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Guide to the D. G. Gibson Papers
MS 130
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Title: D. G. Gibson papers
Dates: 1939-1973
Collection number: MS 130
Creator:
Gibson, D. G.
Collection Size:
.25 linear feet
(1 box)
Repository:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Oakland, CA 94612
Abstract: Businessman and civic leader D. G. Gibson (1891-1973) was born on February 14, 1891 in Calvert, Texas. After attending Guadalupe
College in Seguin, Texas, he joined the 92nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army fighting in France during World War I. Following
the war, he moved to California in 1920 settling in the East Bay first as a real estate agent and then opening and operating
one of the most successful distribution businesses on the West Coast, selling subscriptions for black newspapers, periodicals
and cosmetic supplies. The D.G. Gibson papers consists of financial records, correspondence, beauty product catalogs, programs,
pamphlets, and invitations related to the life and business enterprises of D.G. Gibson.
Languages:
Languages represented in the collection:
English
No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.
Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.
Permission to publish from the D. G. Gibson papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
D. G. Gibson papers, MS 130, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
Processed by Sean Heyliger, 02/05/2014.
Biography / Administrative History
Businessman and civic leader D. G. Gibson (1891-1973) was born on February 14, 1891 in Calvert, Texas. After attending Guadalupe
College in Seguin, Texas, he joined the 92nd Infantry Division of the U.S. Army fighting in France during World War I. Following
the war, he moved to California in 1920 settling in the East Bay first as a real estate agent and then opening and operating
one of the most successful distribution businesses on the West Coast, selling subscriptions for black newspapers, periodicals
and cosmetic supplies.
Beginning in the 1930s, Gibson became active in Democratic politics. He served in the Democratic Party in multiple capacities
as a club chairman, district coordinator, campaign coordinator, county coordinator, and state representative. He was a member
of numerous East Bay civic organizations including the YMCA, East Bay Business and Professional Men’s League, Port of Oakland
Club, NAACP, Men of Tomorrow, Inc., and the Berkeley Interracial Committee.
Scope and Content of Collection
The D.G. Gibson papers consists of financial records, correspondence, beauty product catalogs, programs, pamphlets, and invitations
related to the life and business enterprises of D.G. Gibson. The papers are organized into three series: D.G. Sales and Service
records, civic organizations, and printed material. The bulk of the collection is records related to D.G. Gibson’s black periodicals
and beauty product distribution service and includes financial records, product catalogs, and correspondence related to subscription
renewal. The civic organization series includes a 1946 letter from the Berkeley Interracial Committee soliciting donations
from members and envelopes of the Negro Non-Partisan League of California. Printed material consists of a funeral program
from D.G. Gibson’s memorial service, the pamphlet,
A plan… with a future, by the National Negro News Distributors Association, invitations from various Oakland organizations, and a membership application
and personal ad listing by the Bronze Key Exchange and the American Colored Club, two African American dating services.
Series I. D. G. Gibson Sales and Service
Series II. Civic organizations
Series III. Printed material
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
African American beauty operators.
African American businesspeople.
Beauty culture--United States--History.
Beauty, Personal--History.
Beauty shop supplies industry--United States.