Browse the Collection

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.

(First row, left to right): Sharon Israel, Kim Broxton, Debbie Mitchell, Roslyn Lawson, Blondie Jones, Denise Brookins, Gloria Allen. (Second row, left to right): Victor Crawford, Clyde Clark, Thomas Francis, Gigi Morgan, Luther Graham, Rodney Akins, Kirk Twine. Fourteen Black Student Union members gather around a sofa for their yearbook picture. This is the fourth such yearbook photograph of Black Student Union members gathered for their student organization picture.

This recruitment letter from Black Student Union President Roxwell Robinson invites African American students accepted by Rollins College Admissions to join him at Rollins and participate in BSU activities. It demonstrates the BSU’s cooperative relationship with Rollins' administration.

These membership lists show Black Student Union members between 1972 and 1976, organized by officer status or level of activity. The 1972-1973 academic year list has the highest number of members, but all three lists have consistency in returning members.

The flyer invites the Rollins community to attend an open discussion meeting in 1972 with the Black Student Union. This meeting was to address concerns about the purpose of the first scheduled Black Awareness Week, since there had been a mixed response to news of plans for this event.

This article, written by Mary McLeod Bethune, discusses her friendship with President Hamilton Holt. It outlines the path of acceptance of African Americans at Rollins College, and her hope for further acceptance and integration in the future. Circa 1955-1956

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.

A letter to the mayor and the Chief of Police from the Race Relations Committee Faculty Advisor, communicating the group's efforts to solicit donations from a few Winter Park residents. The letter indicates that the group needed permission to raise funds for DePugh Nursing Home, a nursing home for African American residents.

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.

In Fall 1972, Black Student Union President Krisita Jackson invites all faculty members to contact the BSU office or Dean Alzo J. Reddick with any concerns about the nature of the planned Black Awareness Week. This is in response to the allocation of $2500 for the event.

A mission statement provided by the Rollins College Interfaith and Race Relations Committee regarding improving relations between various racial and religious groups. The statement uses idealistic and vague language along with war imagery to convey their dedication to the ideals of peace and prosperity of all groups.

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.