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Explore stories in Northwest history through highlights from MOHAI’s collections. Search by keyword below or browse the entire online collection by entering the asterisk symbol (*). Filter your search by type of materials.

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1183 results for: Black/African American

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Image of Band leaders in Shanghai, China, September 7, 1938
Photograph

Band leaders in Shanghai, China, September 7, 1938

Many American jazz musicians traveled to Shanghai during the city's golden age in the 1930s, when "the Paris of the Orient" was the newest horizon on an increasingly international jazz music scene. For Black musicians, who were often excluded from white musicians' unions in the U. S. and subjected to other forms of segregation, Shanghai provided steady, well-paid work, and…
ID Number:2016.84.2.9.2
Date:1938
Image of Musicians from Earl Whaley's band in China, September 7, 1938
Photograph

Musicians from Earl Whaley's band in China, September 7, 1938

Many American jazz musicians traveled to Shanghai during the city's golden age in the 1930s, when "the Paris of the Orient" was the newest horizon on an increasingly international jazz music scene. For Black musicians, who were often excluded from white musicians' unions in the U. S. and subjected to other forms of segregation, Shanghai provided steady, well-paid work, and…
ID Number:2016.84.2.9.3
Date:1938
Image of Earl Whaley's band on stage in Shanghai, China, December 20, 1934
Photograph

Earl Whaley's band on stage in Shanghai, China, December 20, 1934

Many American jazz musicians traveled to Shanghai during the city's golden age in the 1930s, when "the Paris of the Orient" was the newest horizon on an increasingly international jazz music scene. For Black musicians, who were often excluded from white musicians' unions in the U. S. and subjected to other forms of segregation, Shanghai provided steady, well-paid work, and…
ID Number:2016.84.2.10.1
Date:1934
Image of Earl Whaley's Orchestra photo collage, circa 1937
Photograph

Earl Whaley's Orchestra photo collage, circa 1937

Many American jazz musicians traveled to Shanghai during the city's golden age in the 1930s, when "the Paris of the Orient" was the newest horizon on an increasingly international jazz music scene. For Black musicians, who were often excluded from white musicians' unions in the U. S. and subjected to other forms of segregation, Shanghai provided steady, well-paid work, and…
ID Number:2016.84.2.10.2
Date:Circa 1937
Image of Earl Whaley's band, Shanghai, China, circa 1937
Photograph

Earl Whaley's band, Shanghai, China, circa 1937

Many American jazz musicians traveled to Shanghai during the city's golden age in the 1930s, when "the Paris of the Orient" was the newest horizon on an increasingly international jazz music scene. For Black musicians, who were often excluded from white musicians' unions in the U. S. and subjected to other forms of segregation, Shanghai provided steady, well-paid work, and…
ID Number:2016.84.2.10.3
Date:Circa 1937
Image of Black nativity handbill, 1999
Ephemera

Black nativity handbill, 1999

"Black Nativity" is a gospel style retelling of the Nativity story with an entirely African American cast that was first performed in 1961. A mix of Langston Hughes' poetry, gospel songs and the traditional nativity story, the production was performed in Seattle at the Intiman Theatre from 1997-2009. The popular show continues to be produced annually in local venues.This handbill…
ID Number:2017.59.25
Date:1999
Image of Black nativity program, 2007
Program

Black nativity program, 2007

Langston Hughes’ “Black Nativity,” first performed Off-Broadway in 1961, opened in Seattle in 1998. Rev. Samuel McKinney (1926-2018) of the Mount Zion Baptist Church was the narrator, and Pastor Patrinell “Pat” Wright (1944-) and her Total Experience Gospel Choir provided the music. The show has been a popular part of Seattle’s holiday season ever since.In 2007 the show marked its…
ID Number:2017.59.31
Date:2007
Image of Seafair King and Queen in Seattle, 2003
Photograph

Seafair King and Queen in Seattle, 2003

Seafair Royalty have been a part of Seattle's annual summer celebration since the festival's beginnings in 1950. Each year one man is crowned King Neptune and one woman crowned Queen Alcyone, both chosen based on their philanthropic contributions to the Puget Sound region and ability to inspire the communities in which they live. A Miss Seafair is also selected to…
ID Number:2017.59.33
Date:2003
Image of Musicians' Mutual Protective Union of Seattle membership card, June 17, 1892
Ephemera

Musicians' Mutual Protective Union of Seattle membership card, June 17, 1892

Frank Buell Cade (1868-1954) came to Seattle in 1890, the same year that saw the creation of the Seattle chapter of the Musicians Mutual Protective Union (MMPU), Local 30 of the National League of Musicians (NLM) (later AFM Local 76, now AFM Local 76-493). Mr. Cade began working as a bookkeeper for the People & Knowles Sheet Metal Works (he…
ID Number:2018.3.3.105
Date:1892
Image of Rev. Samuel McKinney, Coretta Scott King, and Louise McKinney, Seattle, November 1961
Photograph

Rev. Samuel McKinney, Coretta Scott King, and Louise McKinney, Seattle, November 1961

Rev. Samuel B. McKinney, pastor of Mount Zion Baptist Church, invited his friend and former classmate Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. to speak in Seattle in 1961. Dr. King arrived in Seattle on November 8, spoke at UW's Meany Hall and the Temple de Hirsch on November 9, and Garfield High School and the Eagles Auditorium on November 10. Afterward,…
ID Number:2018.10.7
Date:1961
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