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A photograph of attendees of the 1982 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University, resting at decorated tables set up in Evans Hall. Couples are having conversations and a drink table is visible in the far background.

A photograph of attendees of the 1982 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University, resting at decorated tables set up in Evans Hall.

A candid photograph taken during the 1982 Black Ball, put on by the Student Association for Black Unity, of several men laughing and talking.

This report from the Faculty Committee on Christian Work outlines the Board of Trustees' decision to bar the University Committee on Christian Work from inviting Martin Luther King, Jr. to speak at the 1961-1962 Seminars in Religion.

A photograph of eight members of the 1982 Student Association for Black Unity (SABU) at Washington and Lee University.

A large group photograph of the 1982 members of the Student Association for Black Unity (SABU) at Washington and Lee University on the staircase of Evans Hall.

In this handwritten letter, a Mrs. E. M. Owen writes the Board of Trustees expressing her disdain at the possibility of Martin Luther King, Jr. speaking at Washington and Lee. She also urges the Trustees to examine the faculty and weed out the communists.

This letter from YMCA secretary L. Maynard Catchings invites Washington and Lee President Gaines to call upon the services of the YMCA in desegregating the University. Gaines replies, stating that he will get in touch if assistance is desired.

This letter is a follow-up to an April 13, 1954 letter from National Student Council of the YMCA secretary L. Maynard Catchings.�

A photograph of the main performer for the 1981 Black Ball at Washington and Lee University taken from the back of the stage.

A photograph of the performers at the 1977 Black Ball in Evans Hall at Washington and Lee University. The band has a horn section, drummer, several guitarists, along wih the lead singer. The trumpet player and saxophone player are dancing.

A photograph of the performers at the 1977 Black Ball in Evans Hall at Washington and Lee University. The trumpet player and saxophone player are playing their instruments.

A photograph of the performers at the 1977 Black Ball in Evans Hall at Washington and Lee University. The trumpet player and saxophone player are dancing and pointing at the crowd while the lead singer is singing into the microphone.

A photograph of the performers at the 1982 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University. The guitarist is playing while being held up by several band mates.

A photograph of the performers at the 1982 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University. The members of the horn section are playing their instruments, joined on stage by the drummer, a guitarist, and another band member.

A photograph of several black students dancing in Evans Hall at the 1977 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University..

A photograph of students dancing to music being performed live in Evans Hall at the 1977 Black Ball at Washington and Lee University. The performers are visible in the background of the photograph.

A photograph of several black students dancing in Evans Hall at the 1981 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University.

A photograph of several black students dancing in Evans Hall at the 1981 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University.

A photograph of students dancing at the 1982 Black Ball, a formal dance put on by the Student Assocation for Black Unity at Washington and Lee University. The band's keytar player is on the dance floor next to the dancing couple.