Clark (VèVè A.) papers, approximately 1943, 1964-2007

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Summary

Title:
VeVe A. Clark papers
Dates:
approximately 1943, 1964-2007
Creators:
Clark, Vèvè A.
Abstract:
The VèVè A. Clark papers document her research, teaching, and professional career. The collection is divided into nine series: Photographic Materials; Audiovisual Materials; Teaching and Course Materials; Administrative Materials; Correspondence and Personalia; Katherine Dunham; Maya Deren; Writings; and Professional Activities.
Extent:
8 linear feet (6 cartons, 1 card file box)
Language:
English , French , Creoles and pidgins .
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], VèVè A. Clark papers, BANC MSS 2009/102,The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Background

Scope and content:

The VèVè A. Clark papers document her research, teaching, and professional activities. The collection includes materials from her tenure at UC Berkeley and Tufts University. The collection is divided into nine series: Photographic Materials; Audiovisual Materials; Teaching and Course Materials; Administrative Materials; Correspondence and Personalia; Katherine Dunham; Maya Deren; Writings; and Professional Activities. The Correspondence and Personalia series is small. Original folder titles were retained when available.

Biographical / historical:

VèVè Amasasa Clark (December 14, 1944-December 1, 2007) was a scholar, author, and expert in African and Caribbean literature. She helped create the nation's first doctoral program in African Diaspora Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. Clark was raised in Queens, New York and received her B.A. and M.A. from Queens College. She completed her Ph.D. in French and ethnology at UC Berkeley in 1983. After earning tenure at Tufts University, Clark returned to Berkeley as an associate professor in the Department of African American Studies. She was a faculty member for 16 years, serving as a mentor to and champion of Black undergraduate and graduate students across all disciplines. Clark focused on retaining and supporting Black students in her department, as well as those who specialized in African American, African and Caribbean studies. Clark was fluent in French, Spanish, and Creole, and conversant in Wolof. Trained in literary theory and anthropology, her approach was interdisciplinary, and she sought to foster social justice through the academy. Some of Clark's areas of expertise included African and Caribbean literatures, Afro-Caribbean folklore, African diasporic theater, African American dance history, and critical pedagogy. Clark taught some of her department's most popular classes, including Marasa: Caribbean Literatures by Women, The Negritude Movement in French African/Caribbean Literatures, African Women Writers, and Introduction to the University (AAS 39B), a course that helped prepare students for academic and extracurricular life at UC Berkeley. Clark coined the term "diaspora literacy" in one of her best known essays, and helped define African Diaspora Studies. She was also widely recognized for her research and publications on African American dancer, anthropologist, and social activist Katherine Dunham and avant-garde filmmaker Maya Deren.

This brief biography was adapted from the obituary for Clark written by Ula Y. Taylor, Sara E. Johnson, Trica D. Keaton, and Lisa Ze Winters. For more on Clark's life and work, see https://senate.universityofcalifornia.edu/_files/inmemoriam/html/veveclark.html

Acquisition information:
The VèVè A. Clark papers were given to The Bancroft Library in 2008 by Ula Y. Taylor.
Processing information:

Arranged to the folder level.

Processed by Marjorie Bryer in 2021.

Accruals:

No future additions are expected.

Physical / technical requirements:

Access to audio-visual materials may be restricted due to technical limitations.

Physical location:
Many of the Bancroft Library collections are stored offsite and advance notice may be required for use. For current information on the location of these materials, please consult the library's online catalog.
Rules or conventions:
DACS

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Marjorie Bryer
Date Encoded:
This finding aid was produced using ArchivesSpace on 2021-08-10 16:19:51 -0700 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

Collection is open for research.

Terms of access:

Some materials in these collections may be protected by the U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). In addition, the reproduction of some materials may be restricted by terms of University of California gift or purchase agreements, donor restrictions, privacy and publicity rights, licensing and trademarks. Transmission or reproduction of materials protected by copyright beyond that allowed by fair use requires the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owner. Responsibility for any use rests exclusively with the user. All requests to reproduce, publish, quote from, or otherwise use collection materials must be submitted to The Bancroft Library. See: http://bancroft.berkeley.edu/reference/permissions.html

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], VèVè A. Clark papers, BANC MSS 2009/102,The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Location of this collection:
University of California, Berkeley, The Bancroft Library
Berkeley, CA 94720-6000, US
Contact:
510-642-6481
bancref-library@berkeley.edu
Website