Browse the Collection

Alton Williams, valedictorian, Black Student Union President, class of 1975, with his son

Reporting on the Advisory Board meeting, during which was discussed, among other things (including the Yerkes lounge to be used by the BSU), the incident involving the Dekes wearing white sheets at the BSU basketball game, and ensuing confrontation between Dekes and members of the BSU at Cowan which resulted in a member of the Deke fraternity being injured after being struck by a glass by a member of the BSU.

Ollie Lee Taylor wrote a letter to express his appreciation to everyone who helped participate in the fight against discrimination in the local barbershops. He also wrote about the work that still needed to be done which included holding Danville accountable and continuing to push for change in other areas within the community

Black Student Union sweethearts riding on the back of a convertible, presumably during the 1975 Homecoming parade.

Opinion piece regarding the picketing of segregated barbershops. Also commends student Ollie Taylor’s campaign, as well as pointing out that Centre should be an example for Danville as to what integration looks like. Includes corresponding cartoon.

The completed report from the Commission on the Black Experience at Centre College offers recommendations to improve the Centre experience for black students

Report on a meeting of the Black‐White Coalition. Topics of discussion: Report from the Commission on the Black Experience; working towards the improvement of the experience of black students on campus; campus fraternities and racism.

1975 Homecoming Queen Pamela Miller Hanley, class of 1976

Editorial cartoon celebrating the East District Federal Court order invalidating a section of Kentucky law that allowed Danville barbershops to discriminate against African American customers

Explains the next steps in the lawsuit filed against the barbers in Danville that refused to cut black hair. The article emphasizes how students were determined to find a solution to put an end to segregation, even if the case was not ruled in their favor

The article explains how the judge ordered the barbers to integrate. Centre’s Dean expressed his excitement. There appears to be a positive reaction from faculty and staff members which may represent the attitudes of the leadership at this time.

Members of the Black Student Union, 1973: Sheila Burks (acting president), William Washington, Curtis Holeman, Jay Anderson, Al Williams, Carol Anderson, Pam Miller, Paula Crumbie, Hazel Barlow, Titus Bryant, Toni Edmundson, Donna Thomas.

Video interview with Gordon Benning, class of 1970. and his wife, Pat Benning. Mr. Benning enrolled at Centre College in 1966, just two years after the College officially integrated in 1964. Mrs. Benning, is a Danville, Ky. native, and the two dated while Mr. Benning attended Centre.

Video interview with Jim Davis, one of the first three African Americans to attend Centre College. Mr. Davis enrolled at Centre College in the fall of 1964 as the only African American male. He graduated in 1968.

Written transcription of the oral history interview with Jim Davis, one of the first three African Americans to attend Centre College. Mr. Davis enrolled at Centre College in the fall of 1964 as the only African American male. He graduated in 1968.

Video interview with Raymond Burse, who graduated from Centre College in 1973. Mr. Burse is a distinguished Rhodes Scholar, studied organic chemistry at Oxford, and attended Harvard Law School. He has been a member of the Centre College Board of Trustees and the president of Kentucky State University.

Students pose at the Flame, one of the campus's most iconic sculptures

An article giving more details regarding the charges against Danville barbershops

Report on the barbershop discrimination suit of Taylor, et. al. vs. Richardson, et. al. There were barbershops in Danville that did not cut the hair of black customers. Centre students and community members brought light to the discrimination which eventually appeared in a federal court hearing.

An article about Ollie Taylor, a Centre student who led the efforts to desegregate Danville barbershops the previous spring. The Cento staff interviewed Taylor to get updates on the current situation as well interviewing other students on their opinions.