Available Works or Citations from Akron University Libraries: Archives and Special Collections
The Dr. Shirla R. McClain Collection includes the writings and research materials of Dr. McClain, a University of Akron alumna who was a public-school educator and a Kent State University professor of education. McClain published over 45 academic papers during her career but is still best known for her doctoral dissertation The Contributions of Blacks in Akron, 1825-1975, which was…
Helen E. Arnold (1924-2001) was a City of Akron employee who fought for education reform and equal rights for women and African Americans in the Akron/Summit County area. She was the first African-American woman to serve on the Akron Board of Education and served in various capacities on numerous boards and organizations, including President of the Akron Branch of the…
Herbert A. Davidson (1900-1974) was an African-American physician in Barberton, Ohio. Active in numerous community organizations, he worked for justice and equality for all people throughout his lifetime. His papers consist of scrapbooks, meeting minutes, correspondence, financial records, and reports of numerous businesses and organizations he founded or directed including the American Welfare Workers Club, the Carver Thrift Club, and…
Horace and Evelyn Stewart were Akron, Ohio photographers and owners of Stewart’s Photo Studio located on North Howard Street. The collection consists of thousands of negatives and photographic prints taken by the Stewarts over their career. The photographs mostly consist of studio shots and portraits of local African Americans.
The Opie Evans Papers contain documents, photographs, artifacts, and motion picture and sound recordings relating to Evans’ many professional pursuits and activities, including his long careers in photography and broadcasting, his stint as a community newspaper publisher, his work with the Mayor of Akron to promote civic unity, his side businesses operating an ice cream truck and renting audiovisual equipment,…