This collection showcases the rich legacies of HBCUs through ephemera and material objects, including maps, blueprints, audiovisual materials, newspaper articles, buttons, collectibles, memorabilia, clothing and accessories, scrapbooks, speeches, photographs, brochures, and posters.
Rep. Mary Stevens served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1981-2012 and was the mayor of West, Mississippi, for eight years. She has close ties to Robert Clark and speaks on her experiences in the Mississippi Legislature, serving on several committees such as Public Health and Appropriations.
Rep. Leonard Morris served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1993 until his death in 2007. He was head of the House Medicaid Committee. In this interview, Rep. Morris explains the nature of the Black Caucus and his time working with Henry Kirksey, Robert Clark, Ed Blackmon, and other notable Black Mississippi politicians.
Rep. David Gibbs served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1992 until his death in 2013. In this interview, Gibbs discusses how he became involved in Mississippi politics. Heavily influenced by his military service, Gibbs explains his campaign strategies and his work with other notable politicians such as Robert Clark and Aaron Henry.
Rep. Charles Young Sr. served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1980 until his death in 2009. He explains how Robert Clark was a mentor for him and those elected before him. While detailing his own campaign strategy for 1980, he talks about the calculated and aggressive nature of Robert Clark’s campaign and the effect it had on him.
Sen. Alyce Griffin Clarke served in the Mississippi House of Representatives from 1984-2004. She talks about her work in education before running for office in 1984. She also discusses Robert Clark’s passion for education, the different committees she is involved in, the Institute of Higher Learning, and more.
A newspaper article from The Black Panther describing an incident in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, where two pregnant women suffered injuries after a run-in with a grocery store security guard who was notorious for harassing Black customers. The women were subsequently arrested by the police and calls were made for firing the security guard.
A gold button with a drawing of a broken shackle and chain with the text "Remember Soweto June 14 March Against Apartheid." On June 14, 1986, 40,000 people rallied in Central Park in New York City to call on President Ronald Reagan to impose strict economic sanctions on the government of South Africa as a means to ending apartheid in the country.
Ray Bozell Converse was born in Isabel, Oklahoma, in 1912. His job with the Department of Agriculture brought him to Jackson in 1942 and 1955. He discusses opening a produce business and the effect of the Great Depression on his family. He also talks about living in Gulfport, Mississippi, during World War II. The transcript is incomplete.
A newspaper article from The News Tribune about Inez Garcia, a woman whose case became a rallying cry for feminists after she was acquitted for killing a man she says helped rape her. Garcia became a symbol for a woman’s right to defend herself. She says that she will go on to help other women who are imprisoned.
Rahman Saleem was a student at Smith Robertson School starting in 1956 when he was 5 years old. He talks about his experience at the school and tells other stories of his childhood in Jackson. The transcript is heavily edited with handwritten notes.
A newspaper article written by Communications Secretary Kathleen Cleaver in The Black Panther. The article, in response to the Kerner Commission report ordered by President Lyndon B. Johnson to look into the causes of the 1967 uprisings in several U.S. cities, argues that the government hadn’t done enough to combat systemic racism.
A newspaper article from The Star Ledger about slogans spray painted on the Middlesex County Courthouse in support of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) during her trial trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper. Five women were arrested for another incident where pro-Shakur handbills were posted on the nearby county welfare office.
A construction floor plan for the first floor of Science Building at Tuskegee Normal and Industrial Institute in 1931. This drawing shows floor layout for classrooms, labs, lecture halls, restrooms as well as measurements of the lab tables.
A multi section view drawing blueprint of the home economics main entrance. Drawing includes window sections, building sections, staircase sections, and exterior wall sections.
A photocopy of the program for the Child Development Group of Mississippi/Community Education Extension 25th Anniversary Reunion from June 30-July 2, 1989 in Warren Hall at Tougaloo College in Jackson, Mississippi. This reunion brought together over 400 former Head Start employees and over 100 students from the Head Start classes of 1965-1969.
In this interview, Texas Southern art alumnus Prinston Nnanna discusses his experiences as a student in the class of 2016. He describes TSU's art building as the first place where he learned about living Black artists. He also cites Dr. Biggers as inspiring him to use symbolism in his artwork. Post-graduation, Nnanna teaches at the Pratt Institute.
The pre-sketch stage of Texas Southern alumnus J.W. Sampson's mural on the first floor of Hannah Hall is shown here. Before he took paint to the wall, Sampson first made a grid (to help with scaling up to the large mural size) and then drew out his intended design. His final, geometric design is characteristic of Dr. Biggers's teaching at the time.
A green button that says: "Power and knowledge gained at Medgar Evers College." Text on the bottom of the button also says: "The City University of New York." Medgar Evers College was established in Brooklyn, New York, in 1970 as part of the Central University of New York (CUNY). The college is a public, 4-year, degree granting institution.
A newspaper article from The Black Panther. It outlines the 14 steps for Black people concerning Constitutional rights if confronted or arrested by the police. The article suggests that readers cut the article out of the paper and carry it with them in case of confrontations with the police.
Pinkie Johnson was a Head Start student in Hazelhurst, Mississippi, at Parish Elementary School. She recounts her time as a student, including her memories of teachers and activities the students would do. She also talks about her family's involvement in fundraising for Head Start, including cooking items for bake sales.
A newspaper article from The Black Panther that examines the relationship between the police and the Black Panther Party through the lens of capitalism. The author, Candy (no last name listed), writes that capitalism in the oppressor and those who fight against capitalism are fighting against the government and the police force that protects it.
A photograph from the newspaper The Home News of Middlesex County Jail. The jail, where Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) was staying for her New Jersey trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper, had been found "grossly inadequate" in a comprehensive report. The report called for shorter terms and millions of dollars in upgrades.
A photograph from the newspaper The Home News of Middlesex County Jail. The jail, where Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard) was staying for her New Jersey trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper, had been found "grossly inadequate" in a comprehensive report. Shakur was attempting to get transferred from the jail.
A photocopy of a picture from an issue of Jersey City, New Jersey, newspaper Daily World of Jimmy York, deputy chairman of the Jersey branch of the Black Panther Party, and Clara Vincent, defense captain.
A photocopy of a picture from an unknown publication of four Black Panthers. The text above the picture reads "The dope addicts are to blame for the ever-increasing crime."
A photograph of the Pentecostal Temple Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ on Kane St. in the Historic Farish Street District. The church bus is parked in front of the entrance. Notation on the photograph indicates the church was built ca. 1935.
A white button with a picture of Dr. Martin Luther King. The text says "Peace for King-Not War for Bush: Bring my father, mother, sister, brother, daughter, cousin, aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, grandfather, grandmother, fiancee, friend & lover home from the Middle East now!"
This is a brochure for Morris’ senior art exhibition. The culmination of the Texas Southern art curriculum is a senior exhibition where students showcase artwork created over the course of their undergraduate studies. The brochure features a catalog of the artwork featured in the exhibition, a photo of one of her textiles, and a photo of one of her paintings.
An interview with six unnamed Black Panther Women about the women's liberation movement and their experience with women's liberation within the Black Panther Party itself. The interviews were conducted at the Black Panther Party Headquarters on September 17, 1969 and circulated as a 4 page leaflet.
Materials from an oral history workshop held at Jackson State University in conjunction with the Clinton Project Oral History Collection. Includes staff handbook, reading assignments, and schedules.
