rppc_naacp Guide to the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Providence, Rhode Island Branch collection Finding aid prepared by George Antypas. Providence College, Phillips Memorial Library, Special and Archival Collections 2012
Phillips Memorial Library, Special and Archival Collections 1 Cunningham Square Providence, RI 02918-0001 http://www.providence.edu/library/spcol/
 Finding aid encoded by George Antypas, 2012 Finding aid written in English Collection Overview NAACP National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, Providence, Rhode Island Branch collection 1937-1974 7 box(es) (6.0 linear feet) The NAACP Providence, RI Branch Collection consists of correspondence, memorandum, documents, newspaper clippings and other material about civil rights issues both in Rhode Island and throughout the nation. Providence College Phillips Memorial Library
Providence, RI 02918-0001
rppc_naacp The records are in English. Historical Information

The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in 1909. The founders of the organization included famed civil rights activist W.E.B. Du Bois, journalists Ida B. Wells and Charles Edward Russel, and lawyer-diplomat Archibald Grimké.

The catalyst for the creation of the NAACP came from the Race Riot of 1908 in Springfield, IL. What made the riot so egregious for the NAACP's founders was that it was in the hometown of Abraham Lincoln, the Great Emancipator of slaves. The riots demonstrated to many in the country that there was a great need for the voices of African-Americans to be heard at the national level. A concerned group, including the founders, met in January 1909 in New York City and set the first official meeting of the NAACP to be on February 12, 1909 to commemorate of the 100th anniversary of the birth of Abraham Lincoln. By 1914, the NAACP had established 50 branches with approximately 6,000 members. Today there are over 300,000 members with 2,000 branches and units throughout the nation

The NAACP has fought for many causes and issues, but two issues that have made the most lasting impact were fighting to change Jim Crow laws and championing desegregation. Among the early causes was the protesting of the film Birth of a Nation, a highly controversial film that depicted the Ku Klux Klan as noble defenders and that emancipation was a grave mistake. The NAACP had success in fighting disfranchisement by influencing the 1917 United States Supreme Court ruling in the Buchanan vs. Warley case. The court ruled that state and local governments cannot officially segregate African-Americans into separate residential districts.

The NAACP also fought against desegregation and legislation designed to promote separate but equal practices. Perhaps the most famous victory came in 1954 when NAACP lawyer and future Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall argued before the Supreme Court over racial injustice in Brown vs. Board of Education. The Court ruled unanimously that state-sponsored segregation of elementary schools was unconstitutional. After the ruling, the NAACP would continue its fight against inequality by organizing the bus boycotts in Montgomery, Alabama.

The Providence branch of the NAACP was granted its charter in November of 1913. Dr. Julius J. Robinson was the first President. Other officers of the charter organization included, Rev. C.C. Alleyne and F.A. Carter as Vice-Presidents, Miss Roberta J. Dunbar as Secretary, and the Rev. Zechariah Harrison as Treasurer. The Executive Committee was comprised of John C. Minkins, James E. Dixon, William P.H. Freeman, Attorney William A. Heathman, Dr. A.L. Jackson, and Robert L. Smith. The Beneficent Congregational Church on Weybosset Street, known as the Round Top Church, was the scene of the first general meeting with NAACP Vice-President Joal Spingarn as the principal speaker.

With the support of a number of prominent Rhode Island citizens and political figures - such as former Governor D. Russell Brown (1892-1895), former Providence City mayor Patrick J. McCarthy (1907-1909), and State Senator Edwin C. Pierce (1911) - who acted as an Advisory Board, the newly formed branch held a series of general meetings to discuss current issues. These early meetings were held at the Old Providence Opera House, the Strand Theatre, and the Trinity Auditorium.

The stated mission of the Providence branch is to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of the rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination. Among the most prominent members from the era of the collection include President Bernardino Delgado and Secretary Claire H. Read. Delgado worked tirelessly to advocate for African-Americans in Rhode Island in seeking housing, education and employment opportunities, while Read documented the organization's activities..

Scope and Content Note

The bulk of collection documents the Providence branch of the NAACP from 1960s to the mid 1970s. The collection includes official correspondence, personal correspondence, inter-office, regional, and national memorandum. Additional materials include meeting minutes and recaps, newspaper and media clippings, pamphlets, miscellaneous documents, and materials relating the organization's regional and national conventions.

 Arrangement

This collection is arranged chronological by year and alphabetical within each year.

Series list NAACP 1916-1965 NAACP 1966-1969 NAACP 1970-1971 NAACP 1972 NAACP 1973 NAACP 1974 The Crisis, 1946-1975 Index Terms

Researchers wishing to find materials related to this collection should search the HELIN catalog with these index terms -- View the catalog record for this collection.

Names National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Providence Branch Subjects African Americans -- Rhode Island -- Providence

Open for research.

 Acquisitions Information

The papers of the Providence branch of the NAACP were donated with the organization's approval by Claire H. Read, the secretary of the Providence branch, to Providence College in September of 1973.

 Custodial History

Prior to donation the collection was maintained by the offices of the NAACP.

 Preferred Citation

Providence Branch of the NAACP, Rhode Island, Providence College, Phillips Memorial Library, Special and Archival Collections

 Processing Information

The collection was processed by George Antypas in 2012.

Some materials may be restricted. For further information contact Special and Archival Collections, Phillips Memorial Library, Providence College.

Terms governing use and reproduction: Photocopying and scanning of materials is a fee based service available in the repository and is allowed at the discretion of the Librarian of Special and Archival Collections when in compliance to the College's policy on copyright and publication.

Researchers are advised that express written permission to reproduce, quote, or otherwise publish any portion or extract from this collection must be obtained from the Providence College Phillips Memorial Library. Although Providence College has physical ownership of the collection and the materials contained therein, it does not claim literary rights. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine the owners of the literary rights and to obtain any necessary permissions from them.

Certain restrictions may be imposed to protect the confidentiality of living individuals.

There are no known separated materials from this collection.

 Inventory NAACP 1916-1965 32 folders letters (correspondence) memorandum minutes Scope and Content Note

This series is comprised of correspondence, memorandum and other documents pertaining to the Providence Branch of the NAACP from 1916 to 1965. The majority of the documents are from 1962-1965. Highlights of this series include documents for the organization's New England Regional Conferences and the Rhode Island branch's 45th anniversary.

Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically.

 1 1 NAACP Activity Listundated 1 2 Nation Negro Hymnundated 1 3 Policy Statementundated 1 4 Roy Williams Biographical Sketchundated 1 5 Annual Meeting Notice1916 1 6 Constitution and Bylaws for Branches1937-1956 1 7 Office of Production Management1941 1 8 New England Regional Conference1944 1 9 Correspondence1945, 1952 1 10 NAACP Bulletin1946 1 11 Newsclippings1947 1 12 New England Regional Conference1949 1 13 New England Regional Conference1950 1 14 New England Regional Conference1952 1 15 Gov. Roberts, Dennis J.1956-1957 1 16 45th Anniversary Program1958 1 17 Executive Board- Attendence Record1961-1962 1 18 Meeting Minutes1962 1 19 Community Business Lists1963 1 20 Meeting Minutes1963 1 21 Memorandum1963 1 22 State Legislative Lists1963-1964 1 23 City of Providence, Division of Housing Standards- Annual Report1964 1 24 Meeting Minutes1964 1 25 Correspondence1964-1965 1 26 New Enlgand Regional Conference1964-1965 1 27 Life Membership Bulletin1965 1 28 Meeting Minutes1965 1 29 New England Regional Conference1965 1 30 Newsletters, Flyers, Notices and Announcements1965 1 31 Requisiton Statements1965 NAACP 1966-1969 43 folders letters (correspondence) memorandum minutes Scope and Content Note

This series is comprised of correspondence, memorandum and other documents pertaining to the Providence Branch of the NAACP from 1966 to 1969. Additional materials include documents for the organization's New England Regional Conferences.

 Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically.

 1 32 Correspondence1966 1 33 Incidents of Discrimination1966 1 34 Meeting Minutes1966 1 35 Membership Drive1966 1 36 New England Regional Conference1966 1 37 Newsclippings1966 1 38 Notices and Announcements1966 1 39 Requistion Statements1966 1 40 Correspondence1967 1 41 Meeting Minutes1967 1 42 Memorandum and Newletters1967 1 43 New England Regional Conference1967 1 44 Newsclippings1967 1 45 Planning Notes1967 1 46 Requistion Forms1967 1 47 Providence Branch Meeting Minutes1967-1969 1 48 Congressional Record1968 1 49 Correspondence1968 1 50 Housing Committee1968 1 51 Meeting Minutes1968 1 52 Membership Lists1968 1 53 NAACP National Convention1968 1 54 New England Regional Conference1968 1 55 Promotional Materials1968 1 56 Requistion Forms1968 1 57 RI Legislative Lists1968 1 58 Business Receipts and Expenses1969 1 59 Committee Meeting and Annual Reports1969 1 60 Correspondence- January- April1969 1 61 Correspondence- May- August1969 1 62 Correspondence- September- December1969 1 63 Correspondence- Guscott, Kenneth I. - House Committee Testimony1969 1 64 Membership Lists1969 1 65 Monthly Meeting Notices1969 1 66 Mt. Pleasant High School1969 1 67 New England Regional Conference1969 1 68 New England Regional Conference- Press Releases1969 2 1 New England Regional Conference- Promotional Materials1969 2 2 New England Regional Conference- Workshops1969 2 3 Newcomb, Dr. Theodore J.1969 2 4 Pamphlets1969 2 5 Newsclippings1969-1970 2 6 Providence Branch Meeting Minutes1969-1970 2 7 Receipt Books1969-1970 NAACP 1970-1971 47 folders letters (correspondence) memorandum minutes Scope and Content Note

This series is comprised of correspondence, memorandum and other documents pertaining to the Providence Branch of the NAACP from 1970 to 1971. Additional materials include documents for the organization's New England Regional Conferences.

 Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically.

 2 8 Annual Freedom Fund Banquet1970 2 9 Business Receipts1970 2 10 Committee, Monthy and Annual Reports1970 2 11 NAACP 50th Anniversary Dinner Party1970 2 12 National Correspondence1970 2 13 New England NAACP Conference- Meeting Minutes and Reports1970 2 14 New England NAACP Conference- Memorandum1970 2 15 Notices and Memorandum1970 2 16 Regional Correspondence1970 2 17 Photographs1970-1971 2 18 Annual Freedom Fund Banquet1971 2 19 Business Receipts and Statements1971 2 20 Correspondence, January-June1971 2 21 Correspondence, July-December1971 2 22 Desegration Plan for Providence Schools1971 2 23 Discrimation Cases1971 2 24 Employment Brochures1971 2 25 Employment Notices1971 2 26 Focus Vol. 1, no.1-no.61971 2 27 Housing1971 2 28 Legistlative Handouts1971 2 29 Military Regulations1971 2 30 Miscellaneous Flyers and Notices1971 2 31 Miss Black Teenage America1971 2 32 Monthly Meeting Minutes1971 2 33 Municipal Memo No.8-No.171971 2 34 NAACP Annual Convention1971 2 35 NAACP Annual Convention- Delegates Report1971 2 36 NAACP Convention Ribbon1971 3 1 NAACP Convention Photograph1971 3 2 NAACP National Conference1971 3 3 NAACP New England Conference1971 3 4 NAACP 62nd Annual Conference1971 3 5 NAACP Urban Program Department1971 3 6 National Correspondence1971 3 7 New England Conference1971 3 8 New England Conference, NAACP Memorandums1971 3 9 New England Conference, Treasurers Reports1971 3 10 Newsclippings1971 3 11 Newsletters1971 3 12 Political Flyers1971 3 13 Progress for Providence1971 3 14 Promotional Brochures1971 3 15 Region III Leadership Conference1971 3 16 Regional Correspondence1971 3 17 Rehnquist Nomination1971 3 18 Welfare Programs1971 NAACP 1972 42 folders letters (correspondence) memorandum minutes Scope and Content Note

This series is comprised of correspondence, memorandum and other documents pertaining to the Providence Branch of the NAACP from 1972. Additional materials include documents for the organization's New England Regional Conferences.

 Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically.

 3 19 Activism Flyers1972 3 20 "Black is Beautiful" Contest1972 3 21 The Challenge1972 3 22 Christmas Card1972 3 23 Correspondence, January-April1972 3 24 Correspondence, May-August1972 3 25 Correspondence, September-December1972 3 26 Correspondence, undated1972 3 27 Court Documents and Legal Correspondence1972 3 28 Employment Notices1972 3 29 Focus, Vol. II 1-41972 3 30 Fundraising Events1972 3 31 Hotel Information1972 3 32 HUD1972 3 33 Lawrence E. Brown Testimonial Dinner program1972 3 34 Legislative Handouts1972 3 35 Martin Luther King Foundation1972 3 36 Meeting Minutes and Reports1972 3 37 Memorandum1972 3 38 Memorandum from Misc. Associations January-May1972 3 39 Memorandum from Misc. Associations June-December1972 3 40 Miscellaneous Newsletters1972 3 41 Municipal Memo 1972 Session, No. 1-12, 141972 3 42 NAACP Annual Convention- Brochures1972 3 43 NAACP Annual Convention- Claire H. Read1972 3 44 NAACP Annual Convention- Clippings1972 3 45 NAACP Annual Convention- Non-NAACP Brochures1972 4 1 NAACP Annual Convention- Summary Minutes1972 4 2 NAACP Leadership Conference1972 4 3 NAACP Membership Drive1972 4 4 NAACP and National Black Political Convention1972 4 5 NAACP Officer Nominating1972 4 6 NAACP 63rd Annual Conference1972 4 7 NAACP Conference Correspondence1972 4 8 NAACP Patrons, Correspondence1972 4 9 National Association of Social Workers1972 4 10 New England Conference, NAACP Memos1972 4 11 Newsclippings1972 4 12 Non-NAACP Brochure1972 4 13 Non-NAACP Newsletter1972 4 14 Photograph- Unidentified1972 4 15 Statements, Press Releases and Newsletters1972 4 16 Voter Information1972 NAACP 1973 38 folders letters (correspondence) memorandum minutes pamphlets Scope and Content Note

This series is comprised of correspondence, memorandum and other documents pertaining to the Providence Branch of the NAACP from 1973. Among the highlights include documents that showcase the NAACP's commitment to providing quality housing and employment to Rhode Island's African Americans. Documents for education are highlighted in the documents pertaining to HUD Project Status and Control Report.

 Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically.

 4 17 American Association for Higher Education1973 4 18 Black Coaltion on Building Trades1973 4 19 Correspondence, January-July1973 4 20 Correspondence, August-December1973 4 21 Court Documents and Legal Corresondence1973 4 22 Discrimination Cases- Civil1973 4 23 Discrimination Cases- Police1973 4 24 Emergency School Aid Act1973 4 25 Employment Correspondence (Misc.)1973 4 26 Employment Correspondence (NAACP)1973 4 27 Employment Notices1973 4 28 Financial Receipts1973 4 29 Fundraisers1973 4 30 HUD Documents1973 4 31 HUD Project Status and Control Report, March-July1973 4 32 HUD Project Status and Control Report, August-December1973 4 33 Magazine Article1973 4 34 Martine Luther King Foundation1973 4 35 Meetings and Reports1973 4 36 Memorandum, January-June1973 4 37 Memorandum, July-December1973 4 38 Miscellaneous Documents1973 4 39 Miscellaneous Employment Documents1973 4 40 Miscellaneous Events and Get Togethers1973 4 41 Miscellaneous Financial Documents and Memorandum1973 4 42 Miscellaneous Memorandum1973 4 43 NAACP Conferences, Meetings and Banquets1973 4 44 NAACP Guidelines1973 5 1 NAACP Press Releases and Statments1973 5 2 NAACP Publications1973 5 3 NAACP 64th Annual Conference1973 5 4 Newsletters1973 5 5 Newspaper Clippings1973 5 6 Non-NAACP Statments1973 5 7 RI Construction Industry Employment Opportunity Plan1973 5 8 Pamphlets1973 5 9 Progress for Providence1973 5 10 Recruitment and Training Program1973 5 11 Urban League of Rhode Island1973 NAACP 1974 52 folders letters (correspondence) memorandum minutes pamphlets Scope and Content Note

This series is comprised of correspondence, memorandum and other documents pertaining to the Providence Branch of the NAACP from 1974. Among the highlights include documents that showcase the NAACP's commitment to providing quality housing, employment and education for Rhode Island's African Americans. Documents for education are highlighted in the documents pertaining to Emergency School Aid Act (ESAA).

 Arrangement

This series is arranged alphabetically.

 5 12 Adult Education1974 5 13 Affirmative Action1974 5 14 Black Coalition on Building Trades1974 5 15 Civil Liberties Review and League of Women Voters1974 5 16 Civil Service Employment1974 5 17 Correspondence- January-March1974 5 18 Correspondence- April-May1974 5 19 Correspondence- June-August1974 5 20 Correspondence- September-December1974 5 21 Discrimination Cases-Civil1974 5 22 Discrimination Cases-Police1974 5 23 Education Memorandum and Documents1974 5 24 Employment Notices- January-July1974 5 25 Employment Notices- August-December1974 5 26 Employment Vacancy Lists1974 5 27 Employment Vacancy Lists, Contact Info1974 5 28 ESSA Meetings and Minutes1974 5 29 ESSA Memorandum1974 5 30 ESSA Misc. Documents1974 5 31 ESSA Newsletter1974 5 32 Financial Receipts and Documents1974 5 33 Flyers1974 5 34 Forum on Financial Assistance1974 5 35 HUD Project Status and Account Report1974 5 36 IRS Employment Booklet1974 5 37 Martin Luther King Foundation1974 5 38 Membership Drive1974 5 39 NAACP Banquet and Dinner Dance1974 5 40 NAACP Elections1974 5 41 NAACP Fundraising1974 5 42 NAACP Meetings and Minutes1974 5 43 NAACP Memorandum- January-June1974 5 44 NAACP Memorandum- July-December1974 5 45 NAACP Mission Statements1974 5 46 NAACP Newsletters1974 5 47 NAACP 65th Annual Meeting1974 5 48 New England and Regional Conferences1974 6 1 Newsletters1974 6 2 Newspaper Clippings1974 6 3 Notes and Other Documents from Misc. Groups1974 6 4 Other Organizations (Minority Caucus, League of Women Voters and misc.)1974 6 5 Pamphlets1974 6 6 Photographs1974 6 7 Progress for Providence1974 6 8 Project Tracking System1974 6 9 Random Pieces of Paper1974 6 10 Recruitment and Training Program1974 6 11 Resume of McClintock, Marian1974 6 12 RI Construction Industry Employment Opportunity Plan1974 6 13 RI Housing and Mortgage Finance Corp1974 6 14 Solicitors and Mail Order Brochures1974 6 15 Southern Poverty Law Center1974 6 16 UN Booklet1974 The Crisis 1946-1975 80 issues periodicals Scope and Content Note

This series is comprised of issues of The Crisis, the periodical published by the NAACP. The Crisis was first published in 1910 by W.E.B DuBois, a year after the founding of the NAACP.

The Crisis primarily reported on issues concerning African Americans including civil rights, economic opportunities and advancement for the NAACP. Many articles also highlight the work of prominent African Americans and supporters of the NAACP.

This an incomplete run of the serial as there are numerous gaps to the collection. The run spans from 1946 to 1975. Of particular interest is a photocopy of an early July 1914 issue.

Arrangement

This series is arranged chronologically.

 7 The Crisis1914 Jul 7 The Crisis1946 Feb - May 7 The Crisis1947 Feb, Jun, Aug - Dec 7 The Crisis1948 Jan - Aug 7 The Crisis1949 Feb - Dec 7 The Crisis1950 Jan, May, Nov - Dec 7 The Crisis1951 Jan, Mar - Apr, Nov - Dec 7 The Crisis1952 Jan - Apr, Aug - Sep 7 The Crisis1954 Apr - Dec 7 The Crisis1955 Jan - Mar 7 The Crisis1956 Jun - Dec 7 The Crisis1957 Jan, Mar - Apr, Aug - Nov 7 The Crisis1958 Jan - Feb, May - Oct 7 The Crisis1959 Jun - Jul, Oct, Dec 7 The Crisis1960 Apr, Oct, Dec 7 The Crisis1962 Feb, Apr 7 The Crisis1963 Jan, Jun - Jul 7 The Crisis1964 Mar 7 The Crisis1970 Nov 7 The Crisis1973 Jan, Aug- Sep 7 The Crisis1974 Feb 7 The Crisis1975 Jan