The material in this series consist of photographs focused on the African American experience. Included are photographs of African American subjects and political rallies taken by Ted Sahl, as well as a small photographic album that features African Americans living in Santa Cruz during the 1950s, and miscellaneous photographs taken by others. Sahl photographed African American schools, churches, community celebrations, and famous celebrities. Other photographs include political events such as the SJSU African American Faculty and Staff Association political marches and outreach events.

This box contains one folder of miscellaneous photographs and three binders. Sahl's original albums have been rehoused in archival binders. The first album is of African Americans in Santa Cruz, which Sahl purchased from a local antique shop. The title of the album is "Jessie May" and dates between 1940-1950. The second album is dated March 13, 2007, and includes newspaper articles on black gay veterans and the United States military's "don't ask, don't tell" policy. Clay Wilson, a Korean War veteran, is featured in the article, and there are photographos of Marie Johnson Calloway, a local African American artist. The third album documents SJSU African American faculty and the student association protest for equal opportunity in higher education. It also includes images taken by Sahl of the Cesar Chavez monument opening ceremony on Sept. 4, 2008 at SJSU, and images of celebrities such as Angela Davis, Tom Bradley (former mayor of Los Angeles), Reverend Jessie Jackson, Bishop Tutu, Willie Brown, and OJ and Nicole Simpson.

Files are arranged alphabetically by format.

This series consists of magazines, postcards, newsclippings, printed fans, programs, pamphlets, marketing images, postcard books, and information cards dating from 1915 to 2002. A wide variety of attitudes towards African Americans throughout the twentieth century is represented within this series including Jim Crow-era postcards and materials that celebrate the contributions of African American artists, writers and politicians in American society. A small collection of sheet music is included in this series varying from "negro spirituals" to "minstrel music" and tunes made popular by African American singers such as Ella Fitzgerald and Nat King Cole. Other notable materials include original "Coon Chicken" advertisements, a small collection of paper advertising fans depicting African Americans. Examples include a fan of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., and a "Darkie Toothpaste" advertisement fan.

This series is loosely arranged by format.

This series is comprised of textiles, dolls, and ceramic figurines that depict African Americans. Included is a Sambo rag doll, a Mr. T doll, and a toy car produced by Disney for the amusement park ride "Autotopia" featuring a black figurine driver and rider.