Mayor for Life

Written by Netisha Currie and Tina Ligon, National Archives at College Park “My greatest work comes in the community” ~ Marion Barry Today is the annual Turkey Giveaway - a local tradition of Southeast Washington, DC in which former mayor Marion Barry would give out turkeys and vegetables to less fortunate residents so that they … Continue reading Mayor for Life

NARA at ASALH

written by Dr. Tina L. Ligon, Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland   For many years, employees at the National Archives have participated in the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) annual conferences. They've shared information on records relating to the black experience that can be found … Continue reading NARA at ASALH

After the Civil Rights Act, Now What?

Today's blog was written by Dr. Tina L. Ligon, Archivist at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland The passage of the Civil Rights in 1964 gave African Americans hope for equality in America.  The act allowed for the Department of Justice (DOJ) to initiate lawsuits on behalf of individuals who were discriminated against on … Continue reading After the Civil Rights Act, Now What?

The Road to the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Today’s blog is written by Dr. Tina L. Ligon, Archivist and Damon Turner, doctoral student at Morgan State University and summer intern at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland. At the conclusion of World War II, African Americans began an aggressive campaign to achieve equal rights in America.  Organizations such as the National Association … Continue reading The Road to the Civil Rights Act of 1964

Federal Records Relating to the Brown v. Board of Education Case

Today’s blog is introduced and compiled by Dr. Tina Ligon, with the assistance of fellow archivists, specialists, and technicians at the National Archives.   May 17, 2014 marks the 60th anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court decision regarding education in America.  The Oliver L. Brown et. al.  v. Board of Education of Topeka (KS) ruling declared … Continue reading Federal Records Relating to the Brown v. Board of Education Case

I too, am Rosie

Today’s blog is written by Dr. Tina L. Ligon, Archivist at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland Black women have a long history of work in the United States. They have toiled in hot fields, cared for other people’s children, cleaned homes, worked in factories, taught in poorly funded schools, and held numerous professional … Continue reading I too, am Rosie

Harmon Foundation Collection: Artwork by Black Artists

Today's blog post was written by Tina L. Ligon, Archivist at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland. At the National Archives there are several collections affiliated with the federal government that has records relating to the African and African American experience. One such collection is the Harmon Foundation Collection that contains photographs of paintings, … Continue reading Harmon Foundation Collection: Artwork by Black Artists

Re-Post: Celebrating the 95th Birthday of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela through NARA Photographs

Today's blog was written by Tina L. Ligon, Archivist at the National Archives and Michael Arzate, Summer Diversity Intern at the National Archives In honor of the life of Nelson Mandela, the Rediscovery Black History committee would like to re-post this blog from July 18, 2013.   Rest in Peace Madiba. There is perhaps no … Continue reading Re-Post: Celebrating the 95th Birthday of Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela through NARA Photographs

Wanted: Colored Inventors

Today's blog post was written by Tina L. Ligon,  Supervisory Archivist at the National Archives at College Park, Maryland Most of what we know about African American inventors came from the research of Henry E. Baker. Born on September 1, 1857, in Columbia, Mississippi, Baker made it his mission to identify and publicly highlight the … Continue reading Wanted: Colored Inventors

Re-Introducing RG 60 Class 144 (Civil Rights) Litigation Case Files

 Today's blog is written by Tina L. Ligon, Archivist at the National Archives in College Park, Maryland In April 2013, the processing for Class 144 (Civil Rights) Litigation Case Files (National Archives Identifier 603432) series [RG 60 General Records of the Department of Justice] began. Litigation case files were created or accumulated by the various … Continue reading Re-Introducing RG 60 Class 144 (Civil Rights) Litigation Case Files