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Bishop David Henry Sims Collection
Bishop David Henry Sims Collection
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection MS_0023 · Collection · 1931 - 1938

Location: AC.8.A.2.4.3
Bishop David Henry Sims was a prominent African American religious leader, educator, and administrator in the African Methodist Episcopal (A.M.E.) Church during the early twentieth century. Born in 1889 in Talladega, Alabama, he was the son of Reverend Felix Rice Sims, a well-educated minister who greatly influenced his early life and commitment to education and faith. Sims pursued higher education at several institutions, including Livingstone College, Oberlin College, and Yale University, where he completed advanced theological training.

Throughout his career, Sims held numerous leadership roles in both religious and academic settings. He served as a professor of education and later as vice president at Morris Brown College in Atlanta, Georgia. His work within the A.M.E. Church included pastoral leadership, administrative service, and participation in major church conferences. In 1932, he was elected Bishop in the A.M.E. Church, marking a significant achievement in his career.

Sims was also involved in broader social and political efforts, including service on commissions related to education and public affairs. His work extended internationally, particularly in South Africa, where he contributed to missionary and educational initiatives. His life and career reflect a deep commitment to religious leadership, education, and the advancement of African American communities during a period of significant social change.

The majority of the records in this collection are handwritten letters from Bishop Sims to his sister, Mrs. Miriam Sims-Tooke. These letters provide a detailed and intimate account of his daily life, thoughts, and activities, particularly during the period in which he was working in South Africa. Through this correspondence, the collection highlights Sims’ involvement in missionary work, his observations of social and cultural conditions abroad, and his ongoing connection to family in the United States.

In addition to correspondence, the collection includes greeting cards and photographs that further document Sims’ personal and professional networks. These materials complement the letters by providing visual and contextual evidence of his life and relationships during this period.

The collection was processed in 1985 and is arranged at the file level, reflecting a coherent grouping of personal papers centered on correspondence and related materials. Collectively, the Bishop David Henry Sims Collection offers a unique perspective on the experiences of an African American religious leader working in an international context, while also shedding light on familial bonds, missionary efforts, and transnational connections within the African diaspora during the early twentieth century.
Black Entertainers
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection CO_0001-CO_0001_02_01-Box 01 · 1900 - 2017
Part of Meek-Eaton Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center and Museum Collection

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.
Black Entertainers
Meek-Eaton Archival Collection CO_0001-CO_0001_02_01 · Collection · Concentrated Dates 1968-1985
Part of Meek-Eaton Southeastern Regional Black Archives Research Center and Museum Collection

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.