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The Black Entertainers collection (approx. early 1900s-2017), donated by Mildred S. Kershaw, is a one-box collection that highlights the legacy of Black Entertainment. This collection contains professional correspondence, newspaper articles, publications, miscellaneous objects, promotional photographs, and programs that document the profound history and culture of Black people. This
collection embodies the powerful themes of Black liberation, Black expression, Black representation, and Black ownership to demonstrate the strong control Black people have over their culture. The locations associated with this collection are: Tallahassee, Florida; Ocala, Florida; Charleston, West Virginia; Jacksonville, Florida; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, D.C.; New York, New York; Johannesburg, South Africa; and New Orleans, Louisiana. Although this collection has a strong foundation in documenting the history and culture of Black entertainment, many of its items are undated and unnamed, which limits the collection’s ability to accurately contextualize each item and folder.

Location: AC.7.B.

The Black Entertainers Collection (approximately early 1900s–2017), donated by Mildred S. Kershaw, is a one-box collection that documents the legacy, cultural impact, and historical significance of Black entertainment across local, national, and international contexts. The materials within this collection reflect the breadth of Black artistic expression and professional achievement, highlighting themes of Black liberation, representation, ownership, and cultural preservation. Geographic locations associated with the collection include Tallahassee and Jacksonville, Florida; Ocala, Florida; Charleston, West Virginia; Chicago, Illinois; Washington, D.C.; New York, New York; New Orleans, Louisiana; and Johannesburg, South Africa, illustrating the widespread influence of Black entertainers and cultural production.

The collection consists of professional correspondence, newspaper articles, publications, promotional photographs, programs, and miscellaneous objects that collectively document the careers, public reception, and cultural contributions of Black entertainers. These materials provide insight into performance history, media representation, and community engagement, while also preserving evidence of the social and political contexts in which Black entertainers operated. Although the collection offers a strong foundation for understanding the history and evolution of Black entertainment, many items are undated and lack clear identification, which limits the ability to fully contextualize specific individuals, events, and materials.

Items within the collection are arranged in series according to the type of communication object they represent, such as correspondence, printed materials, and visual media. Within each series, materials are organized in alphanumeric order to maintain a consistent and accessible structure. Attachments associated with individual items are arranged chronologically by year to preserve original context and sequencing. All documents have been placed in protective sleeves and any original hardware has been removed to support long-term preservation.