Born June 24, 1907, Dean Maxwell S. Thomas was a highly honored Dean of Mechanic Arts at FAMU, educator, advocate for students, and native of Ocala, Florida. The documents in this collection consist of reports, correspondences amongst FAMU presidents and faculty, and documents that highlight his involvement in organizations such as the Orange Blossom Classic Committee and FAMU Foundation. In addition to Dean Thomas’ professional documents, news articles honoring his life and correspondence to his wife, Jaqueline Holloway-Thomas, expressing condolences can be found.

This collection is comprised of printed records that document Davis' military career and his various recognitions for rendering service to the United States as a member of the historic Montford Point U.S. Marines. Included in the records are: cassette tapes (inaudible); correspondence; legislative recognitions from the U.S. Congress, State of Florida, and City of Quincy; news articles, photographs of medals, awards, and resolutions; and a copy of Davis' World War 2 service record.

Dr. James L. Hudson was born in 1904 in Birmingham, Alabama. He attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia. He graduated from the institution in 1926. After graduating, he was ordained as a minister and then enrolled in Colgate-Rochester School of religion, where he camed a divinity degree in 1931. Afterwards, he worked as a chaplain at Leland College in Louisiana until 1946. Later he was carned a doctoral degree from Boston College. Following this, he accepted a position as a chaplain and professor at Florida A&M University (FAMU). At FAMU he created the institution's Department of Religion and Philosophy and served as its first departmental chairperson. In Tallahassee, Hudson was a close friend with another Morehouse graduate, Rev. Charles K. Steele, pastor of the city's Bethel Baptist Church. The two religious leaders worked on numerous civil rights campaigns including the 1956 Tallahassee Bus Boycott.
Hudson was also president of the Tallahassee Ministerial Alliance, a co-founder and active member of the Inter-Civic Council. Even after retiring from FAMU in 1973, Rev. Hudson remained active in civil rights and social justice initiatives. He died in 1980.

This collection consists of the personal papers and sermons of Rev. Elvis W. Spearman, who served as Florida A&M University's postmaster from 19 until his retirement in 1964, and as the FAMU hospital chaplain 1955 to 1964. Rev. Spearman earned an A.B. degree from lega College, and did additional study at FAMU, the University of Chicago, and Deering Community Center.

The materials in this collection were mainly speeches delivered by Rev. Spearman. Most of the speeches are undated. A small amount of materials were from Rev. Spearman's administrative duties at Florida A&M University.

The material of this collection is comprised of both archival records and museum memorabilia relating to the life and death of Jazz legend Julian "Cannonball" Adderley. The material in this collection includes awards, books, correspondences, magazines, newspapers, pictures, programs, and artifacts.