Image assets for this folder have not been fully processed.
We apologize for any inconvenience.The collection is arranged as 12 series.
Jeff Donaldson papers, 1918-2005, bulk 1960s-2005
Contents and Arrangement
Series 1:
Biographical Material
, 1954-2004
0.3 Linear feetBox 1, OV 14
Biographical material includes Donaldson's school, military, and divorce records, as well as various passports. Certificates include a copy of his birth certificate, two certificates of appointment to the District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities, and a leadership certificate from the African Heritage Studies Association. Also found is documentation on the renovation of Donaldson's Washington, DC, home and the LeDroit Park community, his daughter's written remarks from his memorial service, and various resumes and biographical summaries written by Donaldson and others.
The bulk of this series has been digitized. Divorce records have not been digitized.
| Description | Container | |
|---|---|---|
| Biographical Summaries and Resumes, circa 1970s-1990s |
1 1 |
|
| Biographical Summaries and Resumes, 1990s-circa 2001 |
1 2 |
|
| Certificates , 1968-1997 |
1 3 |
|
| Divorces, 1987-1988, 1963 |
1 4 |
|
| FBI FOIPA Request, 1980 |
1 5 |
|
| Home Renovation Project, LeDroit Park, 1979-1982 |
1 6 |
|
| LeDroit Park, 1979-1998 |
1 7 |
|
| Memorial, "Jam's Remarks", 2004 |
1 8 |
|
| Passports, Jeff Donaldson, 1968-1997 |
1 9 |
|
| Passports, Jameela Donaldson, 1979, 1987 |
1 10 |
|
| School Records, 1954-1964 |
1 11 |
|
| Screen Test, Velvet Film Productions, 1967-1968 |
1 12 |
|
| Veterans Administration, 1955-1986 |
1 13 |
|
| Oversized Certificates from Box 1, folder 3 |
14 |
Series 2:
Correspondence
, 1957-2004
0.3 Linear feetBox 1
Correspondence is from universities, arts organizations, committees, and colleagues, detailing Donaldson's professional activities, including workshops, conferences, exhibitions, and publications. Also of note are a few letters from artist Gwendolyn Brooks and editor Hoyt Fuller, including correspondence between Donaldson and the African Studies and Research Center at Cornell University regarding Donaldson's portrait of Fuller. Correspondence from 1979 includes a transcript of a 1979 interview of Donaldson conducted by Kay Brown in January, 1979. A substantial amount of additional correspondence is included in Series 7: Professional Files.
General correspondence is primarily incoming. Outgoing correspondence consists primarily of copies of Donaldson's outgoing letters with some replies.
The series has been digitized in entirety.
Series 3:
Interviews
, 1959-1997
1.7 Linear feetBoxes1-3
This series includes two transcripts of interviews of Jeff Donaldson as well as sound recordings of at least forty artist interviews conducted by Donaldson.
The 1979 interview of Donaldson, conducted by Peter Mark, focuses on AfriCOBRA, and includes related letters from Mark. The 1997 interview with Donaldson was conducted for a public television series on 20th century visual and performing arts, entitled I'll Make Me A World: Stories of African American Art, Artists, and Community.
Interviews with Charles Alston, Romare Bearden, Bob Blackburn, Aaron Douglas, Norman Lewis, Hale Woodruff, and others were conducted in 1972 as research for Donaldson's dissertation: "Generation '306' – Harlem, New York." These interviews detail each artists' experiences in the New York arts community during the Harlem Renaissance, and their memories of other African American artists working during that time. Interviews found at the end of the series possibly duplicate or supplement some of these interviews, although interviewees are not directly identified on the recordings or on the media.
Additional interviews found here were conducted primarily in 1980 and 1986-1987 as part of Donaldson's research on contemporary visual artists, and for various unspecified projects.
Following transcripts of Jeff Donaldson interviews, interviews are arranged in alphabetical order by interviewee. Some box and folder numbers appear out of order if they contain more than one interview on a single cassette.
A portion of this series has been digitized including paper records, such as transcripts, and some of the interviews.
| Description | Container | |
|---|---|---|
| Interview of Jeff Donaldson, Transcript, 1978-1979 |
1 34 |
|
| Interview of Jeff Donaldson for "I'll Make Me a World," Transcript, 1997 |
1 35 |
|
|
Tina Allen, undated
1 sound cassette |
1 36 |
|
|
Charles Alston, circa 1972
2 sound cassettes incomplete copies of original recording 1 sound cassette original |
1 37 |
|
|
Kwasi Asantey, Inkster, MI, 1986 October 17
1 sound cassette |
1 38 |
|
|
Ellsworth Ausby, circa 1972-circa 1987
1 sound cassette |
1 38 |
|
|
Romare Bearden Statement on 306 West 141st Street, circa 1972
2 sound cassettes 1 cassette is possibly a duplicate |
1 39 |
|
|
Romare Bearden, circa 1972
1 sound cassette Handwritten note on original cassette: "Bearden-reaction to outline" |
1 40 |
|
|
Phoebe Beasley, circa 1972-circa 1987
1 sound cassette |
1 41 |
|
|
Bob Blackburn, circa 1972
1 sound cassette |
1 40 |
|
|
David Bradford, Oakland, CA, 1987 May 30
1 sound cassette |
1 42 |
|
| Nathaniel Bustion, 1987 |
3 6 |
|
|
Nancy Cox, 1987
1 sound cassette |
2 10 |
|
|
Dewey Crumpler, Berkeley, CA, 1987 May 31
1 sound cassette |
1 42 |
|
|
Louis Delsarte, circa 1972-circa 1987
1 sound cassette |
1 43 |
|
|
Milton Derr, Boston, MA, 1987 June 10
1 sound cassette |
1 43 |
|
|
Robert Dillworth, Chicago, 1987 May 17
1 sound cassette |
1 43 |
|
|
Aaron Douglas, circa 1972
4 sound cassettes |
2 1 |
|
|
Jeffrey Gaddy, 1987
1 sound cassette |
2 11 |
|
|
Tyrone Geter, Boston, MA, 1987 June 18
1 sound cassette |
2 2 |
|
|
Ron Griffin, Los Angeles, CA., 1987 June 3
1 sound cassette |
2 2 |
|
|
Maren Hassenger, circa 1987
1 sound cassette |
2 3 |
|
|
Freida High, 1959 June 28
1 sound cassette |
2 2 |
|
|
Ray Holbert, Berkeley, CA, 1987 May 31
1 sound cassette |
2 3 |
|
|
Varnett Honeywood, Transcript of Interview; Mildred Howard, Berkeley, CA, 1990, 1987 May 30
1 sound cassette |
2 4 |
|
|
Suzanne Jackson, Oakland, CA, 1987 May 31
1 sound cassette |
2 5 |
|
| Wadsworth Jarrell, 1987 |
3 3 |
|
|
Lester Johnson, 1986 October 15
1 sound cassette |
2 5 |
|
|
Donald Joyce, 1980 May 18
1 sound cassette |
2 5 |
|
|
Norman Lewis, 1972 August 4
3 sound cassettes |
2 6 |
|
|
Jon Lockard, 1986 October 15
2 sound cassettes |
2 7 |
|
|
Lymos Medlock, circa 1987
1 sound cassette |
2 8 |
|
|
Lev Mills, Atlanta, GA, 1987 May 20
1 sound cassette |
2 8 |
|
|
Lev Mills, 1987 May 20
1 sound cassettes (microcassette) |
3 4 |
|
|
Arthur Monroe, Oakland, CA, 1987 May 30
2 sound cassettes |
2 9 |
|
|
Senga Nengudi, 1987
1 sound cassette Handwritten note on original cassette: "Los Angeles Artists. 1. Senga Nengudi 2. Lamonte Westmoreland 3. Nancy Cox |
2 10 |
|
|
Rochelle Nickolas, 1987
1 sound cassette |
2 11 |
|
|
Ademola Olugebefol, circa 1987
1 sound cassette |
2 12 |
|
|
Mary Lovelace O'Neal, Oakland, CA, 1987 May 31
1 sound cassette |
2 12 |
|
|
Curtis Patterson, Atlanta, GA, 1987 May 2
1 sound cassette |
2 13 |
|
|
James Phillips, Oakland, CA, 1987 May 29
2 sound cassettes |
2 14 |
|
|
James Phillips, 1987 May 29
1 sound cassettes (microcassette) |
3 3 |
|
|
W. Pickett, circa 1972-circa 1987
1 sound cassette |
2 15 |
|
| Elliott Pinkney, 1987 |
3 5 |
|
|
R. Pious, circa 1972-circa 1987
1 sound cassette |
2 15 |
|
|
Arnold Prince, Providence, RI, circa 1987
1 sound cassette |
2 18 |
|
|
David Ross, Chicago, IL, 1980 May 18
2 sound cassettes |
2 16 |
|
| Mahler Ryder, 1987 |
3 6 |
|
| Joe Sam, 1987 |
3 3 |
|
|
Earl Sweeting, undated
2 sound cassettes |
2 17 |
|
| Matthew Thomas, 1987 |
3 5 |
|
|
Lamonte Westmoreland, 1987
1 sound cassette |
2 10 |
|
|
Claudia Widdis, Providence, RI, 1987 June 17
1 sound cassette |
2 18 |
|
|
Shirley Woodson Reid, Detroit, MI, 1986 October 17
1 sound cassette |
2 19 |
|
|
Hale Woodruff, circa 1972
3 sound cassettes |
2 19 |
|
|
Interviews for "Generation '306' - Harlem, New York", circa 1972
3 sound cassettes |
2 20 |
|
|
Interviews for "Generation '306' - Harlem, New York", circa 1972
2 sound cassettes |
3 1 |
|
|
Interviews for "Generation '306' - Harlem, New York", circa 1972
2 sound cassettes |
3 2 |
Series 4:
Writings
, 1963-2003
0.5 Linear feetBox 3
Writings are arranged as two subseries.
- 4.1: Writings by Donaldson, 1963-2003
- 4.2: Writings by Others, circa 1969-2002
4.1: Writings by Donaldson , 1963-2003
Donaldson's writings include drafts of articles, essays, and speeches written by Donaldson as well as notes, an outline, and excerpts of Donaldson's dissertation entitled "Generation '306' – Harlem, New York." Researchers should note that a complete version of the dissertation is not included in the collection.
This series has been digitized in entirety.
4.2: Writings by Others , circa 1969-2002
This series has been digitized in entirety.
Series 5:
Artist Files
, 1928-2003
1.1 Linear feetBoxes 3-4
Artist files were compiled by Donaldson for his dissertation research, course lectures, FESTAC, and other projects. Files may include handwritten notes, resumes, photographs of the artists and their artwork, press clippings, and exhibition publications; many also include "preliminary information sheets" compiled for his dissertation, and information collected for his study of contemporary visual artists during the 1980s. Only a few files include correspondence with the artist. Of note are a few letters from artist Romare Bearden and two letters from Jacob Lawrence. The Barry (Edmund) Gaither file includes the volume 1, number 1 issue of ABA: A Journal of Affairs of Black Artists, as well as correspondence regarding establishing the journal. The file on Archibald J. Motley, Jr., includes a handwritten manuscript entitled "How I Solve My Painting Problems," describing his artistic process and his detailed thoughts on depictions of African Americans in art. The file also includes a letter signed by seven artists protesting the method of selection for muralists for an exposition in Chicago at the Coliseum, and a 1928 photograph of Motley, Jr.
Artist files are arranged alphabetically by artist name. Within folders, records are arranged by type rather than chronologically.
The bulk of this series has been digitized.
Series 6:
Exhibition Files
, circa 1966-2000
1.3 Linear feetBoxes 4-6
Exhibition files include detailed records of the TransAfrican Art Invitational Exhibition, curated by Donaldson in 1997 at the Orlando Museum of Art, and records of the solo and group exhibition of Donaldson's artwork from the late 1960s to 2000.
This series is arranged as 2 subseries.
- 9.1: TransAfrican Art Invitational Exhibition Files, 1980s-1998
- 9.2: Other Exhibitions, circa 1966-2000
6.1: TransAfrican Art Invitational Exhibition (1997-1998) , 1980s-1998
Records of the TransAfrican Art Invitational Exhibition, curated by Donaldson at the Orlando Museum of Art in 1997, include biographical information about the participating artists, general records, and draft materials for the exhibition catalog. Information about the participating artists may include photographs and slides of the artists and their artworks, resumes, artist statements, exhibition publications, and press clippings. General records primarily include correspondence with the Orlando Museum of Art and others, planning documents, checklists, agreements, and a few photographs. Materials for the exhibition catalog include draft essays by several art historians, photographs of exhibited works, artist bios, and catalog proposals. Researchers should note that this exhibition coincides with Donaldson's guest editorship of a TransAfrican themed issue of the International Review of African American Art. Documentation about this publication (in subseries 10.5), may overlap with the documentation for the TransAfrican Art Invitational Exhibition catalog, which was never published.
The bulk of this series has been digitized.
6.2: Other Exhibitions , circa 1966-2000
Records of group and solo exhibitions of Donaldson's artwork primarily date from 1980 to 2000 with a few documents from the late 1960s. Documentation found within the exhibition files may include correspondence, agreements, price lists, publications, press clippings, and photographs.
The bulk of this series has been digitized.
Series 7:
Professional Files
, 1960s-2005
5.2 Linear feetBoxes 6-11, OV 14
This series is arranged as 5 subseries.
- 7.1: AfriCOBRA, 1962-1999 (0.9 linear feet; Boxes 6-7)
- 7.2: CONFABA, circa 1960s-1970s (0.3 linear feet; Box 7)
- 7.3: FESTAC, circa 1963-1981 (3.4 linear feet; Boxes 7-10, OV 14)
- 7.4: Organization of Black American Culture, circa 1967-1987, 1997 (0.2 linear feet; Box 10)
- 7.5: Other Committees and Conferences, circa 1973-2005 (0.4 linear feet; Box 11)
7.1:
AfriCOBRA
, 1962-1999
0.9 Linear feetBoxes 6-7
Records of the African Commune of Bad Relevant Artists (AfriCOBRA) include documentation on the group's history, exhibitions, scattered meeting and financial records, photographs of the artists' work, and member files. General records include founding documents such as the group's articles of incorporation. Photographs include images of Donaldson and other members of the group, AfriCOBRA events, and the organization's emblem.
Member files include biographical information sheets, press clippings, photographs of the artists and artworks, and correspondence between the artist and Donaldson. One sound recording contains a conversation with member Frank Smith.
Slides are primarily of artwork, but also include some images of artists.
The bulk of this series has been digitized.
7.2:
CONFABA
, circa 1960s-1970s
0.3 Linear feetBox 7
CONFABA (Conference on the Functional Aspects of Black Art) was a conference held at Northwestern University in 1970. As an organizer of this event, Donaldson's records include correspondence, and general records, as well as post-conference feedback. General records include draft programs, lists of participants, press releases, and copies of presentations. Of note are sketches created during the event by several participants, including Margaret Burroughs, Eugenia V. Dunn, Tom Feelings,and Leatrice Y. Tucker.
Also found are photographs of the event and participants. Photographs by Box/Thomas Burroughs include photos of Ben Bey, Charlie Burroughs, Paul Keene, Omar Lama, Hughie Lee Smith, and Edsel Reid.
The bulk of this series has been digitized.
7.3:
FESTAC
, circa 1963-1981
3.4 Linear feetBoxes 7-10, OV 14
FESTAC, also known as the Second World Black and African Festival of Arts and Culture, was a major international festival held in Lagos, Nigeria, from January 15 to February 12, 1977. Donaldson was an event organizer and chairman of the United States Zonal Committee and his extensive records include planning documents, correspondence, reports, records of eleven planning meetings, including minutes and notes and a sound recording related to the first meeting, copies of all event colloquiums, lists of participants, entry forms, and press materials. Also found are drafts of his "documemoir" detailing the event. Correspondence includes that between board members, and with the Director of International Coordination, Professor Chike Onwauchi. Also found are records documenting various grants and other funding sources for FESTAC.
Photographs document festival performers in all of the arts represented at FESTAC, including press photos of performers, as well as some photographs taken at festival events and meetings. Photographs by Hoyt Fuller include photos of Ossie Davis, Alioune Diop, Chief Anthony Enahoro, Katherine Dunham, Barbara Ann Teer, and Milton Martin.
The bulk of this series has been digitized.
7.4:
Organization of Black American Culture
, circa 1967-1987, 1997
0.2 Linear feetBox 10
The Organization of Black American Culture (OBAC) records compiled by Donaldson include administrative documentation on the formation of the group and the planning for its famous public artwork The Wall of Respect. Included are planning documents, press materials, and two photographs, including one of The Wall of Respect.
The bulk of this series has been digitized.
| Description | Container | |
|---|---|---|
| General Records, circa 1967-1970s |
10 44 |
|
| General Records, circa 1967-1970s |
10 45 |
|
| General Records, 1967-1979 |
10 46 |
|
| Printed Material, 1967-1987 |
10 47 |
|
| Printed Material , 1997 |
10 48 |
|
| Photographs, circa 1967 |
10 49 |
7.5:
Other Committees and Conferences
, circa 1973-2005
0.4 Linear feetBox 11
Records of Donaldson's participation in other professional committees and conferences include planning documents, correspondence, photographs, draft writings for the events, and event publications. Researchers should note that files regarding his role as guest editor for an issue of the International Review of African American Art coincided with his curatorship of the TransAfrican Art Invitational Exhibition in 1997 (Series 6.1) and documentation on these activities may be found in both sets of records.
The bulk of this series has been digitized.
Series 8:
Research Files
, 1930-2001
0.4 Linear feetBox 11
Research files were compiled by Donaldson for his dissertation research, published essays, and course lectures. Files may include photocopied articles, handwritten notes, bibliographies, and other lists. Also of note are research files on the Harmon Foundation which includes original correspondence from the 1940s-1950s between the Harmon Foundation and the Department of Art at Howard University.
In the Works Progress Administration file is a photograph labeled "Photo at 306-C" of a group of artists including Charles Alston, Ad Bates, Fred Coleman, Selma Day, Edgar Evans, Cecil Gaylord, Silas Glen, Vertis Hayes, Ronald Joseph, Gwen Knight, Elba Lightfoot, Francisco Lord, O. Richard Reid, Gette Seabrook, and James Yaeargens. The group is pictured outside the Harlem Renaissance hub on West 41st Street where Alston taught art classes.
This series has been digitized in its entirety.
Series 9:
Teaching Files
, 1961-2002
0.6 Linear feetBoxes 11-12
Teaching files include Donaldson's lecture notebooks, and a few course documents from his professorship at Howard University. Also found are other employment records, correspondence, and committee files documenting his role as chairman of the Art Department and later dean of the College of Fine Arts at Howard University. An interview with J. Weldon Norris from the Howard University music department is recorded on two microcassettes. One file documents Donaldson's earlier teaching appointment at John Marshall High School in Chicago and includes photographs of Donaldson appearing in a production of Purlie Victorious at the school.
The bulk of this series has been digitized.
| Description | Container | |
|---|---|---|
| CICS Africana Studies Proposal Preparation Committee, 2002 |
11 37 |
|
| Course Documents, African American Art, circa 1995 |
11 38 |
|
| Employment Agreements, 1965-1983 |
11 39 |
|
| Howard University, Correspondence Regarding Appointments, 1970-1985 |
11 40 |
|
| Howard University, Dean Appointment, 1991-1992 |
11 41 |
|
| Howard University, Department of Music, 1991-1996 |
11 42 |
|
| Howard University, Department of Music, 1994-1996 |
11 43 |
|
|
Howard University, Department of Music, Interview with J. Weldon Norris and Chairmanship Review, 1995
2 sound cassettes (microcassette) |
11 44 |
|
| Howard University, Honorary Degree Nominees, 1991-1992 |
11 45 |
|
| John Marshall High School, circa 1961-1965 |
12 1 |
|
| John Marshall High School, 1961-1967 |
12 2 |
|
| Lecture Notebook, American Art, 1968-circa 1984 |
12 3 |
|
| Lecture Notebook, Art Appreciation, circa 1970s |
12 4 |
|
| Lecture Notebook, circa 1979 |
12 5 |
|
| Lecture Notebook, circa 1980s |
12 6 |
|
| Lecture Notebook, circa 1991 |
12 7 |
Series 10:
Personal Business Records
, 1966-2001
0.2 Linear feetBox 12
Personal business records include records of a scholarship from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, an appraisal ledger and other documentation regarding Donaldson's art collection, expenses, legal agreements, and scattered records on the sale and consignment of his paintings. Also found are a few documents regarding Donaldson's small business, Art and Culture Enterprises, and agreements to design album covers for Jazz American Marketing.
The bulk of this series has been digitized. Routine expense records, such as miscellaneous receipts, have not been digitized.
Series 11:
Printed Material
, 1918-2003
0.5 Linear feetBox 12
Printed material includes programs, brochures, announcements, and catalogs for exhibitions and other events that Donaldson participated in during his career, including an invitation from the White House to attend an April 1980 National Conference of Artists event to honor African American artists. Also included are a few catalogs and announcements for exhibitions of works by other artists. News clippings and articles about Donaldson include some from New Art Examiner documenting his professional activities. Also found are news clippings compiled by Donaldson on topics of interest to him, and a folder of some of Donaldson's school alumni publications.
The bulk of this series has been digitized.
Series 12:
Photographs and Personal Sound Recordings
, circa 1970s-circa 2000
0.4 Linear feetBox 13
Photographs depict Donaldson with his wife Arnicia, a visit to Uganda in 1974, an Arizona State University symposium, and late-career professional portraits. Photographs taken in Uganda include photos of Donaldson's group with Idi Amin and some related memorabilia such as a menu inscribed with a message from Amin to Donaldson. Photographs of others include a copy of a photograph taken of a Sunday School class in Arkansas, possibly including Donaldson. Other individuals pictured include Linda Council, and musicologist Eileen Southern.
Also found are a few photographs of family members, and friends, as well as photographs and slides of Donaldson's artwork and the artwork of others.
Three personal sound recordings are found at the end of the series: a recording of a household with a baby girl, probably Jameela Donaldson, in the background with her caregiver; a recording of Miles Davis's 1986 release Tutu; and a 1987 recording that appears to have been made from radio of an interview with Romare Bearden, possibly one conducted by Charlayne Hunter-Gault in 1986, followed by news items.
This bulk of this series has been digitized.
| Description | Container | |
|---|---|---|
| Of Jeff Donaldson, 2003, 1960-1990s |
13 1 |
|
| Of Jeff Donaldson, Portraits, 1960-2003 |
13 2 |
|
| Of Jeff and Arnicia Donaldson, circa 1971-circa 1974, circa 1971 |
13 3 |
|
| Of Family, circa 1990s |
13 4 |
|
| Of Others , circa 1970s-1990s |
13 5 |
|
| Of Arizona State Symposium, 1985 |
13 6 |
|
| Of Visit to Uganda, circa 1974 |
13 7 |
|
| Of Visit to Uganda, circa 1974 |
13 8 |
|
| Of Visit to Uganda, With Idi Amin, circa 1974 |
13 9 |
|
| Of Artwork by Jeff Donaldson, Slides, 1956-1962 |
13 10 |
|
| Of Artwork by Jeff Donaldson, Slides, 1963-1967 |
13 11 |
|
| Of Artwork by Jeff Donaldson, Slides, 1967-1986 |
13 12 |
|
| Of Artwork by Jeff Donaldson, Slides, 1987-2002 |
13 13 |
|
| Of Artwork by Jeff Donaldson, Slides, circa 1960s-circa 2000 |
13 14 |
|
| Of Artwork by Others, circa 1970s-circa 1990s |
13 15 |
|
|
Personal Sound Recording, 1974
2 sound cassettes 1 cassette appears to be a duplicate |
13 16 |
|
|
Personal Sound Recording, circa 1986
1 sound cassette |
13 16 |
|
|
Personal Sound Recording, 1987 May 17
1 sound cassettes (microcassette) |
13 16 |
