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Black Resource and Enterprise Directories Collection

 Collection — Box: 1 of 1, Object: 1 & 2
Identifier: RH-A-4369

Scope and Contents

The collection is composed of two directories listing the workplace and organizations of African American citizens in Kalamazoo, Michigan in 1969 and 1974.

Inside, there is a list of businesses and organizations owned by African Americans, along with the address of their business or organization, the name of the owner, and their phone number. The Black Resource Directory lists the names of workers and their jobs, and also contains the home address of workers as well as their home phone number. The names are listed alphabetically. This one also contains an introduction page explaining why and how it was made. It is dated 1974.

The Black Enterprise Directory of Businesses and Organizations of Kalamazoo, Michigan has a loose page tucked into the back cover with a list of errors and corrections; on page three there is an error crossed out and corrected in pen. This one is dated 1969-1970.

Dates

  • Creation: 1969, 1974

Biographical / Historical

The Black Enterprise Directory of Businesses and Organizations was first published in 1969, while the Black Resource Directory was first published in 1974. Both directories are the first edition of their publication, however it is not known how many more editions were printed and it is not known how long they both existed.

Extent

2 items

Language of Materials

English

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Donated by the Kalamazoo Public Library

Physical Description

The collection amounts to two paper directories, which are composed of 10 pages each, and both measure 5½” x 8½. The Black Enterprise Directory of Businesses and Organizations is printed on blue paper with black ink, while the Black Resource Directory is printed with black ink on yellow paper for the cover pages and on white paper for its contents.

The directories are both in pretty good condition. They are held together with staples that are still intact. Both are stamped by the Kalamazoo Public Library and have writing on them in pen and marker on the front cover. The cover pages have illustrations printed on them with black ink as well.

Source

Title
Black Resource and Enterprise Directories Collection finding aid
Status
Completed
Author
Stephanie Chapman
Date
2023-04-28
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the Western Michigan University Archives & Regional History Collections Repository

Contact:
Charles C. and Lynn L. Zhang Legacy Collections Center
1650 Oakland Drive
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5307 US
(269) 387-8490