The honorable Delta Xi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. was the first Black Greek-letter organization to be established at The University of Texas at Austin. Sworn in on May 16, 1959, at high noon in the Queen Anne Room, this particular group of women is dripping in legacy, poignant programs, community service, and rich history. As an archivist in training, with the unique opportunity to not only archive an oral history but curate it from scratch, I see it as my duty to extract the essence and diversity of these highly valuable experiences among the Delta Xi women. This blog series will contain three parts, one published each month during the summer of 2021. Continue reading “Curating an Oral History of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority at The University of Texas || Part I”
New Year, New Finding Aids
Fall of 2019 was busy for the BDA! With the contributions of UT Libraries staff, the AKA Scholars Black Diaspora Archive Intern, and Archival Enterprise I students from the UT iSchool, three collections were processed:
The John L. Warfield Center Celebrates 50 Years
During the 2019-2020 academic year, Black Studies will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the John L. Warfield Center for African and African American Studies. As a part of the celebration, items from the John L. Warfield Papers can be seen here.
Tex Libris: A Firsthand Experience in the Black Diaspora Archive
Natalie Hill is one of the inaugural members of the Consuelo Artaza and Dr. Carlos Castañeda Diversity Alliance Residency Program. She is currently in her second semester of the residency.
Continue reading “Tex Libris: A Firsthand Experience in the Black Diaspora Archive”
Collection Spotlight: The Cat
In 2017, the BDA began a strategic initiative to increase the Benson’s acquisition of rare books featuring Black Diaspora subjects. In its first year, this project brought in eight new titles, including three books from Jamaican graphic novelist Andrew Francis’ series, The Cat.
Highlights from the Edmund W. Gordon Archive and Exhibition Opening
On Friday, September 14, 2018, the BDA celebrated the archive and exhibition opening of the Edmund W. Gordon Papers. Continue reading “Highlights from the Edmund W. Gordon Archive and Exhibition Opening”
Life, Leadership, and Learning: From the Archive of Edmund W. Gordon
The Black Diaspora Archive’s foundational collection, the Edmund Gordon Papers, 1933-2010, is highlighted in the exhibition Life, Leadership, and Learning: From the Archive of Edmund W. Gordon. The exhibition is now on view in the second floor gallery at the Benson Latin American Collection.