Browse the Collection

Two programs that were provided for attendees at the Annual Race Relations Sunday held at Rollins College. The event focused on music, academic remarks, films, and sermons that related to racial or religious issues.

Carol Berkley, a member of the Race Relations Committee, describes the work of the group from January to March 1946, including holding Race Relations Sunday, volunteering at the Hungerford School, and working with local African American high schools. The description gives insight into the focus of the group from its start and how they are attempting to improve race relations locally.

Twenty Black Student Union members pose for their student organization’s yearbook photograph. This is the first Black Student Union photograph included in the Tomokan yearbook. Back row: Krisita Jackson, Theda James, Deborah Coleman, Brenda Martin, Reggie Brock, Blanche Jackson, Lonnie Butler, Otis Cameron, Rodney Dowling. Middle row: Lorraine Powell, Marcus Wilson, Grace Borom, Juanita Gibson, Jennifer Matthews, Roxwell Robinson, Arlinda Staley. Front row: Guilda Brandon, Theotis Bronson, Constance Blackman, Errol Cunningham.

Thirteen members of the Black Student Union gather for their yearbook photo. They are seated on the steps of Bush Science Center. (First row, left to right): Douglas Pollard, Denise Brookins, Blondie Jones, Priscilla Lyons, Roxwell Robinson. (Second row, left to right): Vic Crumity, Errol Cunningham, Willie Flowers, Dick Twine, Roslyn Lawson, Luther Graham, Kimberly Broxton, Sharon Israel.

An overview of completed and planned tasks for the Race Relations Committee in November 1945. The activities show the interaction between the group and local African American community to volunteer, donate, and share ideas.

The administration responds to student demands for more Black studies by creating a winter term course on "Black Literature, History and Sociology." The Dean of Rollins College consulted the Dean of Bethune-Cookman College on the structure and content of the course, demonstrating continued cooperation between the two institutions.

Winter Park Topics reports that the need for an African American policeman in West Winter Park was brought up at a meeting of the Woman's Club. Before the presentation about a new nursing home in west Winter Park, Bertram Scott tells the audience that the policeman would improve the safety of west Winter Park and notes that both Sanford and Orlando are ahead of Winter Park in introducing African American police officers.

Exterior of the Recreation Hall, where Zora Neale Hurston produced her play, "From Sun to Sun" in 1933.

Black Student Union President Roxwell Robinson writes to President Jack Critchfield, requesting that the College offer at least three Black Culture courses per academic year, even in the face of financial difficulty. President Critchfield responds that he cannot make a guarantee, but that he and the administration intend to preserve Black Culture courses in the curriculum.