Along with the paired woman and child figure, this male counterpart is heavily covered with facial and body markings as he is regally seated on a decorated stool. The man is holding a sword or spear. His postiche, or false metal beard, is prominent while his upright posture asserts his status. This piece originates from the Senufo people of West Africa
This intricate work of a seated mother and child, possibly royalty, originates from the Senufo people of West Africa. Detailed body modifications and scars cover the mother's body as she calmly looks out. A child on her left leg is cradled close to her body. This piece is paired with a corresponding male figure.
Serena Walton was born in 1908 and moved to Jackson in 1937 after marriage. She recalls the “Good Old Days" as being days of fun, misery, and everyday existence during the 1930's through 1950's. Ms. Walton talks about her younger days and then her time at college during the Great Depression. She also discusses her time teaching in Yazoo County.
Benjamin N. Smith's sermon highlighted the majesty and universality of God's love, exploring its four dimensions and the promise of eternal life, while honoring the Boone Methodist choir and Dr. Joseph S. Hines for his academic and Christian contributions.
Gerhardt W. Hyatt discussed the human struggle with powerlessness, referencing biblical stories of John the Baptist and Jesus feeding the multitude, and stressed the importance of recognizing personal limitations and seeking divine help.
John Hurst Adams criticized modern society's reliance on human institutions and technological solutions, arguing that true solutions lie in spiritual commitment and moral excellence.
A letter from Chaplain Wynn to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on onion skin paper reminding Dr. King of his preaching engagement on 07/31/1955 at Tuskegee Institute’s Chapel at 11am.
Dr. Benjamin E. Mays’ sermon at Tuskegee University urged students to integrate tradition with progress, value historical memory, and pursue noble ideals over longevity, emphasizing that a meaningful life is defined by purpose and self-reflection.
Born in Ohio, Vernon Winslow studied at the Art Institute of Chicago. Sharecropper’s Migration is a watercolor painting of a family with gestural features. With a muted red skin tone, the father rests his hand on his son’s shoulder to reassure him. The family wears a sad but hopeful expression as they ride on a horse carriage.
A newspaper article from the Clarion Ledger (Jackson, Mississippi) providing historical context to the Clinton Project Oral History Collection. The article tells stories about Sally Lee, a formerly enslaved woman who worked on the land that would become Clinton, Mississippi.
Shirley Chisholm, the first black woman elected to serve in the U.S. Congress, emphasizing the need for systemic change and collective action to achieve racial equality and social justice.
“Shrine #2,” by Harry Vital, features an intersex bird with both male and female features. This is a common theme found in Dogon sculptures originating from West Africa; these types of statues play a role in fertility rituals. The body has a smooth surface, while the wings and head are embellished with spiral designs.
Vital's maquette appears to portray an intersex human-chicken hybrid, which displays both male and female sex organs. The artist adorned the sculpture with swirl embellishments, a common motif in TSU terracottas. Vital would go on to make a full-scale version of this sculpture.
Like his other sculptures, Vital's maquette highlights hybridism, animal forms, and sexuality. Overall, the sculpture's form resembles a person sitting on a throne. On both sides of the top, a reptile creature sits above the shape of an open eye or breast. Towards the bottom, a phallic form is decorated with swirls, while a single claw-like structure supports the sculpture. The sculpture makes use of negative space in multiple sections.
Thomas’ mural depicts an abstracted circus scene. In the center, three clowns, perhaps self-portraits, dressed in collars and muted colors, look seriously towards the viewer. The figures’ contemplative expressions stand in sharp contrast to their dress and profession.
Askia’s drawing is a side portrait of a man looking into the distance. There is no background and only a sliver of his shirt is visible, implying the man is not confined to a specific time or setting. Many of Askia’s pieces are similar - drawn with pastel on paper, and placing the subjects outside of time and space.
This photograph belongs to the Signal Corps, U.S. Army. Within this picture, two Black female soldiers squat and kneel with a trophy while others smile and pose for the camera. This interracial, intergender photograph shows the inclusivity of the U.S. military.
This black and white photograph features the third wife of Muhammad Ali, Veronica Porché Ali, shaking hands with an unidentified female holding a Florida A&M flag. The photo is also blessed with a note and signature from Muhammad Ali, stating, “To Walter… Muhammad Ali Oct 27 - 79 Love always.”
Hayward Oubre was a multimedia artist and educator from New Orleans, LA. His etching Silent Sentinel, created during his MFA at the University of Iowa, reflects his interrogation of social realism and cultural symbology.
Sip Freeman’s earliest memories were from when he was 8 years old. He talks about his childhood, his family and his church. He also talks about some experiences with White people and shares some stories about slavery that had been passed down through his family. The transcript is handwritten.
A newspaper article from The Black Panther by Jackie Harper, Branch Secretary of the Corona Branch of the Black Panther Party. She tells the story of Robert “Big Bob” Heard who was framed for assault by the police and declares that the women of the Party will stand in solidarity with their brothers in the Party against the racist police forces.
A 1973 pencil sketch of an African American Blue Bell man by Thomas Harris. The hat-wearing man is looking off to the side with his jacket draping his shoulder, showing off his “Blue Bell”-tagged apron (or overalls) and collared shirt.
Four-page document containing biographical information about Monroe N. Work, such as his early life, education, professional accomplishments, and membership in organizations. The summary ends with an overview of Work's relationship with his wife, Florence Henderson Work.
Mark Hewitt was an artist from Boston, MA. Slave Girl is a black and white print of a young African woman standing before a bearded man wearing all white. The man’s hand rests on his chest, and the shirtless woman wears a solemn expression and looks towards the viewer.
A newspaper article from The Home News about workmen cleaning painted slogans in support of Assata Shakur (JoAnne Chesimard), on trial for the 1973 killing of a state trooper, from the Middlesex County Courthouse. Slogans such as “Free Assata” and “Stop the Lynching” had been spraypainted on the building between 1-2am.
This small ceramic plate created by Carroll Harris Simms is made from red clay with a white, bubbling glaze. It has slightly raised, curved edges. 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.
In this newspaper article by members of the Sentinel Staff, Rosewood families were set to receive $500,000 as a part of an approved payment from the Florida Attorney General’s Office and Legislature. However, the payments were delayed for several weeks due to last-minute questions about family relationships and property ownership.
