{"value"=>"<p>This series (.8 lin. ft.), contains letters exchanged between Bonds, her parents, other family members, friends, and professional associates. It is divided into three subseries: Family, Friends and Professional.</p> <p>The FAMILY subseries (.4 lin. ft.) is comprised of correspondence between Bonds and her close family members. There are several letters from her father Monroe Alpheus Majors, notable in his own right, as a physician, civil rights activist and author. The letters from her father are somewhat difficult to decipher as he had become blind later in his life and appears to have typed them himself. Majors' letters to his daughter shed light on their relationship and his concerns as he nears the end of his life. Several letters to Bonds' mother Estella and her husband Lawrence Richardson are part of his correspondence. In general, the letters between Bonds and her mother, aunts, husband and daughter document her everyday life, family news, her travels and activities, and her musical plans and desires.</p> <p>The Friends subseries (.1 lin. ft.) contains assorted letters to and from some of Bonds' friends. Much of the correspondence is about daily life and travel plans. Most notable are letters from actress Muriel Landers who writes about her tour in Europe, and from Nigerian musician and composer Fela Sowande. Letters from Sowande address a \"Programme Exchange\" for Nigeria that he was considering Bonds for, and a few letters of introduction he had written for her. Included with Sowande's letters are biographical and professional data, and a list of his original compositions.</p> <p>The Professional subseries (.3 lin. ft.) consists of correspondence regarding her professional affiliations, awards and memberships, invitations, requests for copies of her compositions and photographs, and information about media events. In addition, newsletters from St. Philip's Church mentioning her performances, The American Guild of Musical Artists, ASCAP News, and American Society of African Culture featuring an article on African music are included.</p>"}