The vintage can of Black Mammy Plastic Roof Cement features a depiction of a Black female figure, reflecting the problematic stereotypes prevalent in mid-20th-century advertising. Often portrayed as a caretaker or domestic figure, this imagery reveals the complexities of racial representation and the commodification of Black identity.
A "colored only" sign was a segregation-era sign typically found in the United States during the Jim Crow era, which enforced racial segregation in public places. These signs were used to designate areas, facilities, or services that were reserved for people of color and donated by Dr. James Eaton.
The vintage can of Black Eyed Peas features an illustration of an old Black man, embodying the racial stereotypes of the era. His depiction reflects the nostalgia and simplicity often associated with Southern cuisine. This artifact serves as a lens through which to examine the portrayal of African Americans in marketing.
The iron "Whites Only" swimming pool sign from Selma, Alabama, dating back to 1931, starkly illustrates the era's racial segregation and discrimination. This historical artifact symbolizes the oppressive Jim Crow laws that enforced racial barriers in public spaces.
Donated by former university President Elmira Mangum, Rudy the Rattler was a taxidermy-coiled rattlesnake that served as the Florida A&M mascot. A small sculpture, the taxidermy process involves preserving the animal’s body using various techniques to maintain its lifelike appearance and mounting it for display.
This rare pot is an original work of Yvonne and Curtis Tucker, a ceramic artist duo who developed a new art form, Afro-Raku. Their collaboration spanned 26 years and focused on honoring the past and the Black diaspora through West African spirituality. This pot, “Sunday Sister,” was meant to identify women as a classical, beautiful vessel.
The 1974 Walter Camp Award, presented to legendary coach Jake Gaither, recognized his outstanding contributions to college football and leadership. Gaither was celebrated for his exceptional coaching skills and commitment to student-athlete development, and his influence extended beyond the field.
In this entry, Margaret Walker is writing from Minneapolis, Minnesota. She is reacting to the assassanation that day of Martin Luther King Jr., writing, “May God have mercy on us! What will happen next?” This page also reflects her doodling, which can be found across the entire collection of her journals.
This rare, highly revered royal mask originates from the Kuba tribe in the Kasai region of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Because the Kuba saw the elephant as a symbol of wealth and leadership, the mask is modeled after an elephant’s trunk and embellished with cowrie beads (which only royalty could handle in exchange for valuable ivory).
The 1991 Theodore Roosevelt Award, presented to Althea Gibson, honors her groundbreaking achievements in sports and her role as a trailblazer for African Americans in athletics. Recognized for her resilience and excellence, Gibson shattered racial barriers, becoming the first Black player to compete at Wimbledon and the U.S. Nationals.
The autographed baseball belonging to Andre Dawson, an alumnus of FAMU and hall of famer. The baseball is s a tangible piece of history, imbued with the memories and moments of Dawson’s journey from college baseball at FAMU to major league baseball's Hall of Fame.
A button with a black and white photo of Assata Shakur. She is a political activist and was a member of the Black Liberation Army (BLA), an organization that engaged in armed struggle with the U.S. government. In 1977, she was convicted in a cop-killing case from 1973. Escaping prison in 1979, she has lived in political asylum in Cuba ever since.
This ceramic cookie jar was part of a collection released by Ohio-based company Mosaic Tile. Albeit rare, the original and most common reproduction is the version depicted here, standing around 13 inches tall with a yellow dress and yellow headwrap. However, the dress can show up in a variety of rarer colors such as blue, peach, and green.
White square button for the Birmingham, Alabama, 1963 Foot Soldiers Reunion. There is also text on the button that says: "Inspired by what we did for ourselves-and the world." The 1963 Foot Soldiers were children marchers in Birmingham who encountered police resistance in the form of water hoses, attack dogs, and arrests.
A blue button with the Black Panther logo and text that says “Black Panther.” The Black Panther Party for Self Defense was founded in 1966 by Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton in Oakland, California. Rooted in Black Power and Marxist-Leninist ideologies, the Black Panther Party would soon spread with branches all over the United States.
A white button with a picture of the Black Panther Party logo. The text says "Black Panther Newspaper Committee." The Black Panther newspaper began as a 4 page newsletter in 1967 by Black Panther Party founders Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seale. The paper went on to express the party’s core ideologies to a large national and international readership.
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.
A button with a black and white photo of Bobby Seale. The Black Panther Party for Self Defense was founded in 1966 by Bobby Seale and Huey P. Newton in Oakland, California. Rooted in Black Power and Marxist-Leninist ideologies, the Black Panther Party would soon spread with branches all over the United States.
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 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 large ceramic plate created by Carroll Harris Simms features multiple textures, including a bubbling glaze covering most of the top of the piece. Simms worked alongside Dr. John T. Biggers to build Texas Southern's art department from the ground up. Simms' decorative artworks remain in high demand by collectors.
This large, brown ceramic plate created by Carroll Harris Simms features multiple textures, including a bubbling glaze covering most of the top of the piece. Simms worked alongside Dr. John T. Biggers to build Texas Southern's art department from the ground up. Simms' decorative artworks remain in high demand by collectors.
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.
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.
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.
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 face mask is from the Dan (Yacouba) ethnic group of Cote D'Ivoire and Liberia and is spiritually meaningful. The mask has simple facial features with small slits for eyes, a broad nose, and protruding lips and may be worn by dancers, athletes, and warriors.
The Daughters of Union Veterans of the Civil War medal (1861-1865) honors female descendants of Union soldiers. This FCL (Fraternity, Charity, Loyalty) medal features symbolic imagery from the Civil War era, representing service and sacrifice.
A product made from muscadine grapes grown at Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University's very own vineyard. Muscadine grapes are a unique variety native to the southeastern United States, known for their thick skins and sweet, musky flavor.
