The Harold Jenkins Photograph Collection includes 81 photographs documenting Harold Slim Jenkins' various businesses in downtown Oakland, California. A majority of the photographs are publicity stills of bands and performers, interior shots of patrons and employees, or exterior photographs of Jenkins' businesses used for advertisements.

Harold Slim Jenkins (1890-1967) was born on July 22, 1890 in Monroe, Louisiana. He moved to Oakland, California shortly after World War I, worked as a waiter, and would eventually open his famed Slim Jenkins Cafe at 1748 Seventh St. in West Oakland on December 5, 1933 the day prohibition was repealed. Jenkins owned and operated a number of West Oakland restaurants, liquor stores, and night clubs which earned him the affectionate title of the mayor of West Oakland. For many years, Slim Jenkins Cafe was the primer nightclub in Oakland with musical performers such as Earl Hines, Louis Jordan, The Inkspots, and B.B. King. Jenkins was also active in many social and civic organizations and was a charter member of the Port of Oakland Community Club, active in Republican politics, and a member of the Men of Tomorrow, Oakland Chapter of the NAACP, Boys Club of Oakland, and director and Vice President of the Transbay Federal Savings and Loan Company.

.25 linear feet (1 box)

Permission to publish from the Harold Jenkins Photograph Collection must be obtained from the African American Museum and Library at Oakland.

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.