Papers of June Jordan

1936-2002 (inclusive), 1954-2002 (bulk)

The collection contains biographical material; personal and professional correspondence; notes; drafts of published poetry, novels, short stories, essays, articles, plays and collaborations; publicity materials; works by other writers; audio- and videotapes, and photographs documenting Jordan's professional and private life. Topics include equitable housing; racial equality; Black English; abuse against women; breast cancer; lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) issues; and American foreign policy, especially conflicts in Nicaragua and Lebanon. The personal correspondence in each series reflects the broad range of Jordan's friends and colleagues, her passion for creativity, her involvement in numerous organizations and political causes, and mutual critiquing among a core group of artists. The original filing systems were most likely created first by Jordan and then by her various personal assistants over the years. Papers, audio- and videotapes and photographs arrived both loose and in folders, both labeled and unlabeled. Audiotapes (T-331, Phon-38) and videotapes (Vt-155) were removed from the collection and cataloged separately. For many years, Jordan filed all of her papers by four folder headings: "Personal," "Business," "Drafts" and "Gigs."

correspondence

manuscripts

photographs

other materials

49.63 linear feet ((109 file boxes) plus 2 folio folders, 7 folio+ folders, 4 oversize folders, 2 supersize folders, 120 photograph folders, 1 folio photograph folder, 1 folio+ photograph folder, and electronic records)

English

sch00345