Billie Jenkins papers, 1969-2006 (bulk ca. 1980s-1995), bulk Bulk, 1980-1995

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Summary

Creators:
Jenkins, Billie Beasley, 1943-
Abstract:
Billie Beasley Jenkins is a pioneer for professional working women and African Americans in the entertainment industry. She has been involved in many aspects of film and television including acquisitions, business affairs, human resources and casting to executive in charge of production for movies made for television, pilots, series and theatrical films. The collection consists of material related to Jenkins involvement with Women In Film and her public service activities with organizations and institutions such as The American Film Institute Gary Hendler Minority Filmmaker Program, the City of Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission and the Boy Scouts of America Women of Excellence committee, among others.
Extent:
6.5 linear ft. (14 boxes)
Language:
and Materials are in English.
Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Billie Jenkins Papers (Collection PASC 322). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.

Background

Scope and content:

The collection consists of materials related to the career of Billie Beasley Jenkins, entertainment businesswoman and pioneer for professional women and African Americans in the entertainment industry. The bulk of the collection are files related to Jenkins' tenure as consultant and/or President of Women In Film and include Board agendas, meeting minutes, organization newsletters, and other event files. Also included are materials related to her professional contributions with organizations and institutions including The American Film Institute Gary Hendler Minority Filmmaker Program, the City of Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission and the Boy Scouts of America Women of Excellence committee, among others. Additionally, there is a small amount of printed materials, two DVDs documenting television appearances made by Jenkins, and four photographs. Additional materials include restricted files pertaining to a lawsuit generated by Jenkins against 20th Century Fox Studio; the files are closed until six months following the death of Jenkins. Notably absent from the collection are files and scripts related to her involvement with specific film and television projects in which she was involved while working for Screen Gems or the Leonard Goldberg Company.

Biographical / historical:

Billie Beasley Jenkins was born on June 27, 1943 in Topeka, Kansas. In 1948, her family relocated to Los Angeles, California. She attended Louis Pasteur Junior High School, graduated from Dorsey High and attended Santa Monica College. On a dare in 1976, Jenkins applied for and was hired as a receptionist in the personnel department of Columbia Pictures. Within a month, Jenkins went to work for Jackie Cooper at Screen Gems, the television arm of Columbia. Leonard Goldberg replaced Cooper in 1969 and Jenkins stayed on as his assistant. During her time at Screen Gems, Jenkins was involved in a number of popular television shows such as The Monkees, Bewitched, I Dream of Jeannie, The Partridge Family, Bridget Loves Bernie, and Brian's Song.

In 1972 Goldberg and Aaron Spelling formed Spelling-Goldberg Productions, a television production company at 20th Century Fox. Jenkins joined Goldberg at the new company where she played a key role in the production of made-for-television movies, theatrical films, and series including, Charlie's Angels, Family, Fantasy Island, Hart to Hart, Starsky & Hutch, The Rookies, and T. J. Hooker. In the early 1980s the Leonard Goldberg Company was moved to Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Inc. (MGM). Jenkins was promoted to Director of Administration and was involved with the production of films such as the Emmy award winning Something About Amelia and WarGames. She was promoted to Vice President of Administration for the Leonard Goldberg Company at Paramount Pictures in 1985. In this position Jenkins was involved with the development and production of the pilots and television series Paper Dolls and The Cavanaughs.

Jenkins moved to 20th Century Fox Film Corporation with Goldberg in 1986 when he became President and Chief Operating Officer. She later became Director of Administration in Studio Operations. This executive appointment made Jenkins was responsible for seven departments on the studio lot including, Purchasing, Administrative Services, Special Events, Production Facilities, and Special Projects. She also served as the studio facilities executive liaison for the filming of the motion picture Die Hard. In 1990, Jenkins was named to the newly created position of Director, Production Services and Resources in the Fox Motion Picture Division. She left Fox in 1992, devoting full time to her own company, Masala Productions, Inc.

In January 1991, Jenkins was named the first African American president of Women In Film. As a leader in the Black community she has served as Program Coordinator for the American Film Institute's Gary Hendler Minority Filmmakers, was a member of the Black Women's Network, and guest speaker at numerous events and seminars. Jenkins was appointed by Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley as one of five commissioners to serve on the Cultural Heritage Commission, 1992-1993.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Billie Jenkins, 2007.
Arrangement:

Arranged in the following series:

  1. Women In Film
  2. Lawsuit -- Note: THIS PORTION OF THE COLLECTION CLOSED
  3. Professional Activities
  4. Correspondence
  5. Photographs
  6. Printed Material
  7. Television Appearances

Physical / technical requirements:

COLLECTION CONTAINS DIGITAL MATERIALS: Special equipment or further processing may be required for viewing. To access digital materials you must notify the reference desk in advance of your visit.

Physical location:
Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Rules or conventions:
Describing Archives: A Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

COLLECTION STORED OFF-SITE AT SRLF: Open for research. Advance notice required for access. Contact the UCLA Library Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.

Boxes 12, 13, and 14 are closed until six months following the death of Billie Jenkins.

Terms of access:

Property rights to the physical object belong to the UCLA Library Special Collections. Literary rights, including copyright, are retained by the creators and their heirs. It is the responsibility of the researcher to determine who holds the copyright and pursue the copyright owner or his or her heir for permission to publish where The UC Regents do not hold the copyright.

Portions of this collection are closed.

Preferred citation:

[Identification of item], Billie Jenkins Papers (Collection PASC 322). UCLA Library Special Collections, Charles E. Young Research Library, UCLA.

Location of this collection:
A1713 Charles E. Young Research Library
Box 951575
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1575, US
Contact:
(310) 825-4988
AskLSC@library.ucla.edu
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