Swarthmore College. Black Cultural Center Records
Scope and Contents
The collection includes constitution, minutes, correspondence and other records of SASS, records of the Gospel Choir which was founded in 1971, and recent records of Mjumbe, a literary magazine. There is also miscellaneous material reflecting concerns and interests of black students on campus and alumni.
Organized into five series:
- SASS
- Gospel Choir
- Black Alumni Weekend
- Mjumbe
- Miscellaneous
Dates
- Creation: 1968-2000
Creator
- Swarthmore College. Black Cultural Center (Organization)
Conditions Governing Access
Collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Copyright has not been assigned to Friends Historical Library. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in to the Director. Permission for publication is given on behalf Friends Historical Library as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained by reader.
Biographical / Historical
A student organization, SASS (Swarthmore African-American Student Society) was organized in the fall of 1968 and the following year proposed the establishment of a Black Cultural Center (BCC). The BCC found a permanent home in 1970 in a former faculty residence/dormitory which was converted with funds donated by James A. Michener, Swarthmore College Class of 1929.
The mission statement of the Black Cultural Center of Swarthmore College is as follows:
- To provide a physical space that reflects the perspectives, values and culture of Black students and people -- safe-space.
- To provide cultural, intellectual, and emotional support to all Black students and the larger Black community.
- To support and challenge students interested in the area of culturally centered leadership, and to be an integral part of the College's effort to provide multicultural education for the greater Swarthmore.
The BCC serves as a home for a number of organizations on campus including SASS, Gospel Choir, and Mjumbe, a literary magazine representing black students.
Extent
2.5 linear ft. (5 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Abstract
Contains the records of the Black Cultural Center, founded in 1969 and located on the campus of Swarthmore College. The BCC serves as a home for a number of organizations on campus including SASS (Swarthmore African-American Student Society), Gospel Choir, and Mjumbe, a literary magazine representing black students. The collection includes constitution, minutes, correspondence, and other records of SASS, the records of the Gospel Choir which was founded in 1971, and recent records of Mjumbe, a literary magazine. There is also miscellaneous material reflecting concerns and interests of black students on campus and alumni.
Physical Location
For current information on the location of materials, please consult the Library's online catalog.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Deposit: Black Cultural Center
Date: 8/6/1999
Accession number: SCA 1999-013
Deposit: Administration
Date: ca. 1999
Separated Materials
- 15th Anniversary Concert [sound recording] : 1986.
- Concert [sound recording] : April 1, 1979.
- Concert [sound recording] : April 11, 1976.
- Concert [sound recording] : April 11, 1976 (2nd half)
- Concert [sound recording] : April 13, 1980.
- Concert [sound recording] : April 17, 1977.
- Concert [sound recording] : April 1975.
- Concert [sound recording] : April 27, 1975.
- Concert [sound recording] : April 27, 1975.
- Concert [sound recording] : April 5, 1981.
- Concert at BCC [sound recording] : February 2, 1989.
- Concert [sound recording] : December 4, 1977.
- Concert [sound recording] : December 7, 1980.
- Concert [sound recording] : February 18, 1976.
- Concert [sound recording] : February 9, 1975.
- Concerts at St. Thomas [sound recording] : November 15-16, 1991.
- Gospel Choir concert [video recording] / Swarthmore College Gospel Choir.
- Gospel Choir Concert [video recording]
- Video recording 84
Processing Information
The collection was described and organized as received. Gospel Choir robe and award to James Michener transferred to Relics. Campus panorama photograph transferred to FHL Picture Collection, Campus. Phonograph album The U.N. Resolution on Racism, 1975, transferred to Swarthmore College Peace Collection. Video and records transferred to FHL Audio-Visual. Photographs stored in FHL Picture Collection, SPA 201/B43. In 2004, files on SASS, Black Cultural Center, and related topics that had been stored in Parrish North basement and were transferred from Administration to Friends Historical Library with other records were added to Series. 1 and stored in Box 2.
Subject
- Swarthmore College. Gospel Choir (Organization)
- Swarthmore College. Swarthmore African-American Student Society (Organization)
- Swarthmore College (Organization)
- Title
- Finding aid for Swarthmore College. Black Cultural Center Records, 1968-2000
- Author
- Finding Aid Prepared by FHL staff
- Date
- 2007
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
- Language of description note
- English
Find It at the Library
Most of the materials in this catalog are not digitized and can only be accessed in person. Please see our website for more information about visiting or requesting repoductions from Friends Historical Library of Swarthmore College Library
