Inventory of the Ernest C. Smith Family Collection SPC.2019.019
Karen Clemons
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
February 2020; August 2024
University Library South -5039 (Fifth Floor)
1000 E. Victoria St.
Carson, CA 90747
Business Number: 310-243-3895
archives@csudh.edu
Contributing Institution:
California State University Dominguez Hills, Gerth Archives and Special Collections
Title: Ernest C. Smith Family Collection
source:
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Los Angeles Branch
source:
California Teachers Association
source:
United Teachers Los Angeles
source:
National Education Association
Creator:
Smith, Ernest C.
Creator:
McElroy, Lynetta A.S.
Creator:
Smith Vincent, Cheryl
Identifier/Call Number: SPC.2019.019
Physical Description:
20 boxes
Physical Description:
68 Linear Feet
Date (inclusive): 1930-2011; undated
Abstract: This collection contains material belonging to Ernest C. Smith and his family. The majority of the collection contains documents
regarding Ernest's life as a sheet metal contractor; teacher for the Los Angeles Unified School District; educator; politician;
and African American civil rights activist. This collection includes: articles, reports, certificates, correspondence, event
programs, photographs, ephemera, and other material. Also included in this collection are items that belonged to two of his
Ernest's daughters- Cheryl L. Smith Vincent and Lynetta Ann Smith McElroy; as well as a dissertation and curriculum vitae
belonging to Foraker Ulysses Smith.
Language of Material:
English
.
Scope and Contents
The Ernest C. Smith Family Collection (1930-2011; undated) contains 20 boxes and 68 linear feet of material belonging to Ernest
C. Smith and his family. The majority of the collection contains documents regarding Ernest's life as a sheet metal contractor;
teacher; educator; politician; and African American civil rights activist. Series One contains personal papers such as correspondence;
greeting cards; notes; diplomas; transcripts; wedding invitations; commencement programs; resumes; material related to church
and religion; and other material belonging to Ernest C. Smith, Cheryl L. Smith Vincent, Lynetta Ann Smith McElroy, and Foraker
Ulysses Smith. Series Two contains material related to Ernest's professional career including documents related to his time
as a sheet metal contractor; and newsletters, programs, ephemera, meeting notes, reports, and other material generated from
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), National Education Association (NEA), and
California Teachers Association (CTA) collected from when Ernest was a teacher. Also included in this series is material from
Ernest's time as member of the Los Angeles Branch's Executive Committee with the National Association for the Advancement
of Colored People (NAACP) including meeting minutes; awards dinner and convention programs; and material related to H.R.
40, Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African American Act. Finally, Series Two contains materials from Ernest's
senate campaigns; documents from his time as a coordinator for Yvonne W. Brathwaite's California State Assembly campaign;
material from Zephyr Democratic Club; and other material related to politics. Series Three contains journal issues and articles;
essays; fact sheets; and other material related to education, race, civil rights, and activism; and Series Four contains mostly
photographs featuring the Smith family and their friends at various events and gatherings.
Arrangement
This collection is arranged into four series:
- Series I: Personal Papers, 1948-2010; undated
- Sub-Series A: Ernest Smith Personal Papers, 1948-2010; undated
- Sub-Series B: Smith Family Personal Papers, 1974-1978
- Series II: Professional Materials, 1930-2011; undated
- Sub-Series A: Sheet Metal Contracting, 1950-1996; undated
- Sub-Series B: Teaching and Education, 1930-2009; undated
- Sub-Series C: Activism and Politics, 1960-2011; undated
- Series III: Subject Files, 1963-2010; undated
- Series IV: Photographs and A/V Material, circa 1930s-2000s; undated
- Sub-Series A: Photographs; circa 1930s-2000s
- Sub-Series B: A/V Material; undated
Conditions Governing Access
There are no access restrictions on this collection.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Director of Archives
and Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of Special Collections as the owner of the physical
materials and not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Lynetta A.S. McElory, June 2019
Processing Information
This collection was processed by Karen Clemons, February 2020
Preferred Citation
Biographical / Historical
Ernest "Ernie" C. Smith was born December 14, 1929 in Bastrop, Louisiana to Carl David Smith and Luvinia (Tinkschell) Johnson.
The Smith family moved from Louisiana to Los Angeles circa 1944. Ernest attended Thomas Jefferson High School where he graduated
in 1948, and went on to attend Los Angeles Trade Technical College (LATT College), Los Angeles Southwest College (LASW College),
UCLA, and Cal State Los Angeles where he received his Bachelor of Arts in industrial arts in 1975. In 1978 he received his
Master's Degree in School Management and Administration from Pepperdine University. After graduating from college, Ernest
taught Industrial Arts and Social Studies at a few secondary schools in Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) for twenty-six
years. He was also very active in his participation in education associations and held memberships in California Industrial
Education Association, California Democratic Council, Epsilon Pi Tau, Alpha Psi Chapter Cal State LA, California Teachers
Association, and United Teachers Los Angeles- where he was a part-time information assistant and served on the board of directors
for 12 years.
Along with his career and commitment to teaching and education, Ernest was also involved with church, politics, and the National
Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Ernest was chairman of the board of trustees at St. Mark United
Methodist Church; founded the Zephyr Democratic Club; held memberships of the Committee for Reprehensive Government and California
Democratic Council; worked as a coordinator for Yvonne Braithwaite Burke's election campaign to California State Assembly
in 1966, later serving as Burke's field deputy; volunteered for former President Obama's 2008 presidential campaign; and in
1978 Smith ran for the California State Senate seat in the 30th District. As a life member of the NAACP; Smith served on the
Los Angeles Branch's Executive Committee, had volunteer duties serving as chair of the Political Action Committee; was partially
responsible for organizing a town hall meeting in April 2003 regarding HR40, a bill by Congressman John Conyers Jr. "A Commission
to Study Reparations Proposals for African Americans Act"; was the assistant treasurer from 2003-2004; and won NAACP's volunteer
of the year in 2003.
Smith and his wife Mary Ann had five children: Cheryl L. Smith-Vincent; Lynetta Ann Smith McElroy; Tracie Wilson; Phillip
Bowdoin; and Lesley Pierce.
Sources: "Annual Roy Wilkins Freedom Fund Awards Dinner, Continuing to Make Difference in the Community" [program]; "Resume,
Ernest C. Smith" and other material located in the Ernest C. Smith Family Collection, SPC. 2019.019
Separated Materials
This collection contains books, pamphlets, and DVDs that are separated from the archival collection.
- "The Block" by Herb Goro. Random House, Inc., 1970
- "Surviving and Thriving 365 Facts in Black Economic History" by Julianne Malveaux. Last Word Productions, Inc., 2010
- "Emerging Artists: Figurative Abstraction", Second Biennial Exhibition. California Afro-American Museum, 1988
- "The Black West. A Documentary and Pictorial History" by William Loren Katz. 1971
- "The Negro in Modern American History Textbooks" 3rd edition. American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO, October 1968
- "The Second People's Song Book, Lift Every Voice! With an Introduction by Paul Robeson. Edited by Irwin Silber. A People's
Artists Publication, 1953
- "The ABC Picture Book of Eminent Negroes Past and Present" by Thomas M. Southern. The ABC Publishing Co. 1951
- "Freedom Destination Corps U.S.A., A Black Man's Last Plea" by Cleveland O. Harris. 1961
- "The Hero. A Short Biography of Patrice Emery Lumumba" by R.C. Kamanga. circa 1960s
- "Family Life and School Achievement, Why Poor Black Children Succeed or Fail" by Reginald M. Clark. University of Chicago
Press, 1983
- "A Guide to Negro Marketing Information". U.S. Department of Commerce, September 1966
- "Assimilation and the Jewish People" by Paul Novick. October 1964
- "How to Love a Black Woman" by Muntu Mwaminifu (Thomas Meloncon) Truth Publication, 1980
- "And Don't Call Me a Racist! A Treasury of Quotes on the Past, Present, and Future of the Color Line in America". Selected
and arranged by Ella Mazel. Argonaut Press, 1988
- "Code Name: The Long Sobbing. The Allies, The Axis, and the Victims: An Anthology from D-Day to V-E Day". Simon Wiesenthal
Center, 1994
- "Debating Race with Michael Eric Dyson" Basic Civitas Books, 2007
- "The Movement, Documentary of a Struggle for Equality" Text by Lorraine Hansberry, Simon and Schuster, 1964
- "Understanding the Riots, Los Angeles Before and After the Rodney King Case" by the staff of the Los Angeles Times, 1992
- "19 Sixties, a Cultural Awakening Re-evaluated 1965-1975". Organized by the California Afro-American Museum. Essays by Lizzetta
LeFalle-Collins, Curator; Cecil Fergerson, Contributor. 1989
- "Family Ties: Restoring Unity in the African American Family" by Colleen Birchett, Ph.D Urban Ministries Inc., 2006. "Workbook
for "Family Ties: Restoring Unity in the African American Family" written by Rev. Cheryl P. Clemetson, Ph.d. Evangeline Carey.
Edited by Kathryn Hall. 2006
- [DVD] "Protect Voting Rights: Renew the VRA" Leadership Conference on Civil Rights, 2005
- [DVD] "Matthew Kennedy: One Man's Journey" a film by Nina Kennedy; undated
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Education
Education, higher -- California
Race relations
Civil rights
California -- Politics and government -- 1951-
Reparations for historical injustices -- United States
Sheet-metal work
Los Angeles (Calif.)
National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Los Angeles Branch
California Teachers Association
United Teachers Los Angeles
National Education Association
Los Angeles (Calif.). Police Department
Series I: Personal Papers
1948-2010; undated
Physical Description: 1.96 Linear Feet
Scope and Contents
This series contains two sub-series. Sub-series A: Ernest Smith Personal Papers contains material belonging to Ernest and
is comprised of correspondence; event programs; music and ballet programs; material related to religion and church; and certificates
of appreciation. The majority of this sub-series is in regards to Ernest's education and includes diplomas, transcripts, and
teaching credentials. Sub-series B: Smith Family Personal Papers contains material belonging to Ernest's relatives including
two of his children, Lynetta and Cheryl; and includes wedding invitations; and commencement programs and invitations. Also
included in this sub-series are a dissertation and curriculum vitae belonging to Foraker Ulysses Smith.
Sub-Series A: Ernest Smith Personal Papers
1948-2010; undated
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains personal correspondence such as greeting cards; event programs; obituaries; material related to Ernest
Smith's education such as diplomas, transcripts, resume, and teaching credentials; certificates of appreciation that are not
related to his professional career; clippings about Smith; material related to religion and church; music and ballet programs;
and other documents.
box 1, folder 1
General Correspondence
1965-2005; undated
Scope and Contents
contains mostly birthday, anniversary, Christmas cards, and invitations.
box 20, folder 6
Information sent to Ernest Smith regarding apprenticeship education classes
December 1968
box 1, folder 2
Programs- obituaries, reunions, exhibits, and others
1952, 1980s, 2001, 2007
box 1, folder 3
Notes. Contains mostly names and addresses for various individuals and organizations
1997; undated
box 11
contact information
Scope and Contents
this box contains index cards with names and addresses for presumably Ernest Smith's associates, friends, and family.
box 1, folder 4
Red Cross blood donation certificate of appreciation; Washington DC Martin Luther King Jr. National Memorial Project Foundation,
Inc. Founder's Roll of Honor; Father of the Year award letter from Committee of Women for Good Government
1971, 2002, undated
box 8, folder 11
City of Los Angeles 60th birthday congratulatory certificate from Tom Bradley
December 14, 1989
box 1, folder 5
Great Wall of China excursion certificate and brochure
undated
box 8, folder 8
Programs- Bolshoi Ballet, Royal Danish Ballet, and Leningrad Kirov Ballet
1960-1966
box 8, folder 9
music programs- "Belafonte in Person"; and "the 5th Dimension"
1969; undated
box 1, folder 6
business and membership cards; name tags; pins; and ribbons
1960s-1970s, 2009; undated
box 1, folder 7
autograph book, "school-day memories of Thomas Jefferson High class of Prometheans"
1948
box 1, folder 8
embossed "E.Smith" hardcover notebook (blank)
undated
box 1, folder 9, box 12
clippings featuring Ernest Smith
undated
box 1, folder 10
resume and biography
1974; undated
box 1, folder 11
diplomas and certificates of completion- Thomas Jefferson High School
1948
Scope and Contents
The Thomas Jefferson High School diploma is located within a holder that also contains a graduation program and black-and-white
photographs of Smith's relatives.
box 1, folder 12
California State University Los Angeles- certificates of graduation, transcripts, Epsilon Pi Tau materials; UCLA extension
course certificate
1973-1975
box 1, folder 13
Pepperdine University- photocopies of diplomas, transcripts, notes, and other related material
1976-1978
box 20, folder 4
Pepperdine University and John Muir Junior High School- Course work, notes, and memorandums for Education 691: Educational
Leadership Processes, Education 671 and Education 673 in Field Work in Administration
1975-1978
box 1, folder 14
State of California Special Teaching Credential; Standard Designated Teaching Credential; other credential material; LA Valley
College and California State University Dominguez Hills transcripts
1974-1980
box 1, folder 15
Shenandoah Avenue Block Club documents
2000, 2006
box 1, folder 16
Bethel Missionary Baptist Church programs including program for grand entrance and dedicatory services
1980, 2009-2010
box 1, folder 17
material related to "Sanctuaries of Safety California-Pacific Annual Conference"; and safe sanctuaries policy and procedures,
Saint Mark United Methodist Church
2002-2005
box 1, folder 18
United Methodist Ministries- Los Angeles District board of trustees meeting agendas, reports, minutes, flyers, memorandums,
and other related documents
2003-2005
box 1, folder 19
Saint Mark United Methodist Church vacation bible school photographs and certificates of appreciation
1990, 1998, 2006, 2010
Sub-Series B: Smith Family Personal Papers
1974-1978, 1997
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains material belonging to Ernest's relatives. Material belonging to his daughters Lynetta and Cheryl
are comrprised of wedding invitations and other related documents; correspondence; and commencement programs and invitations.
Also included in this sub-series are a disseration and curriculum vitae belonging to Foraker Ulysses Smith, and a family reunion
t-shirt.
box 8, folder 4
Lynetta A. (Smith) McElroy- wedding invitations; thank you notes sent to Ernest and Mary Ann Smith; commencement programs
and invitations; article; and other related documents
1975-1987
box 8, folder 5
Cheryl (Smith) Vincent- wedding invitation; commencement programs and invitations; and diploma
1977-1979
box 8, folder 6
Foraker Ulysses Smith, "A Multidimensional Evaluation of Social Systems". A dissertation submitted in partial satisfaction
of the requirements for the degree Doctor of Philosophy in Urban Planning, University of California Los Angeles
1974
box 8, folder 7
Foraker U. Smith curriculum vitae
circa 1978
box 12
Dennis, McDonald, Tinkshell family reunion [t-shirt]
1997
Series II: Professional Materials
1930-2011; undated
Physical Description: 2.86 Linear Feet
Scope and Contents
This series is comprised of three sub-series.
Sub-series A: Sheet Metal Contracting contains documents and other material related to Ernest Smith's career as a sheet metal
contractor including documents regarding bonding and sheet metal contractor licensing and employment; Sheet Metal Workers'
Trust Fund and Sheet Metal Workers International Association material; and blueprints drafted by Smith while he was at Los
Angeles City College.
Sub-series B: Teaching and Education contains material from Ernest Smith's career as an industrial arts and social studies
teacher for Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD), as well as his various roles as part of California Teachers Association
(CTA), United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA), and the National Education Association (NEA); and other documents related to teaching
and education. Material in this sub-series includes: Smith's Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) personnel file; notes;
certificates; letters and other documents from when Smith taught at John Muir Junior High School; certificates of appreciation;
CTA, UTLA, NEA publications, reports, and ephemera; material related to University of California admissions data; information
regarding inclusion and public school curriculum; and information related to Brown vs. Board of Education.
Sub-series C: Activism and Politics contains material from Ernest Smith's time as a member of the Los Angeles Branch's Executive
Committee with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) where he also had a Life Membership;
and his various positions and interests in politics and activism. Material includes: NAACP mission statement; reports; meeting
minutes; Roy Wilkins Freedom Fund Awards dinner programs and invitations; convention programs; material related to the National
Reparations Congress including meeting minutes, documents related to H.R. 40 Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for
African American Act; and documents regarding the Brown University Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice. This sub-series
also contains material from Smith's time volunteering for former President Obama's 2008 presidential campaign; material from
Smith senate campaigns; documents from his time as a coordinator for Yvonne W. Brathwaite's California State Assembly campaign;
Zephyr Democratic Club documents; certificates; and other material.
Sub-series A: Sheet Metal Contracting
1950-1996; undated
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains material related to Ernest Smith's career as a sheet metal contractor. Included in this sub-series
are documents regarding bonding and sheet metal contractor licensing and employment; Sheet Metal Workers' Trust Fund and Sheet
Metal Workers International Association material; and blueprints drafted by Smith while he was at Los Angeles City College.
box 1, folder 20
Los Angeles City College Department of Engineering blueprints drafted by Ernest Smith
May-June 1960
box 1, folder 21
material related to Contractors State License Board, bonding, and sheet metal contractor licensing
1994-1996
box 1, folder 22
material related to Sheet Metal Workers' Trust Funds; Sheet Metal Workers' International Association Local Union No. 108;
Bates Air Conditioning Contractors, Inc.; apprenticeship certificate; and notes
1954, 1957, 1980s, 1995; undated
box 2, folder 1
catalog and manual related to sheet metal work
1966; undated
box 20, folder 5
Sheet Metal- blueprints, assignments, worksheets, study sheets, instructions, and apprenticeship manual
1950, 1964, 1965, 1967
box 2, folder 2
manuals and other documents related to heating and air-conditioning systems, ventilation, and electrical wiring
1950, 1957, 1960, 1964, undated
box 2, folder 3
"Problems in Engineering Drawing"; "Minute Layouts, Simplifies Complexities of Geometry" [manuals]
1953; undated
box 12
"Testimonial Dinner to Mike Quevedo Given by HOD Carriers, Building and Common Laborers Local 300, Alexandria Hotel Los Angeles"
[photograph]
September 17, 1959
Sub-series B: Teaching and Education
1930-2009; undated
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains material collected from Ernest Smith's career as an industrial arts and social studies teacher for
Los Angeles Unified School District, and also from United Teachers of Los Angeles (UTLA) including his time as an information
assistant and on the board of directors; and material generated from California Teachers Association (CTA), and the National
Education Association (NEA). Material in this sub-series includes: Smith's Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) personnel
file; notes; certificates; letters and other documents from when Smith taught at John Muir Junior High School; certificates
of appreciation; California Teachers Association (CTA); United Teachers Los Angeles (UTLA); and National Education Association
(NEA) publications, reports, ephemera, notes, and other material; material related to University of California admissions
data; information regarding inclusion and public school curriculum; and information related to Brown vs. Board of Education.
box 2, folder 4
Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) personnel file
1930, 1973-1987, 1995
box 2, folder 5
California Retired Teachers Association "portfolio of vital information"; social security booklet on retirement
undated
box 2, folder 6
John Muir Junior High School- notes, certificates of appreciation, letters, and personnel file
1971-1987
box 2, folder 7, box 12
certificates of appreciation- California Teachers Association (CTA),National Education Association (NEA), United Teachers
Los Angeles (UTLA), LAUSD
1981-1984; 1995; 2002-2010
box 2, folder 8
Programs- UTLA Black Education Committee 7th and 12th annual community conference; Black and Brown Unity Coalition of Los
Angeles; Where Black is Brown the African Diaspora in Mexico UTLA Black Caucus
April 1980; January 1985; February, April 2006
box 2, folder 9
"United Teacher", newspaper of United Teachers Los Angeles Vol. XIV, No. 5; Vol. XVI, No.7; [unknown volumes and issue numbers]
November 8, 1982; December 10, 1984; October 7, 1994; March 21, 2003
Scope and Contents
Vol. XVI, No. 7 and article from unknown issue are both missing pages.
box 2, folder 10
UTLA South Area election material for board of directors position; notice of chapter chair election [blank form]
1983; 2005-2006
box 2, folder 11
UTLA retirement dinner dance program; and retirement card
June 17, 1995
box 2, folder 12
material related to United Teachers of Los Angeles Race Matters Forum and education consultant Noma LeMoine
January 6, 2005; September 2005
box 2, folder 13
UTLA and African American Education Committee Twenty-Sixth Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Scholarship Awards
Dinner program
April 27, 2006
box 19, folder 5
UTLA Taskforce- memorandums; proposals; reports; notes; emails
2003; 2007
box 2, folder 14
photograph of UTLA members
undated
box 12
Road Atlas of United States, Mexico, and Canada in an embossed UTLA folder
1985
box 3, folder 1
CTA, UTLA- embossed folders
undated
box 3, folder 2
CTA, UTLA- ribbon and luggage tag
undated
box 3, folder 3
CTA and UTLA related notes and contact information
2008; undated
box 12
UTLA- African American Educators [tote-bag]
undated
box 3, folder 4
"Ethnic Minority Affairs Committee" year-end report the CTA board of directors
June 2007
box 3, folder 5
California Teachers Association- "A Guide to CTA's Human Rights and Community Outreach Program and Services" [booklet]
2009
box 3, folder 6
California Teachers Association- material related to CTA/NEA legislative contact program; member expense statements (blank)
2010
box 3, folder 7
California Teachers Association community outreach department folder. Folder contains flyers regarding 40th anniversary of
Voting Rights Act of 1965
undated
box 19, folder 7
CTA- Political Involvement Committee (PIC)
2007
Scope and Contents
Includes: 2007 Sponsored Legislation; select bill list; Report to the Treasurer; proposed NEA amendments; agenda; copy of
Assembly Bill No. 583; Term Limits and Legislative Reform Act; ballot measure chart; political report; and other documents.
box 19, folder 8
CTA "2007-2008 CTA/NEA Legislative Contact Program" (removed from binder)
2007
box 19, folder 1
CTA- general file
May 2001; February 2006
Scope and Contents
CTA State Council Election results 2001; "California Educator" Vol. 10, Issue 5
box 3, folder 8
National Education Association (NEA) publications- NEA Today; RA Today; "Reports on Implementation of Actions of the 2002
Representative Assembly"; and others
July 1994; July 2001; July 2003; July 2004; 2009
box 3, folder 9
NEA Representative Assembly- new business motions regarding H.R. 40; inclusion of African American contributions in public
school curriculum; and others
2000-2004
box 3, folder 10
NEA- folder, booklet regarding NEA-ATA merger, NEA Human and Civil Rights Awards Dinner ticket
2008; undated
box 3, folder 11
NEA Executive Committee Study Group reports on ethnic minority concerns
undated
box 19, folder 3
NEA- "Focus" reprint; Minority Community Outreach packet; "Against Use of Barrier Test" document
2004, 2007; circa 2000s
box 19, folder 4
NEA California Caucus
July 2007
Scope and Contents
Includes "Resolutions, Legislative Program, Policy Statements, and New Business"; 2006-2008 Strategic Plan and Budget; ESEA
Advisory Committee Report; Advancing NEA"s Legislative Program; "Welcome 2007 California Delegates" packet; postcard.
box 3, folder 12
"Motions/Resolutions Presented to the Los Angeles city of Board of Education for Consideration"
January 10, 2006
box 3, folder 13
LAUSD- Small Business Advisory Council agenda; Board of Directors Financing Meeting order of business
September 13, 1999; January 10, 2006
box 4, folder 1
Material related to LAUSD's Action Plan for a Culturally Relevant Education that Benefits African American Students and All
Other Students
2003-2004
box 4, folder 2
LAUSD- Monitoring Report No. 2, "Monitoring the Blueprint for Implementing the Action Plan for a Culturally Relevant Education
That Benefits African American Students and All Other Students", Floraline I. Stevens and Associates
April 2004
box 4, folder 3
LAUSD, "Closing the Achievement Gap. Improving Education Outcomes for Under Achieving Students"
2004
box 4, folder 4
LAUSD- NCLB review process team training manual
circa 2005
box 19, folder 6
LAUSD "Learning Styles of Standard English Learners" (packet)
2007
box 4, folder 5
LAUSD purchasing branch vendor handbook
undated
box 4, folder 6
Black Leadership Coalition on Education (BLCE) Position Paper on Low Achievement of the African-American Learner
March 20, 1989
box 4, folder 7
articles and emails regarding minority scholarship opportunities
2000, 2003, 2009
box 4, folder 8
Forum on Education and the African American Student, Sacramento City College. Presented by "The Sacramento Area Coalition
for Educational Change for African American Students"
May 29, 2004
box 4, folder 9
career and college planning packet with brochures and one-sheets
circa 2005
box 4, folder 10-11
material related to University of California admissions process, enrollment, and Alliance for Equal Opportunity in Education
(2 folders)
2006-2008
box 4, folder 12
UC Berkeley- material related to applicants, outreach, recruitment, and marketing
2006-2007
box 4, folder 13
"African American Educational Opportunity Report", UC ACCORD and UCLA IDEA
November 2007
box 4, folder 14
material related to resolution regarding "inclusion of African American contributions in all relevant curriculum in public
schools"
1996-2001; undated
box 4, folder 15
information regarding inclusion of African American, Latinos, Native Americans, and Asian Americans in public school curriculum
1996; 1999; March-April 2004
box 4, folder 16
material related to Brown vs. Board of Education- articles, pamphlets, and 50th anniversary commemorative material
2000, 2003-2005
box 18, folder 1
UTLA, LAUSD, NEA, and other education related buttons
2000, 2004, 2007; undated
Sub-series C: Activism and Politics
1960-2011; undated
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains material from Ernest Smith's time as a member of the Los Angeles Branch's Executive Committee with
the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) where he also had a Life Membership, and his various
positions and interests in politics and activism. Material includes: NAACP mission statement; reports; meeting minutes; Roy
Wilkins Freedom Fund Awards dinner programs and invitations; convention programs; material related to the National Reparations
Congress including meeting minutes; documents related to H.R. 40, Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African American
Act; and documents regarding the Brown University Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice. This sub-series also contains
material from Smith's time volunteering for former President Obama's 2008 presidential campaign; material from Smith senate
campaigns; documents from his time as a coordinator for Yvonne W. Brathwaite's California State Assembly campaign; Zephyr
Democratic Club documents; certificates; and other material.
box 5, folder 1
NAACP- mission statement; action alert regarding naming of new capitol visitors center after Strom Thurmond; constitution
and by-laws; leadership, strategic goals, and resolutions; class action compliant NAACP v Ameriquest Mortgage Company
1996, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2007, undated
box 5, folder 2
NAACP, "Manual on Branch Election Procedure"
1998, 2000, undated
box 5, folder 3
NAACP- Los Angeles branch planning meeting documents; press releases; executive committee meeting documents; newsletters;
flyers; notes; and other material
2003, 2005-2006, 2009
box 5, folder 4
NAACP- material related to voter fund, and political action committee
2002, 2003, 2004, 2006
box 5, folder 5
NAACP- criminal justice manual; executive leadership mandatory certification training project; CA-NAACP website user guide
2002; undated
box 5, folder 6
NAACP- town hall meeting "Reparations and Prop. 54 Awareness" including pamphlets, flyers, notes, and other material
2003
box 5, folder 7
NAACP- material sent to Geraldine Washington regarding AB 583 "The California Clean Money and Fair Elections Bill"
January 3, 2005
box 5, folder 8
articles and documents regarding Leon Jenkins and a Department of Real Estate hearing; letter from Jenkins to Dr. Geraldine
Washington
2006-2007
box 5, folder 9
NAACP- Roy Wilkins Freedom Fund Awards Dinner program and invitation
2002, 2004, 2005
box 5, folder 10
NAACP- Annual Roy Wilkins Freedom Fund Awards Dinner program, invitation, material related to Smith's volunteer of the year
award, and other material
June 26, 2003
box 5, folder 11
NAACP- Roy Wilkins Freedom Fund Awards Gala, "Remembering the Legacy of Rosa Parks" scripts, programs, and correspondence
2005-2006
box 5, folder 12
NAACP- International Visitor Leadership Program documents regarding potential meeting at NAACP office
August 2007
box 6, folder 1
NAACP- Roy Wilkins Freedom Fund Awards Gala agenda, program, and invitation
2009-2010
box 6, folder 2
NAACP- Centennial Convention program, delegate's handbook, and magazine
2009
box 6, folder 3
NAACP- 101st Annual Convention delegates reception ticket; 102nd Annual Convention program
2010-2011
box 6, folder 4
NAACP- ACT-SO 32nd Annual Awards Ceremony program
July 8-12, 2010
box 19, folder 2
NAACP
The Crisis Vol. 113, No. 5; Vol. 114, No. 3
September/October 2006; May/June 2007
box 6, folder 5
International Visitor Leadership Program- documents regarding potential meeting at NAACP office
August 2007
box 20, folder 3
California Negro Leadership Conference programs
1962, 1963, 1965
Scope and Contents
Folder includes "The Invisible Americans" by Ben H. Bagdikian (reprint) from
The Saturday Evening Post
box 6, folder 6
articles and other documents related to H.R. 40, Commission to Study Reparation Proposals for African Americans Act
1997, 2000-2002, 2006-2007; undated
box 6, folder 7
National Reparations Congress- meeting agendas, programs, meeting minutes, press releases, and other material
July-August 2004
box 6, folder 8
"Slavery and Justice" report of the Brown University Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice (two copies)
undated
box 6, folder 9
"Response of Brown University to the Report of the Steering Committee on Slavery and Justice"; and articles about the committee
2004, February 2007
box 20, folder 7
Activism/Civil Rights- general file
1966; circa 1960s
Scope and Contents
Folder includes material related to the United Civil Rights Council (minutes, history of UCRC brochure); Negro Trade Union
Council press release (Smith was acting Secretary)
box 7, folder 1
material related to voting and voter registration including statistics, flyers, articles, and minority candidate endorsements
1960, 1963-1964, 2001
box 7, folder 2
Letters from Robert Farrell, Tom Bradley, George McGovern, and Edmund G. Brown to Smith regarding various political campaigns
he supported
1961, 1963, 1966, 1972, 1975
box 19, folder 11
Tom Bradley material- holiday card; celebration gala invitation; mailer; Tom Bradley for Mayor memorandums "63rd Assembly
District Precinct Operation and General Election"; "Bradley for Mayor Precinct Volunteers" sheet; voting card; blank letterhead
1959, 1969, 1973-1974, 1977; undated
box 7, folder 3
Committee for Representative Government- articles of incorporation, constitutional by-laws, and correspondence
August 1963; undated
box 7, folder 4
California Legislature Assembly- correspondence; California State Seal; Assembly Bills 3 and 76; document entitled "New Assembly
and Board of Equalization Districts"; notes
1963-1990; 2001
box 7, folder 5
Proceedings of the Electors of President and Vice President of the United States of America for the State of California held
at the State Capitol City of Sacramento State of California
December 14, 1964
box 19, folder 9
Zephyr Democratic Club- constitution, envelope, meeting agendas, memorandums, clippings, issues of "Zephr Blows", membership
roster, and letter from Robert C. Farrell
1965, 1974, undated
box 19, folder 10
California Democractic Council- dinner committee list; agenda for event honoring Tom Bradley; "Vote CDC Slate" card; "Resolution
Concerning Settlement of Conflict in Vietnam"
1965; undated
box 7, folder 7
Yvonne W. Brathwaite Campaign
1966-1971, 1977, 1992
box 7, folder 8
"California Legislature at Sacramento. Biographies and Photographs of Senate and Assembly Members and Officers. List of Senate
and Assembly Members, Officers, Attaches, Committees, and Rules of the Two Houses"
1967, 1969, 1971, 1975
box 19, folder 9
election and poltical related material- general file
1966, 1969-1976; undated
Scope and Contents
Includes "California Senate" (pamphlet); letter and documents regarding district information sent from Alan G. Rosin (Senate
Committee on Elections and Reapportionment) to Smith; 61st Assembly notes; Los Angeles Municipal Election voting card;
"every vote counts, register now" (sticker); letters; press releases; and certificate from Councilman Robert Farrell to Smith;
sample ballot 1968; articles; 31st congressional district map; 1976 California Democratic Party delegate selection; 1966 campaign
folder.
box 20, folder 1
California delegation to the Democratic National Convention- letter and certificate; consolidated primary election "certified
list"; folder; badge; convention guide and information; national platform program; sticker; key; and other related material
June 6, 27, 1972
box 7, folder 8
certificates- Smithsonian Construction Contribution; LA Voter Education Project; service to the City of Los Angeles; California
State Senate; California Legislature Senate (letter only)
1971, 1976, 1977; 1989; undated
box 12
Flyers, pamphlets, press releases, memorandums, drafts, notes, budget information, and oversized banner regarding Smith's
senate campaigns for 30th and 31st senatorial districts
1972, 1978; undated
Scope and Contents
For photographs regarding Smith's campaigns see Box 13.
box 7, folder 13
Los Angeles County Democratic Central Committee Democrat of the Year certificate, and congratulatory letter from Julian C.
Dixon
May 1981
box 7, folder 14
"The Capitol: A Pictorial History of the Capitol and of the Congress". 7th Edition. Sent to Smith by Julian Dixon
circa 1982
box 19, folder 12
Los Angeles Times articles about Jesse Jackson
May-June 1984
box 7, folder 15
U.S. House of Representatives- visitor's passes, letter from Charles H. Wilson regarding Ambassador Adlai E. Stevenson; Congressional
Record Vol. 136, No. 83; DNC contributing member mailer
1990; 1993; undated
box 7, folder 16
President Clinton and Democratic National Committee commemorative prints and certificates; and postcards from Al Gore campaign
1995-1997; 2000-2001
box 7, folder 17
California Legislative Black Caucus Annual Symposium Folder. Folder contains CLBC history and roster; Brown University admissions
information; articles regarding most powerful Black Executives and global influentials (Forbes Magazine, Time Magazine); PIC
Committee Directory; and other documents. File folder also includes "The State of Black California" report
2002, 2003, 2006; circa 2006
box 7, folder 18
email with subject line "A Great Lesson in Bourgeois 'Democracy'- What Went Wrong in Ohio"
January 2005
box 7, folder 19, box 8, folder 10, box 12
material related to President Obama's 2008 presidential campaign including flyers; stickers; fundraising and campaign documents;
notes; calendar; posters; and correspondence
2007-2009
box 7, folder 20
Citizens for Redistricting Commission- notes and correspondence
2010; undated
box 12
L.A. Union "One by One by One" [t-shirt]
undated
box 18, folder 1-3
buttons related to politics, activism, and political campaigns
circa 1970s-2000s
Scope and Contents
Includes buttons such as: Goodlett for Governor; Holden for Congress; Johnson/Humphrey; Yvonne Brathwaite Burke for Supervisor;
Fred Harris for President; Bradley for Governor; Shirley Chisholm for President; McGovern; Jessie Jackson; and others.
Series III: Subject Files
1963-2010; undated
Physical Description: 1.04 Linear Feet
Scope and Contents
This series contains reports; journal issues and articles; clippings; essays; fact sheets; flyers; and other material related
to education, race, civil rights, activism, and poverty. Some topics covered in this series include African Americans and
politics; Hurricane Katrina and the reconstruction of New Orleans; immigration; and other related subjects. Material in this
series is organized chronologically.
box 8, folder 1
Los Angeles City Schools- "Art K-2: An Instructional Guide", "Enjoying Pictures"
1961; undated
box 8, folder 2
"Report on Mississippi" by the Mississippi Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights
January 1963
box 8, folder 3
Sacramento Bee article entitled "LA Assemblyman Ferrell Legislates on Weekdays, Preaches Weekends"
March 7, 1963
box 9, folder 1
President's Commission on the Status of Women "Report on the Committee on Civil and Political Rights"; and "Report on Four
Consultations"
August, October 1963
box 9, folder 2
5th and 6th Annual California Negro Leadership Conference programs
1963; 1965
box 8, folder 12
"Negro Women Workers in 1960". U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Bulletin 287
1964
box 9, folder 3
"News and Views at Fifty-Ninth" Vol. 1, No. 1
June 1966
box 9, folder 4
"Report of the National Advisory Commission on Civil Disorders"
March 1968
box 9, folder 5
"The Black Man in American Politics: A Course Outline". Published by Center on Urban and Minority Affairs
August 1, 1969
box 9, folder 6
"The Black Politician, A Journal of Current Political Thought" Vol. 1, No.4; Vol. 2, No. 1
Spring, Summer 1970
box 9, folder 7
"Black Law Journal", Vol. 1, No. 1-2
Spring, Summer 1971
box 9, folder 8
The Joint Center for Political Studies' Guide to Black Politics 72. Part I. The Democratic National Convention
June 26, 1972
box 20, folder 10
Civil Rights- subject file
1976, 1985, 2004-2006
Scope and Contents
Includes 60th Anniversary Tribute Mendez vs. Westiminster program; email regarding John Kerry endorsing reparations. Email
includes document "a Letter to the Chancellor of Germany" American Jewish Committee; poem "The Strong Black Woman Has Died"
sent via PAOC-USA listserv; email regarding W.E.B. Du Bois; obituaries for Paul Robeson and Pedro Tijerina; California Afro-American
Museum membership card and event flyer. Box 12:
Los Angeles Sentinel December 22, 1960;
Los Angeles Herald-Examiner June 21, 1963 [very poor condition, contact archives prior to viewing] "A" sections, only.
box 9, folder 9
"The Hastings Community", Vol. XXIV, No. 1
Winter 1979
box 9, folder 10
The Grantsmanship Center "Program Planning and Proposal Writing"; California Student Aid Commission document regarding Cal
Grants
1974, 1978, 1979, 1980, undated
box 9, folder 11
"Fact Sheets on Institutional Racism". Compiled by the Council on Interracial Books for Children
January 1982
box 9, folder 12
articles, essays, and clippings regarding education and teaching
1983, 2000, 2004, undated
box 9, folder 13
"Black Dispatches, Black American Contributions to Union Intelligence During the Civil War"
Winter 1998-1999
box 9, folder 14
"Promising Initiatives to Improve Education in Your Community: A Guide to Selected U.S. Department of Education Grant Programs
and Funding Opportunities"
2000
box 9, folder 15
Service Employees International Union (SEIU) packet containing press releases, fact sheets, brochures, magazines, and other
documents
June-August 2001
box 9, folder 16
"African American Yearbook: A Unique Resource and Referral Guide for and About African-Americans, 2nd edition"
2002
box 10, folder 1
African American Collaborative [draft]
2003
box 20, folder 9
Affirmative Action- subject file
March 2003; undated
Scope and Contents
Notecards for speech presumably by Smith; article "Lessons From Affirmative Action's Past"
Los Angeles Times
box 10, folder 2
"Color of Money: 2003. Campaign Contributions, Race, Ethnicity, and Neighborhood". Public Campaign, the Fannie Lou Hamer Project,
and the William C. Velasquez Institute
December 2003
box 10, folder 3
article entitled "The Special Challenge of Proposition 13"
October 24, 2004
box 10, folder 4
email regarding "USA Today article on black spending"
March 3, 2005
box 10, folder 5
Tennessee State Board of Education- material regarding African American History Curriculum
October 21, 2005
box 10, folder 6
articles related to Hurricane Katrina Bill, HR 4197; and reconstructing New Orleans
November 2005
box 10, folder 7
"The State of Black Los Angeles", Los Angeles Urban League
2005
box 10, folder 8
email and transcript of an interview regarding immigration
April 2006
box 10, folder 9
"African American Yearbook. The Resource and Referral Guide for and about African Americans, 9th Edition"
2009-2010
box 10, folder 11
pamphlet regarding African American voting history (cover missing)
undated
box 10, folder 12
UCLA Interdepartmental Program in Afro-American Studies informational brochures
undated
box 10, folder 13
marketing materials for UCLA early academic outreach program; and welcome package
undated
box 10, folder 14
essay entitled "White Man what Do You Know About the Negro? Negro What Do You Know About Yourself? by Marion Hill
undated
box 10, folder 15
UCLA marketing material and brochures- Ralph J. Bunche Center for African American Studies; campus map; Sunset Village brochure
undated
box 10, folder 16
United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission- Los Angeles District office promotional material
undated
box 10, folder 17
"African Americans in Los Angeles: Prospects for the 21st Century", edited by J. Eugene Grigsby III
undated
box 10, folder 18
"McDonald's Salute to Black Inventors. Communication." Black Science Activity Books, Learning Activities (photocopy)
undated
box 20, folder 8
Unions- subject file
undated
Scope and Contents
Brochures for United Association Local Union 250; League of Women Voters of Los Angeles; clipping "Few Blacks Hold Big-Salary
Jobs" National Union Survey
Series IV: Photographs and A/V Material
circa 1930s-2000s; undated
Physical Description: 5.21 Linear Feet
Scope and Contents
This series is comprised of two sub-series.
Sub-Series A: Photographs contains photographs, color slides, and negatives featuring the Smith family and their friends at
various events and celebrations such as holidays; graduations; funerals; birthdays; and others. Also included are headshots
of the Smith family; and images taken at Ernest's campaign fundraising events; images taken at CTA and NEA events; and images
taken at the 1972 Democratic National Convention.
Sub-series B: A/V Material contains six Scotch Magentic Tape reel-to-reel tapes with unknown contents. Two are labeled, "Blank
1 + 2" and "spliced (blank)".
Sub-Series A: Photographs
circa 1930s-2000s
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains five boxes of photographs, color slides, and negatives featuring the Smith family and their friends
at various events and celebrations such as holidays; graduations; funerals; birthdays; and others. Also included are headshots
of the Smith family; and images taken at Ernest's campaign fundraising events; images taken at CTA and NEA events; and images
taken at the 1972 Democratic National Convention.
box 13
Photographs
circa 1940s-2000s
Scope and Contents
This box contains photographs of Smith family and friends; weddings; graduations; dinners; holidays; California Teachers Association
events; campaign fundraiser events; photos related to Ernest Smith's state senate race; Nate Holden campaign; images taken
at the 1972 Democratic National Convention; and others.
box 14
Photographs
circa 1960s-1970s; 2000s
Scope and Contents
This box contains images taken possibly in Louisiana; photographs of churches; San Francisco; family; friends; possible industrial
arts classes; parties; Cheryl Smith Vincent's wedding; CTA convention; NEA events; Ernest's 75th and 80th birthday celebrations;
grandchildren (McElroys); Ernest's sister Brenda Smith Buahi; Foraker Smith; images taken at Ernest's Father of the Year award
ceremony; elementary school events; and Lynetta A. Smith McElroy's University of Irvine graduation pictures.
box 15
Photographs, Slides, and Negatives
circa 1970s-2000s
Scope and Contents
This box contains images related to Obama's Presidential campaign; elementary school events; CTA events; funerals; school
class photos; holidays; Ernest's Pepperdine graduation; images taken at the Democratic National Convention; and others.
box 16
Photographs
circa 1960s-2000s
Scope and Contents
This box contains images of graduations including one from Morehouse College; images of family; friends; vacation; Christmas;
birthdays; and headshots of the Smith family.
box 17
Photographs
circa 1930s-1960s
Scope and Contents
This box contains images of family; friends; children. Also included is an article from 1966 regarding the death of Ernest's
wife, Eleanor Ruth Smith; and photographs from the 1972 Democratic Convention.
box 12
oversized photographs
2010; undated
Physical Description: 4 Photographic Prints
Scope and Contents
two portrait style photographs; one image of a flower; and one image of what looks like either a barn or warehouse.
Sub-Series B: A/V Material
undated
Scope and Contents
This sub-series contains six Scotch Magentic Tape reel-to-reel tapes with unknown contents. Two are labeled, "Blank 1 + 2"
and "spliced (blank)".
box 10, folder 19-21
Scotch Magnetic Tape reel-to-reel. "Blank 1 +2"; "spliced (blank)"; four unlabeled
undated
