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This collection contains two minute books of the Alpha Tau Chapter of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity at Bluefield State College, an H.B.C.U. in Bluefield, West Virginia. Each grey cloth-bound book has "Records" printed on its cover, with "Kappa Alpha Psi" handwritten on one and "KAΨ" handwritten on the other. The minute books document meetings of the fraternity held over a decade, between 1951 and 1964. The first book dates from 1951 to 1956, and the second book is dated from 1956 to 1964. The entries chronicle the fraternity's pledging process, parties, hazing, initiation, charity events, finances, and the maintenance of the Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity house. Entries discuss the "laxity" of Scroller Club (prospective members), or impose sanctions on pledges failing to meet expectations: "Bro. Chesly made a motion that in the event that the prospective neophytes do not finish the painting tonight they will be left on pro until after Christmas (Dec. 11, 1952). Mention of trouble with the alumni committee for their hazing practices: "The Polemarch informed us that the alumni chapter said that we would have to drop some of the pranks played on probates such as kissing the Kotex, fake penis and slap jar drinking because it leads to homosexuality" (May 7, 1953). Lists of pledges are present in the books, alongside actual vote tallies by their elders accepting or rejecting them for membership; so too are vote tallies for women seeking to become "Kappa Queen." From time to time, problem pledges come up for discussion, for instance those too poor to pay the membership fee: "Bro Cousin mention that little bro Witten would have a conflict when he goes on probation because he works in the mines at night ... little bro. Witten may not be able to pay his money by the deadline." (Nov. 13, 1952). Other entries discuss their charity work and involvement with the local community including giving out scholarships, putting on plays in local schools, purchasing Christmas Seals from the N.A.A.C.P. and a "Guide Right" mentorship program. The brothers selected a topic of "The Challenge of Integration" as a topic for the program (April 13,1959).

This collection contains two letters and three pamphlets related to the Independent Order of St. Luke, an African American fraternal order founded after the Civil War to promote Black economic independence. The Order was headquartered on St. James Street in Richmond, where the two included letters dating from 1961 were postmarked. The letters were sent by Dorothy V. Turner, the recording secretary of the Order, to Alvis Pinnix of Burlington, North Carolina, a member of the Order. The February 6, 1961, letter invites Pinnix to an initiation of a new council, while the August 18, 1961, letter discusses an Order membership drive. An undated folded pamphlet titled "Juvenile Catechism" offers questions and answers about the "Juvenile Circles" within the Order of St. Luke. A 1968 "Certificateholders' Report" outlines the policyholder rating of The Right Worthy Grand Council, Independent Order of St. Luke, published by Dunne's Insurance Reports of Louisville, Kentucky. The third pamphlet is a program for a "Testimonial Dinner," celebrating Dorothy E. Turner, an Order member, on October 10, 1975.

This collection contains a scrapbook documenting one year of service of the Nu Kopelles, a youth group based in Queens, New York, sponsored by the African American professional and business women's sorority Lambda Kappa Mu. The scrapbook is dedicated to their youth coordinator, Elizabeth Lockett, and the opening title page, written in ink, identifies the club officers: President Karyn Greene, Vice President Jackie Chamacoon, Secretary Yvonne Stallworth, and Treasurer Sheila Blake. This scrapbook shows the many accomplishments of the Nu chapter of the Kopelles in 1975 and includes forty-five photographs, including forty-one color snapshots, with notes captioning the page. Events documented include the girls volunteering with Geraldo Rivera's One-to-One volunteer program, holiday visits to residents at the Irwin Nursing Home, and several luncheons. Some photographs show the girls dressed up, where the Kopelles "exhibited their talents in fashion modeling, dance choreography, music, song, and scholarship." The scrapbook also contains a list of the Kopelles' fundraising efforts and a flyer for a car wash.

This collection contains the constitution of the Locust Street Literary and Athletic Club of Hampton, Virginia. The document, dated July 22, 1910, is handwritten in graphite on three pages of lined paper. The preamble to the club's constitution states that they operate "to form a more perfect union, insure order, justice and tranquility and promote the highest intellectual and physical development of ourselves and of our race." This constitution contains 8 Acts: Act I details the structure of the organization, including the executive committee, officers, and legislative body; Act II sets age restrictions to 18 or older, limiting the club to thirty members, and details the election process for vacancies in the club; Act III establishes a joining fee of 25 cents, monthly dues of 10 cents, and unexcused absence fee of 5 cents; Act IV notes a schedule of weekly meetings during the summer and one afternoon each month dedicated to athletics; Act V outlines the governing body to consist of a President, Vice President, Secretary, Treasurer, and Executive Committee of four, with elections held the fourth week of July of every year; Act VI says the Secretary shall keep a strict journal of the proceedings of each meeting; Act VII says the Treasurers accounts will be subject to inspection by the Executive Committee; Act VIII notes that a two-thirds vote of the society may amend the "This constitution."

This collection contains thirty-two programs of Masonic related events. Twenty-seven are souvenir programs from African American Masonic meetings and events belonging to Roy Davis, a resident of Norwalk, Connecticut who was active in the Prince Hall Grand Chapter of New England. In addition to these are five programs for miscellaneous African American society events in the Northeast. Most of the programs were for events taking place in Connecticut between the late 1960s and early 1980s. There are also programs for the Order of the Eastern Star and the "National Council of Negro Women" that are for women who want to join the masons.

Manuscript minutes book of the Sons of Staunton African American Fraternal Lodge in Staunton, Virginia. Containing 154 pages of manuscript in pencil, dated 1914-1919. The Sons of Staunton Lodge no.1833 Grand United Order of Odd Fellow, an African American masonic lodge based in Staunton, Virginia. Each entry lists the officers present, the amount of dues paid, and any other business attended to during the meetings. Also included is a 1927 letter on letterhead of the King Harem Lodge, a sister lodge based in Staunton, two leaves from a 1920's minutes book, a rental receipt for a post office box by the King Hiram Lodge, and a church program from Mount Zion Baptist Church in Staunton, Virginia, Sunday September 12, 1948.

Once named for abolitionists J. R. Giddings and Jolifee Union, the Southern District Grand Tent No. 1 is a secret organization to help African American Christian women. It was created by former enslaved women, Annette Lane and Harriet Taylor. The collection contains a membership certificate for Eliza Braxton. It certifies that Braxton was part of the Iola Tent No.74 of Richmond, Virginia. The United Order of Tents was formed in 1867 in Richmond. The society provided aid to the African American Community across the nation.

A collection of 31 souvenir programs, plus approximately 50 ephemeral items, 12 periodical issues, six books, and three folders of Masonic Lodge records and documents.