Explore the Powerful Histories of African-Americans

A new and especially interesting database has been added to the Libraries’ collection, entitled “African American Communities,” that brings together a vast collection of unique primary sources. Spanning the last two centuries, and focusing predominantly on Atlanta, Chicago, St. Louis, New York, and North Carolina, this collection presents multiple aspects of the African American community through pamphlets, newspapers and periodicals, correspondence, official records and in-depth oral histories, revealing the prevalent challenges of racism, discrimination and integration, and a unique African American culture and identity.

Sourced from collections at the Atlanta History Center, Washington University in St. Louis and the Weeksville Heritage Center in Brooklyn, New York, these include newspapers and official records, as well as interactive maps and in-depth oral and video interviews with a variety of activists, artists and researchers. Also featured is a rich selection of visual material. 

One of these oral histories is that of Betty Welch, a native Brooklynite and activist. Born in 1937, Welch discusses her experience with integration in New York City schools, and the progress she witnessed working in public education through the decades—from elementary schools, to the City University of New York system—in spite of the many roadblocks experienced by African-Americans on the road to equal treatment.  

Thanks to the Big Ten Academic Alliance, you have access to the entire collection of Adam Matthew Databases including:

• American Indian Histories and Cultures This database sheds light on the personal stories of the colonization of the Americas in the 19^th century, through original documents like journals and manuscripts.
• Everyday Life and Women in America (1800-1920) Pour through thousands of searchable pamphlets, periodicals and more, concerning women’s social, political and economic issues.
• Perdita Manuscripts Over 230 selected readings from the “Perdita Project,” an effort by the University of Warwick and Nottingham Trent University to rediscover British female authors whose work was lost in the transition away from manuscripts.
• American West A dynamic resource that tells the tale of the American westward expansion through rare printed books, printed maps and more. 
• Defining Gender Access five centuries’ worth of literature challenging gender norms from both female and male perspectives.

The vibrant multitude of primary source content found in all of these databases, such as interactive maps, and extensive galleries, makes these research tools an exceptional addition to University Libraries collection, and a vital add to any research paper. Access these databases and more from the Libraries' homepage.