This dark wood carved African chair features intricate facial and head carvings at the top, embodying rich cultural artistry and spiritual significance. Traditionally used in ceremonial contexts, it reflects the craftsmanship and storytelling inherent in African art. Donated by Tallahassee locals Calynne and Louis Hill.
The Black likeness featured on vintage Cream of Wheat cans represents a historic portrayal of African American culture in advertising. Often depicting a smiling chef, this imagery reflects the era's complex relationship with race and representation in the food industry.
The 1923 court cases related to the Rosewood massacre focused on seeking justice for the survivors and their families. These legal proceedings addressed the damages caused by the violent destruction of the Black community, aiming to secure compensation and acknowledgment for the lasting impact on its residents.
Collection of correspondences related to the Rosewood Massacre investigation, including letters, reports, and communications between state officials, legal representatives, and survivors. These documents offer insight into the ongoing efforts to secure justice and recognition for the victims and their descendants.
In this 1844 correspondence, Bennett Dell requests the return of enslaved individuals from General W. G. Worthe. The letter reflects the legal and personal disputes over enslaved people, who were considered property under the law. This document highlights the control and commodification of Black lives in pre-Civil War Southern society.
President Gore made several attempts to bring Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune to Florida A&M College as a guest speaker for pivotal events such as homecoming and commencement. His invitations were a testament to his high regard for her, knowing her words would inspire and uplift the FAMC community.
This series of correspondences spanning a couple of months in 1967 showcases the great working relationship between B. L. Perry, Jr. and House of Representatives Congressman Don Fuqua. The two discussed various education bills and used each other’s knowledge to develop Florida A&M University.
In response to Congressman George Bender’s plea in H.R. 29, FAMC President W. H. Gray acknowledged the struggle against poll taxes. Bender urged Gray to lead a crusade to abolish the tax as a precondition for true freedom. Gray assured Bender he would work to influence congressional representatives on the matter.
Boston-based publishing company Peirce and Parker released “Condition of American Colored Population and the Colony at Liberia” in 1833. This intriguing publication touches on the lives of African Americans and the progress of the emerging Liberian colony; albeit brief, it sets the stage for deeper analysis.
The Commodores were a popular band that peaked during the late 1970s and early 1980s due to co-lead singer Lionel Richie, who later became a solo artist. The group visited the illustrious Florida A&M University for a performance in 1975.
The Tuskegee Airman Cockpit USA jacket, crafted in 1987, honors the legendary African American pilots who served during World War II. This leather bomber jacket features insignias and patches reflecting the legacy of the Tuskegee Airmen. Donated by former Tuskegee airman and FAMU alumnus Major Roy Spencer.
A series of letters from the General Attorney's Office to Rosewood families detailing the steps required to claim rightful compensation. Spanning three pages, they include family-specific details, instructions for verifying eligibility, and directions for submitting claims to the Civil Rights Office via designated mailing addresses.
Documents listing last names of Rosewood descendants from the Fourteenth and Fifteenth U.S. Census. These records were essential in establishing population numbers and verifying residency in 1923, serving as key evidence for families seeking justice and compensation following the Rosewood Massacre.
The vintage "Black Jockey Boys" bank is a collectible item depicting a stereotype of African American jockeys, often characterized by exaggerated features and playful expressions. While intended as a whimsical decoration, it reflects the racial caricatures prevalent in the early 20th century.
Within the documents Carrie P. Meek held were racist letters sent to her, like this one. This letter made inflammatory, discriminating, and disparaging comments about Black men, calling them “brutes” and comparing them to “thugs.” It also depicted a hand-drawn racist caricature of a tribal African holding a bloody, severed white person’s head.
In 1995, G. Powell, III, wrote a letter to U.S. House Rep. Carrie P. Meek filled with disparaging and discriminatory comments. It is hard to determine who exactly Powell was. Still, the document alone shows how much racism the first African American woman elected to represent Florida in the U.S. Congress since the Reconstruction era received.
The Florida Times Union captured the lively campus atmosphere at FAMC, highlighting the 75-member band led by W. P. Foster and the newly constructed Coleman Library, honoring Samuel H. Coleman. The article also detailed the costs of Diamond Hall, the dining hall, McQuinn Hall, and the infirmary.
Mr. Blythe Andrews criticized President W. H. Gray's speech at the Tampa Urban League, claiming he undermined the NAACP’s work. Andrews condemned the bigotry of "white friends" and urged Black people to match their white counterparts politically, citing a lawsuit of two Pensacola Negroes falsely registered as Democrats.
This rare mask could belong to the Gurunsi, Boba, or Bwa ethnic groups in Burkina Faso, one of the oldest agricultural groups in that region. They believed in strictly preserving the spirits, which brought balance to a world humans disturb. Each mask is unique, channeling these spirits for performances, celebrations, and harvest rituals.
The Buffalo Soldier Stratton hat is a distinctive military headgear associated with the African American cavalry regiments known as Buffalo Soldiers, and belonged to Benjamin French. Crafted from durable materials, it features a wide brim and a high crown, symbolizing pride and resilience.
These images are from the spring of 1979 when Kwame Ture, formerly known as Stokely Carmichael, visited Florida A&M University to speak to students. Ture was a field organizer with the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and coined the “Black Power” slogan, making him a key figure during the Civil Rights Movement.
This abstract provides a brief account of the Rosewood Case, a horrific 1923 race riot caused by aggravated racial relations from the winter of 1922. A white woman’s claim of rape set off a group of white men to begin shooting people who they believed were connected to the assault, all residents of a small, thriving predominantly Black town.
This Bongo mask, intricately carved and vibrantly painted, represents the artistic traditions of the Bongo people of Central Africa. Known for its expressive features and elaborate designs, it serves a ceremonial purpose, often used in rituals to connect with ancestral spirits.
This Bongo mask, intricately carved and vibrantly painted, reflects just how important art was to the Bongo peoples' heritage. A Central African piece known for its expressive features and elaborate designs, it serves a ceremonial purpose and is often used in rituals to connect with ancestral spirits.
This rare, original black-and-white photograph features award-winning track star and Florida A&M alumni Robert “Bullet Bob” Hayes and an unidentified political figure. In what appears to be a government office, due to the portraits of Presidents John F. Kennedy and Lyndon B. Johnson, Hayes is receiving a ceremonial key.
Robert "Bob" Hayes' bronzed track shoes commemorate his exceptional athletic achievements, particularly as a sprinter and Olympic gold medalist. Known as "Bullet," Hayes revolutionized sprinting, winning gold in the 100 meters and helping secure a victory in the 4x100 meter relay at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
This newspaper article from the Florida Alligator, a University of Florida publication, highlights the growth of Black scholars in academia and an emerging problem: “faculty raiding.” White institutions looking to be more inclusive were regularly poaching Black professors, leaving Black institutions like Florida A&M with fewer faculty.
In this photograph, beaming Black soldiers smile and wave out the windows of a bus with the Southern Pacific Lines insignia on the side. Others stand around bags of luggage waiting to enter the transport. While Southern Pacific Lines was known as a locomotive company, this vehicle appeared to be a bus rather than a train car.
In a year of letters, L. I. Alexander and President W. H. Gray explored opportunities in insurance and real estate, amid decreasing college interest. Gray, seeing Alexander as a key leader, supported his initiative to acquire property and foster Black excellence in education and business.
This two-page spread comes from the 1981 Rattler Yearbook and features images from Black History Month events at both Florida A&M University and Florida State University. Prominent figures like Dr. Larry Rivers, Joseph “Joe” Lang Kershaw, and Dick Gregory were highlighted for significant events or visited the campuses’ to speak to students.
