A Guide to Her Holdings at the Indiana University Black Film
Center/Archive
Mary Perry Smith Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame
Archives Collection, Series 15. Mary Perry Smith's personal and research files, approximately 1962-2011
The materials in this series are open to the public.
The Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame, Inc. (BFHFI) was founded in Oakland, California in 1974.
The BFHFI began as a collaboration among Roy Thomas from the Afro-American Studies
Department at UC-Berkeley, Mary Perry Smith, who was the co-chairperson of the Cultural and
Ethnic Affairs Guild and at the Oakland Museum, and Sonny Buxton of the San Francisco Bay
Area station KGO-TV.
The BFHFI identified itself as an organization "dedicated to influencing Black images
portrayed in film and television through education, the nurturing of current independent
filmmakers and the preservation of contributions by Black artists" (BFHFI 20th Anniversary
Celebration Program). Throughout its existence the BFHFI presented award ceremonies honoring
contemporary and historic figures in black filmmaking. Notable programs established by the
BFHFI include the Oscar Micheaux Awards Ceremony, the International Black Film, Video &
Screenplay Competition, the Black Filmworks International Film Festival, and the Sidney
Poitier Fellowship. Additionally, educational programs, various symposia, and lecture series
on black film were conducted throughout the life of the organization.
The BFHFI initially operated in partnership with the Oakland Museum, later incorporating
itself as an independent, non-profit organization in 1978. Attempts to establish a dedicated
museum and permanent home for the BFHFI were ultimately unsuccessful, although the BFHFI did
begin acquisition of collections for this proposed museum.
The final Oscar Micheaux Awards ceremony was held in 1993, the 20th anniversary of the
founding of the event. The BFHFI continued to present the Black Filmworks International Film
Festival and Black Independent Film, Video & Screenplay Competition through 2003.
This collection is arranged into the following series with this series containing eight subseries:
This series contains documents stemming from Mary Perry Smith's activities outside of the
Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame and a few of her personal papers.
Subseries 15.1. consists of documents generated by the activities of the Oakland Museum of
California (OMC) between 1966 and 2008, but that have no clear relation to the Black
Filmmakers Hall of Fame. Units within the OMC that are represented are the Cultural and
Ethnic Affairs Guild, the Oakland Museum Association, and the Women's Board, including
documents regarding the latter’s White Elephant Sale.
The Oakland Potluck is a Non-Profit organization dedicated to redistributing food from
restaurants to approved hunger-relief agencies in Alameda County. The files in subseries
15.2 represent the activities of the Oakland Potluck from approximately the 1980s-1993.
Subseries 15.3 contains documents related to Smith's teaching activities in math and
science while 15.4. contains a few documents related specifically to her work with the
Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) program from 1975-2008.
Documents related to Smith's civic engagements and talks outside of those performed for the
Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame may be found in subseries 15.5 and include things such as
arrangements for lectures, workshops, and speeches.
Subseries 15.6. consists of Smith's personal correspondence, awards, final will and
testament, and a handful of restricted financial documents.
Subseries 15.7 and 15.8 include research files from Smith's personal file cabinet and
include both clippings and full newspaper issues.
Series:
15. Mary P. Smith's files
Subseries:
15.1. Oakland Museum of California, approximately 1966-2008
Note
Additional Oakland board and publicity materials are located under the respective
series within the main collection.
MS 1
Cultural and Ethnic Affairs Guild financial ledgers, 1966-1973
MS 1
Cultural and Ethnic Affairs Guild minutes, 1984
May 8
Note
Contains reference to BFHFI grant request.
AC 6.47
Cultural and Ethnic Guild documents, 1979-1981
AC 6.48
Cultural and Ethnic Guild documents, 1981-1983
AC 6.49
Figure on the Porch postcard, undated
AC 6.50
Program honoring Benjamin W. Hazard, undated
AC 6.51
Southern Roads/City Pavements: Photographs of Black Americans by Roland L.
Freeman catalog, 1981
Note
Traveling exhibit hosted at the Oakland Museum from 13 November 1981 to 3 January
1982.
AC 6.52
Open Forum : Currents in Black America and the Importance of
Photodocumentation in Conjunction with Southern Roads and City Pavements Photographic
Exhibition by Roland Freeman program, 1981 November
15
AC 6.53
The Museum of California Calendar, 1981 December-1982 January
AC 6.54
African Peoples' Odyssey : Paintings by Claude Clark catalog, 1982 March 7
Note
Hosted at Grand Oak Gallery, guest curated by Ben Hazard.
AC 6.55
Kasayahan: A Filipino Cultural Festival flyer, 1982 March 27
MS 1
Cultural and Ethnic Guild documents, 1984 May
8
Note
Contains reference to BFHFI grant request.
MS 1
Cultural and Ethnic Affairs Guild documents, 1988 May-June
AC 6.56
Twenty-Fifth Anniversary Founders Dinner Commemorative Program, 1994 December 1
MS 1
Oakland Museum Association correspondence and membership directories,
1975-1980
MS 1
Oakland Museum Association recommendation for board members, 1976
MS 1
Oakland Museum Association By-Laws, 1979 June
6
AC 6.57
Oakland Museum newsletters, 1974-1976
Note
5 issues.
MS 1
Oakland Museum newsletters, 1979-1991
Note
5 issues.
MS 1
"Songs of My People" exhibition, 1993
Note
Smith served as volunteer for creation of exhibit.
MS 1
Oakland Museum correspondence, 1994
AC 6.58
Visitor's Guide to the Oakland Museum brochure, undated
AC 6.58
Business Membership, The Oakland Museum Association brochures, undated
AC 6.58
Annuity and Life Income Plans, Oakland Museum Association booklet, undated
MS 1
Women's Board, 1999-2000
MS 1
Women's Board, 2001-2002
MS 1
Women's Board, 2002-2003
MS 1
Women's Board, 2003-2004
MS 1
Women's Board, 2004-2005
MS 1
Women's Board, 2005-2006
MS 1
Women's Board, 2006-2007
MS 1
Women's Board, 2007-2008
MS 1
Women's Board, White Elephant Sale tote, undated
Subseries:
15.2. Oakland Potluck, approximately 1980s-1993
MS 1
By-laws, 1980s
MS 1
Interviews with restauranteurs, 1987-1988
MS 1
General, 1987-1993
MS 1
Oakland Potluck newsletter and news clippings, 1987-1993
MS 1
Oakland Potluck and Oakland Ballet sample job descriptions, undated
Subseries:
15.3. Teaching, approximately
1963-2005
AC 6.59
Certificate of appreciation presented to Mary Perry Smith, undated
Note
Presented by the Cultural & Ethnic Affairs Guild and the Special Exhibits &
Education Department of the Oakland Museum for Smith's role as high school coordinator
and in a "Black revolution in science and technology."
MS 1
The Dot and the Line / Norton Jester, undated
Note
Includes photocopy of book used by Smith for an elementary school reading as well as
thank-you cards from the children.
MS 1
Mathematics and computer publications, 1963-1972
MS 1
Student project and thank-you letter, 1975
January
MB 16
Black Students Cultural Committee Achievement Award plaque presented to Mary
P. Smith, Historical Servant, College of Alameda, 1983
February 22
Physical description
1 item : 11 x 8.5 x 1.5 inches
MS 1
Miscellaneous, 1985-1992
MS 1
Geometric Designs (draft?) / Colonel Beard, possibly 1994
MS 1
Geometric Designs / Colonel Beard, possibly 1994
December 27
MS 1
Former students - Camellia Hudson/Franklin, 1993-2001
MS 1
Junior Center of Art and Science, 1998
MS 1
Correspondence from Erika M. Kreger, 2005
August
AC 6.60
Retirement information and greeting cards, 1975-1987
AC 6.61
Document drafts, 1970s
AC 6.62
Correspondence, 1964-1985
AC 6.63
Letters of recommendation [Restricted], 1965-1972
Subseries:
15.4. Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Program, approximately 1975-2008
MS 1
MESA notebook, 1975-1996
MS 1
MESA, 1979-2008
AC 6.64
MESA, Miscellaneous, 1979-1983
AC 6.65
Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA) Evaluation Report /
Nancy K. Atwood, et al. Center for the Study of Evaluation, 1982 December
AC 6.66
Governance of the Mathematics, Engineering, Science Achievement (MESA)
Program, 1984 December 20
MS 1
MESA directories, approximately
1985
AC 6.67
A Study of the Mathematics Performance of Black
Students at the University of California, Berkeley
/ Philip Michael Treisman
[reproduction], c1985
AC 6.68
MESA Board of Directors Program Report, 1986
January 22
MS 1
MESA correspondence with Raymond B. Landis, 1987-1988
AC 6.69
Achieving Excellence in Minority Engineering Education / Raymond B. Landis,
possibly 1990
AC 6.70
MESA correspondence with Fred Easter, 1989 July
26
AC 6.71
MESA Mission draft, 1990
January 26
AC 6.72
MESA Expansion Strategy : Response to Action Item from Assembly Bill 3237
(Chacon, 1990), 1992 March 12
AC 6.72
MESA News, Vol. 15, no. 2, 1992 Spring
N/A
MESA[?]. KQED Morning Edition ; NPR Crossroads audiocassette, 1992 June 18 and 1992 July
9
Shelf no(s).
COL 5 AC 27
Note
Stored with audiocassettes at the BFC/A.
AC 6.73
MESA history draft ; Interview with Mary Ann Carr, after 1991
MS 1
MESA correspondence from Ray Landis regarding research, 1993
MS 1
MESA Board of Directors meeting agenda, 1995
June 9
N/A
MESA : A Bridge to the Future videocassette produced by Ray Bloch
Productions, 1996 April
Shelf no(s).
COL 5 VH 561
Note
Stored with VHS tapes at the BFC/A.
MS 1
MESA "Lists commonly used," undated
Subseries:
15.5. Civic engagements and talks, 1979-2009
AC 6.74
Northern California Council of Black Professional Engineers Inaugural Dinner
program and correspondence, 1979 February
3
Note
Mary Smith presented with Community Service Award.
MS 1
African Scientific Institute, 1980-1992
MS 1
UC Berkeley MESA Summer Program Career Awareness Workshop, 1984
MS 1
UC Berkeley Career Information Day, 1988
MS 1
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, 1988-1990
AC 6.75
Northern California Center for Afro American History and Life Annual Awards
Dinner program and correspondence, 1991 May
11
Note
Mary Smith presented with William Elmer Keeton Award as president of the BFHFI.
MS 1
C.I.T.I.E.S. Annual Black History Celebration, 1993
MS 1
African American Heritage Celebration (San Francisco FBI), 1995
MS 1
Release for Smith's interview conducted by S. Torriano Berry for his book
The Fifty Most Important Black Films plus screening
program hosed by Berry at Howard University, 1999 February 5 and April 6
AC 6.76
S. Torriano Berry book documents, 1999
AC 6.77
Investing in Our Youth : New Oakland Committee 29th Anniversary Dinner
program, 1999 June 11
Note
Mary Smith presented with Oakland Citizen of the Year Award, 2 copies.
MS 1
In Pursuit of a Diverse Solutions, 2000
MS 1
Northern California Council of Black Professional Engineers, 2000
AC 6.78
The Junior Center of Art and Science Honors program, 2002 April 13
Note
Mary Smith presented with Leadership Award.
MS 1
Dimensions Dance Theater, 35th Anniversary Celebration Committee, 2007-2009
Subseries:
15.6. Correspondence and miscellaneous personal documents, approximately 1962-2011
MS 2
Biographies and CVs, undated
MS 2
Letter to the editor, California Voice, 1992
March 27
MS 2
Smith's mailing lists, undated
AC 7.1
Correspondence, 1972-1974
MS 2
Correspondence with Margot Hicks and regarding the Hicks Family, 1980-1986
AC 7.2
Correspondence from Jerri Lange, 1988
MS 2
Correspondence with and regarding Margot Humphrey, 1983-1994
MS 2
Correspondence, undated
MS 2
Correspondence from Kathy Irving, probably 1999
MS 2
Correspondence, 2000
MS 2
Correspondence, 2002
AC 7.3
Correspondence, 1990s
MS 2
Correspondence from J.O. Perry with real estate appraisal, 1993
MS 2
Friends and family, undated
MS 2
Donations, 1980s-1990s
Note
Restricted.
MS 2
Miscellaneous, 2005-2011
MS 2
Miscellaneous memberships, 1977-2000
MS 2
Certificates of appreciation, 1986-1995
MS 2
Purdue reunion, 1997-1998
MS 2
Household, undated
MS 2
Bank statements, 2000
Note
Restricted.
MS 2
Bank statements, 2001
Note
Restricted.
MS 2
Bank statements, 2002
Note
Restricted.
MS 2
Put Me on a Ship cruise documents, 2005
MS 2
Smith's receipts, 2007-2008
MS 2
Copies of Norvell and Mary Smith's wills, 1977-1998
MS 2
Museum exhibits, promotional materials, undated
AC 7.4
Smith's journal, 1992
June-1993 November
Note
Includes entries on the BFHFI.
AC 7.5
The Oakland Symphony program, 1983-1984
AC 7.6
National Lawyers Guild Bay Area Chapter Testimonial Dinner : Jessica Mitford,
Robert Treuhaft, Honorees program, 1985
Note
Maya Angelou featured as guest speaker.
AC 7.7
Oakland Branch N.A.A.C.P. Donald P. McCullum Oakland Federal Building Plaza
Dedication program, 1996
AC 7.8
The Club at the Claremont Members Enjoy VIP Dinners brochure, 1999
Note
Includes photo of Norvell and Mary Smith.
AC 7.9
Italy postcards and hotel brochure, undated
AC 7.10
Pencil sketch of Mary Perry Smith / Larry Batiste, undated
AC 7.11
Page from Sonjia Warren Brandon's Commercials Unlimited signed and
personalized by Camellia Hudson, undated
OS 1.12
Certificate of appreciation presented to Mary Perry Smith by National Council
of Negro Women, Inc., 1962
OS 1.12
Oakland Technical High School class poster, undated
OS 2.1
Key to City of Tuskegee, Alabama, presented to Mary Perry-Smith, President of
BFHFI, 1987 April 3
OS 2.1
Key to City of Tuskegee, Alabama, presented to Norvell Smith, 1987 April 3
OS 2.10
KQED Black History Month Honors Mary Perry Smith, 1995 February
MB 10
Millennium Community Leader Award presented to Mary Perry Smith, Co-Founder
BFHFI, by Community NETwork, undated
Note
Etched glass triangle with separate marble base.
Subseries:
15.7. Research clippings, 1982-2008
Scope
Clippings and full issues with articles arranged by topic from Mary P. Smith's personal
file cabinet.
MS 3.1
Allen, Debbie / Fame, 1982-1985
MS 3.2
Ayers-Allen, Phylicia, 1985-1986
MS 3.3
Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 1997 and 2005
MS 3.4
Black Filmmakers Hall of Fame Oscar Micheaux Award Ceremony coverage,
1976
MS 3.5
Black Hollywood Yesteryear / Shaw, Valerie, 1984
MS 3.6
Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train, 2007
MS 3.7
Jet articles, approximately
2000s
MS 3.8
Kaiser publications, 1999-2003
MS 3.9
Malcolm X / Spike Lee, 1986-2006
MS 3.10
A Soldier's Play, 1982-1983
MS 3.11
Woods, Tiger, 1997 and
2000
AC 7.12
Black Holocaust Museum related articles documents, undated
AC 7.13
Black Holocaust Museum related articles documents, undated
MS 3.12
Clippings, miscellaneous, 1980-1985
AC 7.14
Clippings, Miscellaneous, many about Oakland schools and African American
education, 1981-1986
AC 7.15
Miscellaneous clippings re: Black history, 1973-2000
MS 3.13
Clippings, miscellaneous, 1986
MS 3.14
Clippings, miscellaneous, 1988
MS 3.15
Clippings, miscellaneous, 1991-1997
MS 3.16
Clippings, miscellaneous, 1999
MS 3.17
Clippings, miscellaneous, 2000
MS 3.18
Clippings, miscellaneous, 2001
MS 3.19
Clippings, miscellaneous, 2005-2008
Subseries:
15.8. Full newspaper issues, 1982-2004
Scope
Full newspaper issues from Mary P. Smith's personal file cabinet.
MS 4.1
Berkeley Monthly, Vol. XII, no. 11, 1982
August
MS 4.2
Black Arts Quarterly, Vol. 9, no. 1-2, 2004 Winter-Spring/Summer
MS 4.3
Chronicle of Philanthropy, 1991-1993
Note
Three issues.
MS 4.4
East Bay Guardian, Vol. 1, nos. 6 and 8, 1991 February and April
Note
Two issues.
MS 4.5
Education Life, section 4A, 1993 April
4
MS 4.6
Express, 1990-1998
Note
Five issues.
MS 4.7
Meetings California, Vol. 8, no. 1, 1994
February
MS 4.8
Nonprofit Partners, 1992
Fall
MS 4.9
Oakland Tribune, 1991 October 21-November 1
Note
Nine issues.
MS 4.10
Oakland Tribune, 2001 November
30
MS 4.11
San Francisco Bay Guardian, Vol. 24, no. 27, 1990 April 11
MS 4.12
San Francisco Chronicle, 2001 November 28-29
MS 4.13
San Francisco Examiner : Bay Life '97, 1997 February 9 and
16
Note
Two issues.
MS 4.14
Silver Star News, 1994 and
2002
Note
Three issues.
MS 4.15
Village Voice, 1993
February 17-23
AC 7.16
Work in Progress : A Newsletter from the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation [Engineering publication], 1979 Fall
Notes
2 copies.
