Found 5 collections related to African Americans in motion pictures

This collection consists of press kits and pressbooks or campaign books for films starring Black actors and actresses; in many cases, these films were directed, produced, and/or written by African Americans as well. The press kits contain sets of promotional materials for distribution to members of the media. Pressbooks, or campaign books, are mostly multi-page brochures of advertising "accessories" (such as posters, lobby cards, and film stills) for movie theaters. Most of the films are fictional, but there are some documentaries; also, there are a few television films included. less

This collections consists of promotional literature for films with African American casts. Many of the films are from Norman Studios, which produced silent films featuring African American casts from 1919 to 1928. The rest of the films are mostly Hollywood productions, the majority of which are from the 1930s-1940s. The promotional material includes leaflets, advertisements, window cards, and other accessories for movie theaters. In addition, there are handbills for boxers Henry Armstrong and Joe Louis. less

Hilda Simms (1920-1994) was an actress best known for playing the title role in the American Negro Theater production of Anna Lucasta that moved successfully to Broadway in 1944. Her acting career also included film, television, and radio broadcasts. The Hilda Simms papers date from the 1930s to 1994 (bulk dates 1940s-1950s) and document her career as an actress; her work on creative arts and drug treatment programs in New York; and her personal life. less

The Maya Angelou papers documents the literary career and personal life of poet and memoirist Maya Angelou (1928-2014) through her writings of autobiographies, essays, and poetry and children's books. The collection holds correspondence, manuscripts, computer generated typescripts, galleys, notes, financial and legal documents, and printed matter. less