About Our Collection

The Black Archives documents both the exceptional and everyday activities of black South Florida life.  The Archives includes records that are both historical (dating back to Miami’s incorporation in 1896) and contemporary in time.  Records and archives are accepted in every format, including, but not exclusively, manuscript, typescript, printed, machine readable, electronic, photographic, microform, artwork and film.

Collection Focus

Of particular interest to The Black Archives are stories and materials regarding black South Florida from 1896 to the present pertaining to:

  • Segregated communities established adjacent to white communities because of restrictive clauses in deeds that prohibited black people from living in certain areas.
  • Separation including education, religion, transportation, culture, the literary, visual, performing and culinary arts, recreation, military, entertainment, housing, employment, business, organizations and accommodations.
  • Individuals and families who arrived after the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Legislation, their experiences living in a desegregated society including education, religion, transportation, culture, the literary, visual and culinary arts, recreation, military, entertainment, housing, employment, business, organizations and accommodations.
  • The cultural heritage of migrants from the southern states and immigrants from West Africa, the West Indies and the Caribbean to the Americas and the New World.
  • Local and regional sites of historic significance.
  • Redevelopment of “Colored Towns,” pioneer Miami-Dade County neighborhoods, including:  Brownsville, Bunche Park, Coconut Grove, Goulds, Liberty City, North County, Overtown, Perrine, Railroad Shop, Richmond Heights, Seminola (a neighborhood in Hialeah), South Miami, Washington Park, West Little River.
  • Incorporation of Miami Gardens, a predominantly black community.
  • Opa-locka, Florida City and other communities with black mayors and predominantly black residents.
  • Material and information from former employers and/or associates of pioneer black residents.