as possible in Mississippi. Several civil rights leaders are featured as well, including John Lewis, Stokely Carmichael, and James Forman, among others. less

Harry Haywood was an African American member of the Communist Party who became a leading proponent of the theory that Blacks in the South, who were oppressed by Jim Crow laws and a system of serfdom (sharecropping), constituted a separate nation and had the right of self-determination. The Harry Haywood papers, 1948-1981, consist of typescripts of articles, speeches and book manuscripts; correspondence; photocopies of journal articles; and materials related to the Communist Party USA and several of its offshoots. less

The all-Black 99th Pursuit Squadron was created by the U.S. Army in 1941, with the proviso that the pilots would be strictly segregated. The airfield at Tuskegee, Alabama, was chosen as their training site, thus they became known as the Tuskegee Airmen. The Tuskegee Airmen Trainees: Freeman Field Mutiny collection consists of documents relating to a case of racial discrimination that resulted in the arrest of over a hundred African American officers and their subsequent exoneration. less

The W.E.B Du Bois collection consists of a small body of speeches, articles, correspondence, and related material primarily authored by Du Bois. Of special interest is a typescript, with editorial comments, of the first two chapters of Du Bois's autobiography Dusk of Dawn: An Essay Toward an Autobiography of a Race Concept (1940-1942). The collection also includes a typescript of an article entitled "Miscegenation" (1935). There are thirteen speeches and a book review, ranging in subject matter from "The Talented Tenth", a tribute to Dr. Carter F. Woodson, race relations, labor issues, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Mahatma Gandhi. One of the speeches, "What the Negro Wants in 1948", was delivered at a meeting of the NAACP. less

James Reese Europe, Jr., son of the well-known African-American musician James Reese Europe (1881-1919) and dancer Bessie Simms, was a seaman in the Merchant Marines during World War II. In 1942 the Marine Firemen's, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association attempted to have Europe discharged in direct violation of Presidential Order 8802 of the Fair Employment Act. With the support of the War Manpower Commission and many on board the ship, Europe was permitted to continue in his position. Over time he moved up from wiper (entry-level position) to deck engineer, and with his captain's recommendation he attended officer's candidate school and returned to sea as an ensign in the U.S. Maritime Service. By the time of his discharge in 1946, Europe had been promoted to lieutenant and had received recognition for his work in the Middle East, Pacific and Atlantic war zones. The James Reese Europe, Jr. Papers consists primarily of photocopies of documents related to a case of discrimination during World War II in direct violation of Executive Order 8802, involving James Reese Europe, Jr. and the Marine Firemen, Oilers, Watertenders and Wipers Association in San Francisco (1942). Several documents provide the details of the case from the perspective of the Bay Area Council Against Discrimination, which assisted Europe in presenting his case to the Committee on Fair Employment Practices and to the War Manpower Commission. The union's viewpoint is also represented. Included are originals and copies of certificates, awards, and discharge papers, in addition to letters and documents dealing with his termination from the New York City Police Department on charges of alleged subversive activities related to the aforementioned discrimination case. less

This collection consists largely of correspondence; included are letters from Joel E. Spingarn to Amy Spingarn written during the 1914-1915 National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) speaking tour; letters to Amy Spingarn regarding researcher access to the Joel E. Spingarn collections at the Moorland Collection at Howard University and the James Weldon Johnson Collection at Yale University; and letters to W.E.B. Du Bois. Additional material includes information regarding the opening of Joel E. Spingarn High School in Washington, D.C.; a 1898 speech; NAACP printed material; articles by and about Arthur Spingarn, Joel's brother; a typescript by Jacques Roumain on Vodun (voodoo); and other printed material. less

The J. Alfred Smith, Sr. Papers primarily document Smith's roles as author, pastor of the Allen Baptist Temple Church (ATBC) and his activities with the Progressive National Baptist Convention, Inc (PNBC) as well as other church organizations. Over half of the papers document Smith's career during the 1970s and '80s as pastor of ATBC and president of the PNBC. Smith's papers include very little documentation on his career and professional activities during the 1950s and '60s, his vice presidency and presidency of the Progressive State Baptist Convention of California and Nevada headquartered in Los Angeles, or his first and second vice presidencies of the PNBC. less

A former editor of the Daily Worker and member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party, U.S.A., James E. Jackson was educated at Howard University, Goddard College, and Moscow University. A former trade-union organizer and co-founder of the Southern Negro Youth Congress, he participated as a field researcher in the Carnegie-Myrdal study, "The Negro in America". He was indicted under the Smith Act in the 1950s, and lived for several years as a political refugee, until the reversal of the verdict against him and his co-defendants. He contributed many theoretical articles to the literature of the communist world, especially on issues of labor, the civil rights movement, and the national question as it related to Blacks in the United States. This collection consists of speeches, articles and essays on communism, world politics, and the civil rights movement in the United States, published mainly in Political Affairs, the theoretical organ of the Communist Party, USA. Also includes are Jackson's master's thesis, "The Dialectics of National Liberation" (1973), and "Stalin's Thought Illuminates: Problems of the Negro Freedom Struggle", written under the pseudonym of Charles P. Mann. (1953). less

Papers covering Smythe's professional career centering upon research, writing, and university teaching in the fields of sociology and anthropology, with special emphasis on East Asian and African studies. Correspondence including that written about his fieldwork in Nigeria. Smythe's manuscripts for articles, books, book reviews, and speeches pertaining to Africa, Nigeria, Japan, and race relations in the United States. Preliminary data relates to Hugh and Mabel Smythe's book, THE NEW NIGERIAN ELITE (1960). Material relating to Smythe's professional interests and activities includes syllabi, bibliographies, and lecture notes pertaining to his teaching at Yamaguchi National University (Yamaguchi Daigaku) in Japan and Brooklyn College. Also included is material illustrating Smythe's extra-academic interests including United Nations affairs, Crossroads Africa, and civil rights activities. The papers of Mabel Smythe (Hugh Symthe's wife) include a scrapbook, manuscripts, and some correspondence. Of particular interest is her research material on segregation in education, which was used by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People legal staff in the 1954 Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Board of Education barring segregation in public schools. Also, manuscripts of articles and speeches, and some correspondence by W.E.B. Du Bois including "Economic Illiteracy," 1947, and "Race Relations in the U.S.," 1948. less

Henry C. Bunton's papers consist of personal papers, writings, chaplaincy records, Christian Methodist Episcopal Church records, and correspondence. These papers principally document Bunton's role as a bishop with the C.M.E. Church. Church records consist of copies of sermons, office files, correspondence, denominational records, pamphlets and related material from his years in the ministry. Denominational records include correspondence with other bishops from the Christian Methodist Episcopal Church such as J. Claude Allen, Norris S. Curry, Chester Kirkendoll, Elisha P. Murchison, P. Randolph Shy, and P. Julian Smith regarding plans for meetings, annual conferences, expansion of the church and other church activities. There is also correspondence with individual pastors, and officers from the many member churches in Bunton's district regarding requests for assignments and transfers, securing property and other church business, as well as financial reports. Among the churches represented are Israel Metropolitan Church in Greenville, South Carolina; Mount Olive Cathedral in Memphis, Tennessee; and Russell Memorial Church in Durham, North Carolina. less

The James S. Watson Papers, 1913-1991, document his career as a judge, his legal decisions and opinions, his numerous civic and community activities, and his personal and family life. The Papers consist of correspondence, legal documents, minutes, writings, financial records, clippings and printed material. The Personal Papers include biographical material and correspondence to and from family, friends, and acquaintances, both in Jamaica and the United States. Letters from son James to his parents while serving during World War II are located in the Personal Papers and the Family Papers series where additional family correspondence is filed. Although material prior to 1930 is sketchy, the Professional Series documents the entirety of Watson's working career and his electoral campaigns. Of special interest in this series are two files located in the General File sub-series which deal with cases filed by the Newspaper Guild of New York against The New York Amsterdam News in 1936 and 1937, respectively, regarding the firing of city editor Ted Poston and reporter Henry Lee Moon in 1936 and editor Obie McCullum and sports writer and theater critic Roi Ottley in 1937. On both occasions Watson acted as arbitrator. Watson's professional life is further documented in the Speeches and Writings series, as is his role in the Harlem and West Indian communities which is also recorded in the collection's Civic and Community Activities series. Overall, the Civic and Community Activities series contain correspondence, requests for aid, meeting notices, minutes and reports from the Harlem Branch of the Young Men's Christian Association, the Harlem Adult Education Committee and various labor and civil rights groups. The General File series contain requests for immigration and financial assistance as well as correspondence from Claude McKay and editor A.M.Wendell Malliet with whom Watson consulted regarding a projected autobiography. less

Victoria (Vicki) Garvin was an African-American trade union and political activist as well as a pan-Africanist and internationalist. The Vicki Garvin papers document aspects of Garvin's work as a trade union organizer, especially among African-Americans in the 1950s; her teaching experience in Shanghai (1964-1970); and her support of communism both in the United States and China. less

High school teacher and civil rights advocate in New York City. Correspondence, political files, and printed material documenting Lane's opposition to racial discrimination and war. Includes letters from World War II soldiers relating to discrimination in the military, and material on the 14th amendment, National Committee on Rural Schools, and the Socialist Party, on whose ticket Lane ran for office. less

The Lester A. Walton Papers document his diversified careers as a journalist, diplomat, and civic leader and consist of personal papers, material on his entertainment and journalistic careers, his tenure as the American representative to Liberia, his political activities, general correspondence, and printed matter. less

Personal papers consisting of correspondence and other material related to Schein's role and activities in Mississippi, a personal account of the Summer Project, and an incomplete article about her experiences as a volunteer. Four participating organizations of the Council of Federated Organizations (COFO) are represented through speeches, field reports, minutes, fact sheets, news clippings, and various printed matter, as well as data concerning the Freedom School operated by the COFO. Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party material contains documents related to the August 6, 1964 State Convention of the party which elected delegates to the 1964 National Convention of the Democratic Party in Atlantic City, N.J.; draft minutes; membership lists of nominating and resolution committees; voter rolls from the National Convention; and one copy of the Mississippi Freedom Democratic Party Newsletter related to the Congressional challenge. less

Teacher, labor leader. Richard F. Parrish was one of the founding members of the National Afro-American Labor Council, formerly the Negro American Labor Council. The Richard Parrish Papers (Additions 1) consist primarily of the records of the National Afro-American Labor Council (NALC), of which Parrish served as treasurer (1960-1974) and president until it ceased its operation in 1976 (1974-1976). less

The Richard Parrish Papers, 1950-1975, consist of correspondence, transcripts of speeches, minutes and convention proceedings, photographs, articles, newspaper clippings, and other printed material describing the activities of labor and civil rights organizations of which Parrish was an officer or member (primarily, the National Afro-American Labor Council). In addition, information about Parrish's teaching career is included. less

Sammy Price was a recording artist, house pianist, recording supervisor, and band leader at Decca Records in New York. Additionally, he was the Executive Director of Neighborhood Board no. 2. The Sammy Price Papers, 1929-1992, consist of materials pertaining to his musical and political career. less

Claudia Cumberbatch Jones rose through the ranks of the Communist Party-USA to become one of its leaders. Between 1948 and 1955, she was arrested several times and imprisoned for violations of the Smith Act. She was deported to England in December 1955. Jones spent the last fourteen years of her life actively participating in the struggles of oppressed and poor people throughout the world. At the end of her life, Jones had earned the titles of "political theorist" and "activist" nationally and internationally. The Claudia Jones Research collection consists of material compiled by author Marika Sherwood during her research for a biography on Jones entitled Claudia Jones: A Life in Exile. less

The Arthur Ashe papers document the wide range of Ashe's political, athletic, business, and philanthropic activities. Although they contain some significant material from the 1960s and 1970s, the papers are concentrated more heavily on Ashe's activities following his retirement from competitive tennis in 1980. less

Research files on organizations, individuals, and subjects collected for Kennedy's books, I RODE WITH THE KU KLUX KLAN (1954) and SOUTHERN EXPOSURE (1946), and newspaper and magazine articles. Includes correspondence, transcripts of articles, first person accounts of Klan meetings, notes, newspaper and magazine clippings, and printed material including publications. Subjects include the Klan in Georgia and Tennessee; Klan leaders such as J.B Stoner; the Columbians, a Georgia white power group; the Christian Americans and the right-to-work movement in the 1940s; and Georgia politics, including Eugene and Herman Tallmadge. less