This page showcases our digitial collections that document the Black experience in Houston, Texas, and the greater United States. The first two sections focus on our partnership with the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL) and highlight their digital and physical collections. The last two sections cover our other digital collections related to Black life, mainly in Houston and its surrounds, as well as our physical archival and book collections.

Hip Hop

This contains oral histories and an event related to Hip Hop in Houston and the greater United States.

Oral Histories

Oral histories conducted by the Center for Engaged Research and Collaborative Learning (CERCL).

Community Artists' Collective records

This collection consists of materials related to the art shows and outreach conducted by the Community Artists' Collective.

Ensemble Theatre records

This collection consists of the board activities of Ensemble Theatre.

Judge Clarease Yates papers

This collection consists of photographs, documents, and more related to the life and career of Judge Yates.

Rev. William A. Lawson papers

This collection consists of sermons, transcripts, photographs, anniversary booklets, and weekly bulletins.

To see these physical collections and magazines in-person, you must contact us for an appointment.

CERCL Archival Collections

Will "Def Jam Blaster" Ross collection of hip-hop magazines

Hip Hop Archival Collections

Big Walter "The Thunderbird" Price collection

The Big Walter "The Thunderbird" Price collection contains an interview and an oral history.

Capitalism and Convict Leasing in the American South: a Symposium records

This collection consists of recordings and a document from the event: “Capitalism and Convict Leasing in the American South: a Symposium.”

Creosote Contamination Archive

A collection of documents related to the creosote contamination in Houston's Fifth Ward and Kashmere Gardens.

James Fraher photograph collection

This collection consists of photography by James Fraher, which documents members of the Houston blues and the Texas zydeco community. 

Lee Brown papers

This collection includes photographs, correspondence, and speeches that cover Lee Brown's career.

Pleasantville neighborhood history book and oral histories

This collection consists of oral histories from members of the Pleasantville community and a book chronicling the neighborhood’s history.

The Red Book of Houston collection

This collection consists of the book and Houston-specific images from the book.

Reginald Moore Sugar Land Convict Leasing System research collection

This collection includes photographs, documents, audio, and video that relate to the work of Reginald Moore.

To see these physical collections and books in-person, you must contact us for an appointment.

Black History and Culture Archival Collections

Texas Black History and Culture book collection