{"value"=>"<p>The material found in the <span class=\"emph\">NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE - ADMINISTRATIVE FILES</span>(NAACP) 1925-1945, n.d., series documents Pickens' long and distinguished career with the organization. The NAACP records have been organized into two subseries; Administrative Files, and Department of Branches files.</p> <p>Included in the subseries are correspondence, files of the board of directors, memoranda, reports, and conference-related materials. A good picture of the overall goals and the day-to-day workings of the NAACP are provided by the material in this subseries. Of particular interest are letters documenting the contentious relationship between Walter White and Pickens, and Pickens' stormy severance from the NAACP. Both issues are well documented in the correspondence and the board of directors minutes.</p> <p>The second subseries, the <span class=\"emph\">Department of Branches,</span>contains plans, itineraries and reports for field work in the branches. Pickens' extremely active role as Field Secretary - traveling cross-country, visiting and making speeches at branches all across the United States - is reflected in the itineraries. The number of branches increased significantly under Pickens' directorship.</p> <p>Correspondents of particular importance in this series are James Weldon Johnson, Walter White, Mary White Ovington, Arthur B. Spingarn, Joel E. Spingarn, Roy Wilkins, Thurgood Marshall and W.E.B. DuBois.</p> <p>The NAACP correspondence is arranged chronologically, then alphabetically within each year. The remainder of this series is arranged chronologically.</p>"}