African American Women Portraits

Experience Black life through digitized and curated unpublished papers, documents, letters, and business records chronicling all aspects of life in Houston and Texas. Manuscript and Records collections shines light on families, businesses, churches and organizations from the 1800s to the present. This is not an exhaustive list of the images held within the manuscript and photograph archives of the African American History Research Center.

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Published
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Finding Aids
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Funeral Programs
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Rev. William Lawson Letters
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Texas Jazz Archive
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Houston Forward Times
Group of Domestic Servants Baltrip Family-MSS 0055
Maude Ester Baltrip was a longtime volunteer in the Houston Independent School District and the local community.
Barbara Jordan Barbara Jordan Family - MSS 0080
The Barbara Jordan Family Collection highlights the life and legacy of Jordan’s personal life and political career.
two women next to car Benjamin Covington - MSS 0170
Benjamin Covington was a prominent black physician in Houston from 1903-1961.
Ben DeSoto Ben T. Desoto - MSS 0118
Ben Tecumseh DeSoto is a local photographer and photojournalist whose collection focuses on Houston's historic Black communities.
two musicians Black Music in Houston - MSS 0259
A collection of newspapers, programs, and images about black music activities in Houston.
Christia Adair and group portrait Chrisita Adair - MSS 109
Chrisita Adair was a Houston civil rights activist and suffragist.
people receiving an award on stage C.F. Richardson, Sr. - MSS 1457
C.F. Richardson was an editor, publisher and the owner of Houston Informer and Houston Defender.
Elbert D. Howze Elbert D. Howze - MSS 0171
Elbert D. Howze was a local African American photographer whose collection focuses on Houston's Fourth Ward.
Elbert Terry Elbert Terry Family - MSS 0140
The collection is comprised of black and white photographs of the Terry family, along with relatives and friends and community areas in Sunnyside.
Ernestine Mitchell and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Ernestine Mitchell - MSS 0052
Ernestine Mitchell was a teacher and principal in the Houston Independent School District during the mid to late twentieth century.
Franklin Beauty School Students Franklin Beauty School - RG D 0044
The Franklin School of Beauty was created by Nobia Franklin as an education training center for African American women in hair care.
Harrison Family Harrison Family - MSS 0130
This collection documents the Harrison Family of Houston, Texas from 1880 to 1980, and features Edwin Harrison, a civic and community leader.
Houston College Sports Team Hellen G. Perry - MSS 0276
Helen G. Perry collection contains photographs of the Perry family active in civic activities, sports and dancing.
city plan for Independence Heights Independence Heights - RG 0004
Incorporated in 1915, Independence Heights, was the first all-black city in Texas.
two women sit for portrait Jack Yates Collection - MSS 0281
Jack Yates was a community leader and Preacher at Antioch Baptist Church in Houston’s Fourth Ward.
Homer Collins, Arma Collins, Reverend Brent, and Two African American Men Jeff Collins Family - MSS 0131
This collection is composed of photographs of African-Americans dating from 1885 to 1979, which feature members of the Collins, Gay, Ligons, Johnson, and Williams families
John Chase John Chase - MSS 0113
John Saunders Chase was the first African American licensed to practice architecture in Texas and the only Black architect in the state for nearly a decade.
Johnnie Hart Brooks speaking for Good Morning Houston Johnnie Hart Brooks - MSS 0027
Johnnie Hart Brooks was a longtime educator and the last principal of Gregory Elementary School in Houston.
Judson Robinson Sr. Family Judson Robinson Sr. Family - MSS 0143
The Judson Robinson Sr. Family Collection documents Houston in the 1950's and into the 1970's.
Moses Leroy, Erma Leroy, and Judson Wilbur Robinson, Jr. Moses Leroy - MSS 0127
The Moses Leroy Collection contains images of local and national politics and the civil rights movement
Pleasant Grove Pleasant Grove Missionary Baptist Church Tapscott Family Collection - RG 0058
This collection evidences the activities of black churches. Researchers interested in black church history and community involvement will find this collection valuable.
Prairie View A&M Economics Class Prairie View A&M - RG 0056
Prairie View A&M is an historically black college and university founding in 1876
Sandra Wilson at an event Sandra Wilson - MSS 0050
Sandra Ann Wilson is a teacher, longtime Fourth Ward, Houston resident and a former Gregory Elementary School student.
portrait of African American woman Slave Narratives - MSS 0154
The Slave Narratives collection contains photographs of former slaves who were interviewed by the Works Progressive Administration (WPA) during the 1930s.
Sneed Family Sneed Family Collection - MSS 0149
This collection features black women as professional educators and club women who were active in LINKS, the Smart Set Club, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, and the Married Ladies Social, Art, and Charity Club.
TX Assn. Women's Club Texas Association of Women's Clubs, Houston - RG 0067
The Texas Association of Women’s Clubs, Houston Branch collection contains the history of the City Federation of Women's Clubs from 1957-1985
Thompson Family Thompson Family - MSS 0132
The Thompson Family collection consists of 118 photographs offering a visual portrait of several generations of a family of black Houstonians from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth century.
women receiving honors on stage Willie Lee Gay - MSS 1041
Willie Lee Gay a historian and educator, her collection documents her advocacy for documenting and preserving the history of African American communities in Houston and Texas during the twentieth century