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Guide to the Bryant Family Papers
MS 164
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Table of contents
Title: Bryant Family papers
Dates: 1916-2017 (bulk 1916-1990)
Bulk Dates: 1916-1990
Collection number: MS 164
Creator:
Smith, Jackie Bryant
Collection Size:
5.6 linear feet
(5 boxes + 3 oversized boxes + 8 artworks)
Repository:
African American Museum & Library at Oakland (Oakland, Calif.)
Oakland, CA 94612
Abstract: The Bryant Family Papers include correspondence, records, realia, publications, photographs, and artwork that document aspects
of the family's work life, social life, and political activities. The papers are organized into six series: James J. Bryant,
Florence Bryant, Jackie Bryant Smith, Photographs, NAACP, and Printed Material.
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 Bryant Family Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.
Bryant Family papers, MS 164, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.
The collection was donated by Jackie Bryant Smith to the African American Museum & Library at Oakland in 2009.Accession 2017-018
was donated by Jackie Bryant Smith on December 1, 2016.Accession 2018-024 was donated by Jackie Bryant Smith on April 19,
2018.
Processed by Carl Schmitz, April 14, 2015.Finding aid updated to add Accession #2017-018 by Sean Heyliger on October 26, 2017.Finding
aid updated to add Accession #2018-024 by Sean Heyliger on November 2, 2018.
Biography / Administrative History
James J. Bryant was born to George and Addie Bryant in Perry, Kansas, on January 16, 1888, the second son among five brothers.
Florence Bryant was born to Henry and Liza Stevens in Linn Creek, Missouri, on January 21, 1894, the youngest of six children.
The Bryants were married in Wichita, Kansas, on June 28, 1916 and moved to Oakland in 1938. James was a long-time sleeping
car porter for the Pullman Company and active in the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Florence was named Oakland’s inaugural
Mother of the Year in 1954 and was active in organizations such as the March of Dimes. James J. Bryant passed away on March
27, 1976, and Florence Bryant passed away on August 29, 1985. Jackie Bryant Smith, one of five daughters of James J. and Florence
Bryant, was born on June 5, 1941, in Oakland and was active with the NAACP.
Scope and Content of Collection
The Bryant Family Papers include correspondence, records, realia, publications, photographs, and artworks that document aspects
of the family's work life, social life, and political activities. The papers are organized into seven series: James J. Bryant,
Florence Bryant, Jackie Bryant Smith, Photographs, NAACP, Printed Material. and Artworks.
James J. Bryant worked as a porter for the Pullman Company and was active with the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters. Thorough
his correspondence, employee records, and paystubs, the working life of a Pullman porter is uniquely documented. As shown
in photographs included in the papers, the Bryants regularly attended area events when special guests included figures such
as A. Philip Randolph and C. L. Dellums. Of particular interest within James J. Bryant's series are a number of Pullman Company
porter name cards and a Pullman Company porter hat. Florence Bryant was active in social and charitable organizations such
as the Oakland Festival of Roses' Mother of the Year award and the March of Dimes. Both Florence Bryant and her daughter Jackie
Bryant Smith were active in the NAACP. Jackie Bryant Smith became a colleague to local politicians John J. Miller and Warren
Widener. Jackie Bryant Smith has also done extensive family history work and the included scrapbooks document her family tree
from Florence (Stevens) Bryant's grandparents through the current generation, with research as recent as 2012.
Series I. James J. Bryant
Series II. Florence Bryant
Series III. Jackie Bryant Smith
Series IV. Photographs
Series V. NAACP
Series VI. Printed Material
Series VII. Artworks
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in
the library's online public access catalog.
Bryant, James J.
Bryant, Florence Stevens.
Smith, Jackie Bryant.
African Americans--California--History.
Pullman porters--Labor unions--United States.
NAACP (Organization).
March of Dimes.
Oakland (Calif.) -- History.
Berkeley (Calif.) -- History.
Fannie Wall Children’s Home and Day Nursery, Inc., African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library.