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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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1189 results for: Black/African American

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Image of Klara Winston at ROOTS family picnic, Seattle, 1990
Photograph

Klara Winston at ROOTS family picnic, Seattle, 1990

The tradition of the ROOTS family picnic began in the early 1970s, when Arline and Letcher Yarbrough invited to dinner a group of close friends they hadn’t seen in many years. Those who attended agreed to establish more regular get togethers. Word went out to the “Old Timers,” as they called themselves, to come to a reunion at Seward Park.…
ID Number:2014.49.04.024.05
Date:1990
Image of People dancing at ROOTS family picnic, Seattle, 1990
Photograph

People dancing at ROOTS family picnic, Seattle, 1990

With few exceptions, the ROOTS (Relatives of Old Times in Seattle) family picnic has been held annually since the early 1970s, bringing together an average of 1000 people from Seattle’s Black community each year. The picnic also serves as a homecoming, with families who have relocated over the years coming back for the event. Attendees enjoy sharing food, listening to…
ID Number:2014.49.04.025.08
Date:1990
Image of Sam Smith at ROOTS family  picnic, 1991
Photograph

Sam Smith at ROOTS family picnic, 1991

The tradition of the ROOTS family picnic began in the early 1970s, when Arline and Letcher Yarbrough invited to dinner a group of close friends they hadn’t seen in many years. Those who attended agreed to establish more regular get togethers. Word went out to the “Old Timers,” as they called themselves, to come to a reunion at Seward Park.…
ID Number:2014.49.04.028.17
Date:1991
Image of Military ceremony at ROOTS family  picnic, 1994
Photograph

Military ceremony at ROOTS family picnic, 1994

The tradition of the ROOTS family picnic began in the early 1970s, when Arline and Letcher Yarbrough invited to dinner a group of close friends they hadn’t seen in many years. Those who attended agreed to establish more regular get togethers. Word went out to the “Old Timers,” as they called themselves, to come to a reunion at Seward Park.…
ID Number:2014.49.04.039.04
Date:1994
Image of Boy Scout group, Seattle, circa 1948
Photograph

Boy Scout group, Seattle, circa 1948

In addition to his images Seattle jazz clubs, Seattle photographer Al Smith took many photos of family, friends, and other local people in their everyday lives, particularly in the city's Black community. Here, Smith takes a picture of a local group of Boy Scouts and their troop leaders.
ID Number:2014.49.005.023.0269
Date:Circa 1948
Image of Six people posing behind a bar, Seattle, circa 1944
Photograph

Six people posing behind a bar, Seattle, circa 1944

In addition to documenting Seattle jazz clubs in the 1940s-50s, Al Smith also photographed family, friends and other local scenes in the city's Black community. On this occasion Smith photographed three men and three women behind the bar at an unidentified venue. Signs on the walls advertise beer and food, and indicate that the photo was taken during wartime: two…
ID Number:2014.49.005.027.0311
Date:Circa 1944
Image of Woman posing in front of grocery store, Seattle, circa 1950
Photograph

Woman posing in front of grocery store, Seattle, circa 1950

In addition to his Seattle jazz club images, photographer Al Smith took many photos of family and friends in the city's Black community. Here, an unidentified young woman in sunglasses poses with arms akimbo in front of a neighborhood grocery store. Written on negative sleeve: Old Timers
ID Number:2014.49.005.030.0353
Date:Circa 1950
Image of Rev. O.S. Thomas Lewis in his office, Seattle, circa 1950
Photograph

Rev. O.S. Thomas Lewis in his office, Seattle, circa 1950

In addition to his Seattle jazz club images, photographer Al Smith took many photos of family and friends in the city's Black community. Here, Smith photographed the pastor of a church in the Central Area, standing in his book-lined office. A sign mounted on the bookshelves identifies the man as Rev. O.S. Thomas Lewis. Written on negative sleeve: Old Timers
ID Number:2014.49.005.031.0364
Date:Circa 1950
Image of A. Philip Randolph at lecturn, Seattle, circa 1947
Photograph

A. Philip Randolph at lecturn, Seattle, circa 1947

A. Philip (Asa Philip) Randolph (1889–1979) was a labor organizer and civil rights activist. In 1925, he organized and led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first labor organization led by African Americans to receive a charter in the American Federation of Labor (AFL).Labor activist C.L. (Cottrell Lawrence) Dellums (1900-1989) was a porter for the Pullman Company when he…
ID Number:2014.49.005.039.0448
Date:Circa 1947
Image of A. Philip Randolph and C.L. Dellums at speaking venue, Seattle, circa 1947
Photograph

A. Philip Randolph and C.L. Dellums at speaking venue, Seattle, circa 1947

A. Philip (Asa Philip) Randolph (1889–1979) was a labor organizer and civil rights activist. In 1925, he organized and led the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first labor organization led by African Americans to receive a charter in the American Federation of Labor (AFL).Labor activist C.L. (Cottrell Lawrence) Dellums (1900-1989) was a porter for the Pullman Company when he…
ID Number:2014.49.005.039.0449
Date:Circa 1947
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