The 1940 Census Report included data on student enrollment in majors like engineering, law, and pharmacy across all 50 states. It also featured financial details of Baker House dining services, including expenses and net profit, along with grants for Negro land-grant colleges, denoting funding support for these institutions.
For FAMU’s 1965-66 academic year, President Gore gathered over 10 notes and clippings to shape proposals on budgets, National Science Foundation funding, and manpower training, guiding his faculty and administration team’s strategic efforts.
The Tenth Annual Alpha Kappa Mu Honor Society Convention, held in Baton Rouge, Louisiana in 1948, featured a four-day schedule from Tuesday to Friday. The journal guided guests, executive council, and members through events like recreational festivities, national reports, early registrations, the opening session, and business meetings.
In this letter, President Gore of Florida A&M College wrote a meeting invitation to President Doak Campbell of Florida State University to discuss initiatives that would benefit both institutions and strengthen desegregation efforts. Gore emphasized a need for educational resources and support for diverse student bodies.
A letter from William H. Seward, Secretary of State, presents a resolution proposing an amendment to the U.S. Constitution to extend voting rights to people of color. The letter includes excerpts from the Governor of Tallahassee and references Article XV, advocating for equal voting rights for all citizens.
Ada L. Wilson moved to the Farish Street District in 1945 after graduating college and went on to work as a teacher in Jackson Public Schools and Jackson State. She discusses Wilson's Grocery Store, her family’s business in the district. She also talks about her efforts to stop the city from demolishing Smith Robertson School after its closing.
Alma Cousins moved to the Farish Street District in 1953 and previously owned a restaurant in the neighborhood. Ms. Cousins recounts what the district was like back then compared to the present. She talks about businesses and restaurants in the district; the effects of White people moving into the area; and several Black lawyers in the district.
President B. L. Perry gathered records of celebrated alumni and contributors, including Joseph Kershaw, LaSalle D. LeFall Jr., Robert Hayes, Althea Gibson, and Julian and Nat Adderley, reflecting their legacies, notable achievements, and the enduring imprint they left on FAMU’s history.
Annette Barnes was born in 1905 in Mount Olive, Mississippi. Her family moved to Jackson in 1909 when her father opened Barnes Drug Store. She talks about her childhood in Jackson being fun but also with responsibilities. She recalls the “Good Old Days'' as the times she can look back on and times were not as hard as they were then thought to be.
Summary reports to and from the Florida House of Representatives regarding the 1923 Rosewood massacre. Details include key facts, survivor accounts of racial violence, and a memorandum proposing compensation for victims and their descendants in an effort to address the tragedy’s lasting impact.
In this financial document, Union Bank of Florida hired three people for the appraisement of Jefse H Millis estate with the addition of a list of slaves. The listed names have ages, prices, and total sums.
A Tallahassee Democrat newspaper clipping talks about a tumultuous period of the university’s history. Faculty member numbers were down, state funding was reduced, and talks of a merger between FAMU and Florida State were redundant. Despite this, efforts for funding were achieved, as with the Kellogg Grant to FAMU’s School of Pharmacy.
This collection includes a pamphlet explaining the Bicentennial Restoration Project, an initiative undertaken by FAMU’s Black Church Restoration Committee to mend the Bethlehem Church, and a check. The last page of the pamphlet was photocopied and attached to a $10 donation check to the FAMU Foundation made by B. L. Perry, Jr. on November 2, 1976.
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.
Mr. Myers was the owner of Myers Coffee Company on Farish Street. He talks about his business as well as other businesses in the district and breaks down the different sections of the neighborhood.
Attorney Carsie Hall moved to Jackson in 1921 to attend Jackson College. He passed the bar exam in 1953 and operated a law firm in the Farish Street District. He talks about a case he worked with the Freedom Marchers during the Civil Rights Movement. He discusses the effect of desegregation on Black businesses and current revitalization efforts.
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.
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.
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.
The Tampa Morning Tribune reported on the Florida Division of the Southern Regional Council's strong stance against the Ku Klux Klan, labeling it Nazi-like. Dr. Gray and fellow leaders introduced a comprehensive plan to tackle discrimination in state laws, calling for equal school funding and social progress in Florida.
The inauguration packet for President Gore commemorates the start of his transformative leadership at FAMC and FAMU. It highlights his previous presidency at Tennessee State University and includes the ceremony program, speeches, and reflections on his vision for academic excellence, campus growth, and community engagement.
On January 26, 1965, the president’s monthly meeting with student leaders brought together representatives from campus organizations. The president invited all organization presidents to a dinner to discuss initiatives and improvements students wished to see at Florida A&M University, fostering collaboration and shared goals for the campus.
Dolly Smith moved to Jackson with her family in 1919 or 1920 when she was a little girl. She says the “Good Old Days” were the times when things weren't as expensive. She reminisces on her childhood and what life was like during the Great Depression and talks about Black owned businesses, race relations, and music in Jackson.
Dr. David White was the first Black optometrist in the state of Mississippi when he moved onto Farish Street in 1951. He talks about Farish Street before and after integration: Black businesses became less prosperous after integration as some Black customers went to white owned businesses. He also talks about his involvement with the NAACP.
Dr. David White was the first Black optometrist in the state of Mississippi when he moved onto Farish Street in 1951. He talks about how his first White customers came during the Civil Rights Movement as there was an active meeting place for activists above his business.
Edward Lee moved to the Farish Street District in 1925 and went on to own several restaurants in the area. He also booked and promoted dances and concerts for clubs and dance halls in the district. Mr. Lee talks about his education, life on a farm, family, and his youth. The transcript is heavily edited with handwritten notes.
Edward Lee moved to the Farish Street District in 1925 and went on to own businesses in the district including The Crystal Palace restaurant and lounge and the Edward Lee Hotel. Mr. Lee talks about his experiences with owning businesses in the district and gives advice to future Black business owners. Transcript is edited with handwritten notes.
Native Jacksonian, Elizabeth Thames discusses her experiences as the owner of Boot's Flower Shop on Farish Street, where she worked over 25 years as designer, manager and owner. She talks about the effect of the Civil Rights Movement on the general welfare of the people in the district as well as the effects on her business.
Ernest Luckett moved to the Farish Street District in 1922 at the age of 6 to attend Smith Robertson School. Mr. Luckett talks about his time as a student at the school and his admiration of a teacher. He discusses his relationship with P.G. Cooper, a lawyer on Farish Street who collected rent from tenants in the area for one of his clients.
