What’s on view

The Mayme A. Clayton Library & MuseumThe Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

What’s on viewWhat’s Inside

The critically-acclaimed traveling exhibit, “Get on Board: Stories of the Los Angeles to Houston Freedom Ride” makes a stop at the Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum August 9th, 2011.

Media giants from Oprah Winfrey to PBS have celebrated the achievements of the Freedom Riders and MCLM continues to honor these pioneers with a little-known story of huge signifcance.

In August of 1961, 11 students, men and women, black and white, boarded a bus in Los Angeles, bound for a historic journey that would change their lives forever.

Read more about the courageous ride that sparked this powerful exhibition on Page 10!

A Letter from the ExecutiveDirector

Explore rich treasures in our Collection from history-makers, Phillis Wheatleyand Mervyn M. Dymally!

Hear how one volunteerexperienced an “Aha” moment at MCLM.

Discover the treasuresin your own collection andhow to preserve them forgenerations to come.

Join MCLM for a series ofentertaining culturalevents!

Summer 2011The Orator

What’s New at MCLM

T H E N E W S L E T T E R O F T H E M AY M E A . C L AY T O N L I B R A R Y & M U S E U M

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What to expect in this issue is a lot of good things, a few bad things and a lot of in between.

Join the journey as we take you from the richest to the poorest and the mountain tops adn back. We are the champioins, we are the cham-pions my friend.

There is a great deal happening at MCLM! As the new Executive Director, I would like to thank our many friends and supporters for helping to keep the vision and memory of our founder, Dr. Mayme A. Clayton

and Avery Clayton, MCLM’s Founding Executive Director fl ourishing. Many thanks to MCLM’s faithful donors and volunteers for their unwavering and continued fi nancial support and service. I am very enthusiastic about MCLM’s future. Phase 1 of the renovation of our fa-cility will begin this fall with the development of a state of the art collections storage area to protect our collections. We will present a full compliment of engaging programming celebrating Black Music Month in June and will commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the 1961 Freedom Rides with the Los Ange-les debut of the exhibit, Get On Board: Sto-ries of the Los Angeles to Houston Freedom Rides in August. There is so much to share. However, you will discover it all within these pages of our redesigned newsletter, The Orator. This in-augural issue of The Orator was designed and developed by MCLM volunteers, Kim Martin and Shawnee’ Gibbs. These phe-nomenal ladies exemplify the incredible vol-unteers we have at MCLM. Our volunteers are the best!

--Larry G. Earl, Jr.

From The

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

LETTER

About MCLM

Summer 2011The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

The Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum (MCLM) is a unique cultural institution locat-ed in Culver City, California. MCLM is home to the Mayme Agnew Clayton Collection of African American History and Culture. The collection contains over two million rare books, fi lms, documents, photographs, and works of art related to the history and culture of African Americans in the United States, with a special focus on Southern California and the American West.

The collection is one of the nation’s most important collections chronicling the history and culture of Americans of African descent.” The Mayme Agnew Clayton Collection of African American History and Culture forms the core of MCLM’s collections which are organized into fi ve categories: the Manuscripts and Archives Collection, the Rare Books Collection, the Film and Recorded Sound Archives, the Photographs and Prints Collection, and the Art and Artifacts Collection.

Mayme A. Clayton, Ph.D. (1923-2006) founded MCLM in 1975 as the Western States Black ResearchCenter (WSBRC). Dr. Clayton, a university librarian, collector, and historian, believed that preserving and sharing the scattered and often neglected history of Americans of African descent was vitally important for current and future generations. Working independently for over 40 years, Dr. Clayton meticulously amassed a collection characterized as “one of the fi nest collections of African Americanliterature, manuscripts, fi lm and ephemera in private hands.”

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Summer 2011The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

Treasures in the MCLM Collection

The Mervyn M. Dymally Collection contains a variety of items documenting the distinguished public service career of former California Assemblyman, State Senator, Lt. Governor and U. S. Congressman.

Included are numerous photographs, newspa-per and magazine clippings, interviews, letters, awards, certifi cates, and documents tracing his political career. Also included are a number of art works and memorabilia presented to him during his time in offi ce.

Dymally was born in Trinidad, British West Indies and was the fi rst African-American to serve in the California State Senate, the only African-American Lieutenant Governor of California, to date, and the fi rst foreign-born African-American to be elected to the U. S. Congress. Notable among the photographs are those with civil rights leaders and heads of state, including Martin Luther King, Cesar Chavez, Nelson Mandela, Fidel Castro, Anwar Sadat, and Corazon Aquino, in addition to candids with national and state political leaders, spanning his more than thirty years of service.

--Herb Cobbs

One of the most celebrated items in the MCLM collection is a rare book, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral, published in 1773 by Phillis Wheatley. The signifi cance of this book is that at the time of its publishing, Wheatley was a slave living in Boston, and her book is the earliest published book by an American of African descent.

Phillis Wheatley was born in Africa and was only about eight years old when she was kidnapped and brought in a slave ship to Boston. She was purchased by John Wheatley, a prosperous tailor, and she became a personal servant to Wheatley’s wife. Shortly after arriving at the Wheatley residence, young Phillis dem-

onstrated an extraordinary gift for languages. She became a sensation among the Boston intellectuals with her ability to translate classical Greek and Roman texts and her remark-able appreciation of English poetry.

In 1773 when she was twenty years old Wheatley travelled to England. It was during this trip that a collection of her poems was published in London. Her book has been reprinted many times and is still widely read

today. However, copies of the fi rst edition are rare and are eagerly sought after by book collectors and by curators of rare book libraries. The copy in the Mayme Clayton collection is even more remarkable because it was signed by Phillis Wheat-ley. It is one of a few known signed copies to exist.

Book experts make a distinc-tion between a “signed copy” and an “inscribed copy”. A book is called a “signed copy” if the author has autographed the book with his or her name. The term “inscribed copy” refers to a book in which the author has written a message to a particu-lar person. Often a sentiment of some kind accompanies the author’s signature.

-- Mary Murphy Hammid, MLIS

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Volunteer Corner

As a volunteer Librarian, I have seen quite a few special items come through the processing room for cataloging, so I am always on the lookout for extraordinary reading materials that are being added to the collection. Initially, I did not think anything of the nine by fi ve inch, maroon pamphlet with the words COTTON TRADE printed in gold on the cover. I mean, it was less than half a centimeter thick so it could not be that important, right? WRONG! I opened the pamphlet, read the fi rst few lines and thought “WOW!!” I did not realize that I had spoken aloud until Cara said “Uh oh...it must be a good one.” I responded, “It sure is! Cara, have you seen this? It is a statistical ledger regarding the cotton trade! It breaks down the pricing for the international shipping trade of the cotton, but what actually caught my atten-tion was the fact that it is technically a letter from the Secretary of State dated June 10, 1856!” That was my AHA moment. I had no idea that government documents were printed and bound so simply back then.

Alison Leonard is a graduate student at San Jose State University and will receive a Master of Library Science (MLIS) Degree this May. Last November, 2010 Alison visited MCLM with her fellow MLIS students and began volunteering at MCLM in January, 2011. “I was excited helping process Dr. Clayton’s collection. I really admired that she had the foresight to collect African American history,” said Alison.

“I cannot think of a more exciting opportunity than helping to preserve the history and culture of African Americans for future generations. I volunteer with MCLM to be a part of the current movement to capture and preserve the stories and legacies that are so important to our shared Ameri-can history. I am having a great time combining my education in American history with my MLIS. I really enjoy helping to process African American collections and make them available to researchers at MCLM.”

Raeshawn McGuffi e

Alison Leonard

Summer 2011The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

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The Mayme ClaytonLibrary & Museum

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Share, learn and make a difference! Get involved in the development of the Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum. Become a Volunteer! We are seeking bright and enthusiastic volunteers of all ages and backgrounds who are interested in exploring African-American history and culture and contributing to the growth of MCLM. Knowledge of library or museum work is not required—we will train you! MCLM’s volunteers are students, library professionals, retirees, history buffs, researchers, artists, fi lmmakers and community members looking to make a differ-ence. Volunteer opportunities are available in administration, education, programming, cataloguing and research. To become a volunteer, contact Cara Adams at (310) 202-1708 or visit the Volunteer section of our website: www.claytonmuseum.org.

Summer 2011TheThe Mayme ClaytonLibrary & Museum

Mayme ClaytonLibrary & Museum

Mayme ClaytonTheLibrary & MuseumTheLibrary & Museum

Get Involved!The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

The Young Docent Volunteer ProgramThe Young Docent Volunteer Program is for High School students (ages 15-17) towork in areas throughout The Mayme A. Clayton Library and Museum supporting staff on a variety of projects. High School Docent Volunteers welcome visitors to the mu-seum, and assist staff with public programs. Volunteers must complete an application, attend an orientation, and be available to volunteer 1 day per week for a minimum of 3 months. Hours of service will vary according to projects.

For more information on the Young Docent program, contact Cara Adams, Archivist at (310) 202-1647 or email caramarieadams@claytonmuseum.org

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Summer 2011The Mayme Clayton A. Library & Museum

Donating To MCLMThere are several ways to donate to MCLM, from general contributions and directed sponsor-ships to planned giving, in-kind donations, and donations to the collections. Donations support our educational programs, exhibitions, special events, publications, and research and outreach initiatives. Each gift has the power to inspire imaginations and enrich lives. MCLM gladly accepts fi nancial donations year-round. Donations can be made by cash, check or credit card. Contributions to the Annual Fund provide an important foundation for the learning and discovery that takes place at MCLM. Your gift, in any amount, allows MCLM to direct resources to the areas most in need within the organization. Please support MCLM by making a $100 contribution today. Make a non-cash donation to MCLM. In-kind goods and services support the museum’s mis-sion and reduce costs. In-kind gifts include donations of equipment, programming software, offi ce supplies, professional expertise, furnishings, and other needed materials.

MCLM is a nonprofi t 501(c)(3) organization. Contributions to MCLM are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Donate to the collection and join the distinguished roster of MCLM’s collections benefactors. Your donation will ensure your gift will be cherished, preserved, and enjoyed by the public for generations to come. We are a repository for books, photographs, fi lms, art and artifacts that pertain to African Americans. An inventory itemization list is necessary. We will schedule an appointment to review your donation. Our staff will be happy to assist you, upon request. All donations must be approved by the Board of Directors.

Help advance MCLM’s mission. Donate today by visiting our website at www.claytonmuseum.org. Contributions to MCLM are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Please contact Leah Kerr, Director of Collections at (323) 202-1647 if you have items that you would like to donate to our collection.

Donating To The Collection

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The Mayme ClaytonLibrary & Museum

If you have old books, letters or family pictures that are starting to crumble or fade, there are steps you can take to prevent further damage. The following are some simple preservation tips that you can implement at home:

• Keep your old books, letters and photos away from moisture and sunlight.

• Insert your paper collectibles in archival-safe plastic sleeves or acid-free albums, then store them in an acid-free box. This will help to prevent insects from gnawing holes in your mementos.

• Store your collectibles in a room that has minimal temperature fl uctuations. 50-65 degrees with low humidity is ideal. Unstable atmospheres in areas that are subject to uncontrolled temperature or humidity changes, such as attics, garages, or basements, can cause rapid deterio-ration.

• For family records and insurance purposes, photograph your collectibles and store the pictures in a separate place. -- Kim Martin

Summer 2011TheThe Mayme ClaytonLibrary & Museum

Mayme ClaytonLibrary & Museum

Mayme ClaytonTheLibrary & MuseumTheLibrary & MuseumThe Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

Quick Tips: Preserving Old Books & Photos

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Summer 2011The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

$1,000 – $10,000Janice AndersonCalifornia Africa American Genealogical SocietyCalifornia Community FoundationDr. Francine GrayElla Fitzgerald Charitable FoundationEllen BromsJeanne Mallet James E. SilcottWyman Youth Trust

Don

ors 2010 - 2011

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John and Cara AdamsUmar BaySharon BellClora BryantOscar Joel Bryant FoundationBunnin ChevroletCarolyn ConnorAdrienne CrewBarbara CruseNiema CurleyEvelyn DavisLaurence DeutschDr. Mervyn M. DymalleyIda Hagan

Debbie HansenFreddie HarrisMichael HechtHouse of the Rising SonsJack and Jill Foundation of America (Inglewood)Clora JohnsonLeah KerrJohnnie Anthony-LloydRenita LordenLas Angelistas Del PuebloEsha MasonKaren MasonKathleen McCannGreg and Joyce Millikan

Olla MitchellDonna NormingtonRene NourseMark RhombergJames Roberts IIIJune SmallB.J. SmithMarsha SmithMatthew SolariA. J. WatsonVictor WebbSpencer WilliamsRamona Wright

$499 – $1

$999 – $500Larry and Monique Earl

Genetha HayesThe Links Inc., (Orange County)

The Honorable Bernard ParksAlan and Rose-Marie Richmond

Shiraz BhatenaLloyd ClaytonJames RobertsBarbara RosenmanSunAmericaJerry and Sophia WashamCheryl Wilkinson

Roberta AllenEdward and Helen BrogensLloyd ClaytonJoi DickersonDr. Mervyn M. DymalleyRobert FarrellElla Fitzgerald Charitable FoundationJoel Forman

Shawnee GibbsSharon GrainesIda HagenSue HodsonAda HollieAlitash KebedeTrisha LendoCarolyn PryorRex Ragan

William and Ann SmithJoseph Stevenson Kathleen A. StrinzWarner R. TrayhamDr. Diane WatsonMarilyn WhiteJackie Zak

Collection DonationsIn-Kind Donations

In this issue: What to expect in this issue is a lot of good things, a few bad things and a lot of in between.

Join the journey as we take you from the richest to the poorest and the mountain tops adn back. We are the champioins, we are the cham-pions my friend.

1

From The

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

D

What to expect in this issue is a lot of good things, a few bad things and a lot of in between.

Join the journey as we take you from the richest to the poorest and the mountain tops adn back. We are the champioins, we are the cham-pions my friend.

1

Summer 2011

In this issue: What to expect in this issue is a lot of good things, a few bad things and a lot of in between.

Join the journey as we take you from the richest to the poorest and the mountain tops adn back. We are the champioins, we are the cham-pions my friend.

1

Past Events at MCLM

C. D.

The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

From fi lm screenings, to traveling exhibitions, and cultural enrichment programs for youth, there’s always something to see and do at the Mayme Clayton Library & Museum. Here are snapshots from just a few of our events:

A. B.

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A.

B.

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Living History Day with students from St. JohnThe Baptist Catholic School.

Face painting at thePan African Children’sFilm Festival.

Get on Board Exhibitopening reception at theCalifornia Museum inSacramento, CA.

MCLM Volunteers at the Culver City MLKDay Celebration.

Actress, Shelly Boone,presents scenes fromthe play, “Dorothy andOtto,” written by SharonGraine, at the Black Talkies on Parade screening of Carmen Jones.

Teens paint muralsfor Global YouthServices Day.

Summer 2011

Upcoming ExhibitionThe Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

Get on Board: Stories of the Los Angeles to Houston Freedom Ride shares the seldom heard story of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) sponsored Freedom Ride from Los Angeles, Cali-fornia to Houston, Texas. On August 9, 1961, Los Angeles students Charles Berrard, Marjorie Dunson, Robert Farrell, Robert Kaufman, Ellen Kleiman, Pat Kovner, Ronald LaBostrie, Steven McNichols, Beverly Radcliffe, Steven Sanfi eld and Joseph Stevenson boarded a train headed to Houston. The group’s assignment was to aid members of the Houston Progressive Youth Association (PYA) to nonviolently, desegregate Houston’s Union Station Coffee Shop.

The group would then proceed to Jackson, Mississippi to join the scores of other Freedom Riders converging on the city to nonviolently protest racially segregated public travel facilities throughout the American South. Instead, these California Freedom Riders were arrested for unlawful assembly while trying to desegre-gate Houston’s Union Station coffee shop with PYA members and Texas Southern University students Her-bert Hamilton, Willie Handy, Holly Hogrobrooks, John Hutchins, Eddie Jones, Robert E. Jones and Marian Moody. The story of their Freedom Ride, arrest, brutal treatment in jail and subsequent court trial is an important chapter in the unique civil rights history of Texas and the national struggle for racial equality in the United States.

A complete history of the 1961 CORE sponsored Freedom Rides to nonviolently protest racially segregated public travel facilities throughout the American South is explored in Get on Board.The exhibition shares the experiences of the many Californians that joined the Freedom Rides. Get on Board also recounts the ascendance and determination of the student movement. It examines how the Freedom Rides transformed and bolstered the Civil Rights Movement in America with its strategy of “nonviolent direct action protest.” More than 100 compelling photographic images are featured within the exhibition to vividly depict the social, political and moral strivings of the 1961 Freedom Rides. The exhibition utilizes evocative oral histories, music from the Civil Rights Movement, rare historical artifacts and documents to recount this captivating story. A recreated section of the Birmingham, AL bus terminal, a Parchman Farm prison cell and a section of the lunch counter of the Houston Union Station Coffee Shop, help to bring this dynamic history to life.

Over 450 individuals participated in the 1961 Freedom Rides. Get on Board: Stories of the Los Angeles to Houston Freedom Ride commemorates the 50th anniversary of the 1961 Freedom Rides. It celebrates the courage and optimism that inspired these American heroes, both black and white to leave their schools, families and homes to secure the promise of freedom and liberty for all Americans.

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Summer 2011The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

June

18th - THE KILLER DILLA CONCERTCelebrate Black Music Month with a concert of Music from the goldern era of all black cast Hollywood Movies performed by the Jimmy McConnell Big Band.

18th - CAAGS ANNUAL JUNETEENTH PICNICJoin the California African American Genealogical Society for their Annual Juneteenth Picnic.Location: Rawley Park, 13220 Van Ness Ave. Gardena, CA 90249, 11 AM - 5 PM

25th - LEIMERT PARK BOOK FEST Celebrate the Leimert Park Book Fair with MCLM . Location: 4300 Degnan Blvd. LA.

25th - BLACK TALKIES ON PARADE - “Show Boat” Screening of the 1936 Oscar Hammerstein musical starring Irene Dunne & Paul Robeson.

27th - B.A.D. WEST ST. CLAIRE BOURNE 4TH MONDAY DOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENINGB.A.D WEST (Black American Association of Documentary Filmmakers West) monthly fi lm series screening of “Shaft or Sidney Poitier:Black Masculinity in Comic Books.” The fi lm by Jonathan Gayles, Ph.D is a riveting examination of the black masculinity in comic books.

July

30th & 31st - MCLM AT THE CENTRAL AVENUE JAZZ FESTIVALA lively two days of Jazz music in LA’s historic Central Avenue District. Location: Central Avenue between 42nd and 43rd streets.

23rd - B.A.D WEST ST. CLAIRE BOURNE 4TH MONDAY DOCUMENTARY FILM SCREENING

30th - BLACK TALKIES ON PARADE - “The Exile” Screening of the groundbreaking 1931 Oscar Micheaux fi lm, his fi rst feature-length movie, and fi rst African American talkie, starring Paul Robeson.

August

9th - EXHIBIT OPENING Get on Board: Stories of the Los Angeles to Houston Freedom Ride

24th - A CONVERSATION WITH DR. KEITH BLACKA stimulating discussion with the world-renowned neurosurgeon and scientist.

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Upcoming Events

Filming at MCLM

(Matthew McConaughey and John Leguizamo in Lincoln Lawyer, fi lmed at MCLM)

MCLM is renowned for its extensive collection of pre-1954 African American fi lms. However, did you know that MCLM is also an esteemed fi lming location venue? MCLM is featured prominently in this spring’s blockbuster legal thriller “Lincoln Lawyer.” Our historic facility featuring authentic courtrooms, jail, judge’s chambers and spacious offi ces are a sought after fi lming location. We also have a variety of rooms for meetings and special events. To obtain additional infor-mation about our facility rentals please contact Gil Mars, Operations Manager at (310) 202-1647 or: gilmars@claytonmuseum.org.

Projects & Development News

Summer 2011The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum is poised to begin the renovation of its current facility thanks to the generous support and assistance of Culver City, County of Los Angeles and the U.S. Department of Housing Urban Development. Phase one of our multi-phased renovation plan will begin this summer. When completely renovated, MCLM will preserve and protect its collections and provide the necessary galleries, performance venues, research and educational facilities to share the collections with the public.

We are honored to work with the award winning architectural fi rm the Kennard Design Group (KDG) to develop a vibrant state-of-the-art, cultural center in the heart of Culver City.

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In the coming weeks we will launch a redesigned MCLM website for an enhanced online user experience. Selected works from MCLM’s collections will be featured on the new website at:

www.claytonmuseum.org

New Website Launch

OUR MISSION BOARDTo collect, preserve and exhibit the

unique history and cultural heritage of

Americans of African descent,

thereby helping to provide a more

complete view of American history.

Our vision is to serve as a world-class

cultural institution dedicated to

educating audiences about the legacy of

African and African American creativity,

genius, and resilience. To this end, MCLM

seeks to facilitate an ongoing discussion

about the diversity of the American

experience and use its collection as an

instrument of friendship and healing,

bringing people together through an

interconnected cultural heritage.

Larry G. Earl, Jr.Executive Director

Leah M. KerrDirector of Collections

Gil Mars Operations Manager

Cara AdamsArchivist & Volunteer Coordinator

Library Hours:

Tuesday - Saturday

10:30 AM - 4 PM

ADVISORSLloyd ClaytonChair

Michael Leventhal, Esq.Vice Chair

Rose-Marie Richmond, CPASecretary and Treasurer

James C. Roberts III, Esq.

James E. Silcott, AIA

Patricia Smith-Hunt, Ph.D.

VISIONThe Mayme A. Clayton

Museum & Library 4130 Overland Ave

Culver City, CA 90230Tel: (310) 202-1647Fax: (310) 202-1617

www.claytonmuseum.org

STAFF

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INFO

Dexter Blackman, Ph.D. Hansonia Caldwell, Ph.D. Michael Friend Anne Gilliland, Ph.D. Darnell Hunt, Ph.D.Ilene Slavick Jacqueline Stewart, Ph.D.Cheryl Wilkinson

Summer 2011The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

Summer 2011The Mayme A. Clayton Library & Museum

NEWSLETTER DESIGNShawnee’ Gibbs

EDITORS

Larry G. Earl, Jr.Shawnee’ GibbsKim Martin

CONTRIBUTORS

Herb CobbsMary Murphy HammidAlison LeonardRaeshawn McGuffi e

PHOTO CREDITSPage 1: Jack Johnson, MCLM Photo Collection

Page 1: Get on Board, Elizabeth Ford, 1957, Little Rock, Arkansas.

Page 3: Mervyn Dymally, Jesse Jack-son and Fidel Castro from the MCLM Photo Collection.

Pages 4, 5, 9: Volunteer & Event Photos: Cara Adams

Page 6: The Alabama Crooners, 1918MCLM Photo Collection

Page 11: The Black Jewish Community,1968, MCLM Photo Collection

CREDITS

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