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.

Letter from Conway Boatman to Walter A. Groves regarding Union College's policy on race

Letter from H. Leo Eddleman to Walter A. Groves regarding Georgetown College's policy on race

Letter from President Groves, dated May 12, 1950, to the B.O.T. in which Groves entreats the Board to "give very careful consideration to the course they deem best to follow in the question of whether or not the college should open its doors to Negro students." Groves references Senate Bill No. 100, states his own desire to integrate the College slowly, and references the American minorities faculty questionnaire distributed in January 1949, the results of which showed a majority of faculty respondents in favor of desegregation

Letter from Z. T. Johnson to Walter A. Groves regarding Asbury College's policy on race

Letter from Ms. Martha D. Simpson of Danville, KY, dated July 17, 1954, to the Centre College Office of the Dean, requesting a college catalog and application for admission

Letter from Centre College Dean Jameson M. Jones to Ms. Martha D. Simpson, dated July 21, 1954, in which he rejects her application for admission to Centre College based upon the fact that Ms. Simpson was a graduate of Bate High School, an all-black school in Danville, and therefore assumed to be a person of color and thus not eligible for admission

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.

Report on the Bluegrass Barbershop moving from South Third Street to West Walnut Street. Barber Lester Tarter contends he was forced out. Comments from barber Either O. Richardson contending that he would lose white customers if he integrated his shop

Letter from Centre College President Walter A. Groves, dated October 18, 1954, to Bellarmine College President Alfred F. Horrigan inquiring as to Bellarmine's policies on admitting students of color, and Bellarmine's response