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Alfred Woods papers

Descriptive Summary

Title
Alfred Woods papers
Identifier
BMRC.HARSH.WOODS
Repository
Chicago Public Library, Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection, Woodson Regional library
Language
English
Size
31.5 Linear feet
Predominant Dates
Bulk, 1985-1995
Dates
1944-2002, bulk 1985-1995
Abstract
Alfred Lloyd Woods was born February 29, 1944 in Pell City, Alabama to Willie Lloyd Woods and Mary Louis Wrencher Woods. He earned his Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Library Information Science from the University of Illinois. Following his graduation in 1972, he worked in the Chicago Public Library in multiple positions. Woods also worked as Executive Director of the South Side Community Art Center and the Illinois Library Association. Woods is an author and teacher of creative writing. His most well-known work is the collection of poetry, "Manish!" The Alfred Woods papers spans from 1944 to 2002 with the bulk of material from 1985 to 1995.
Language of Materials note
Materials entirely in English.

Arrangement note

Alfred Woods papers are arranged into six series, three of which have been further arranged in subseries. The series and subseries arrangment of the records is as follows:

Series 1. Alfred Woods biographical,1944-1997, undated Subseries 1. Biographical material,1944-1997, undated Subseries 2., Church involvement, 1988-1996, undated

Series 2. Employment History,1961-1997, undated Subseries 1. Prospective employment, 1968-1992, undated Subseries 2. Art grants and materials,1961-1995, undated Subseries 3. Professional organizations, 1977-1997, undated Subseries 4. Consulting work,1983-1992, undated Subseries 5. Teaching documents,1990-1996, undated

Series 3. Manuscripts,1961-1998, undated Subseries 1. Authored by Woods, 1961-1998, undated Subseries 2. Authored by others, 1977-1990, undated

Series 4. Correspondence, 1969-1998, undated

Series 5. Audio/visual material, 1995, undated

Series 6. Photographs, 1985-2002, undated

Biogrpahical note

Alfred Lloyd Woods was born February 29, 1944 in Pell City, Alabama to Willie Lloyd Woods and Mary Louis Wrencher Woods. He has one sister, Billy Jean Woods Kelly. Woods joined the Air Force in 1964 and served until he was granted an honorable discharge in 1968.

Alfred Woods attended San Antonio College, University of Mississippi, Roosevelt University, Loop Junior College, and Morehouse College before earning his Bachelor of Arts from University of Illinois, Chicago in 1971. As a student Woods was awarded a Carnegie Institute fellowship and was a member of the Veterans Honor Society. He received his Masters of Library Information Science in 1972 from University of Illinois.

From 1968 to 1980, Woods worked in many Chicago libraries, beginning as an Assistant Librarian and Public Services Supervisor of the Main Reading Room at the Newberry Library. In 1972, he began work in the Chicago Public Library system and held positions as an Assistant Curator of African-America, television producer, branch librarian, and Chief of Acquisitions. In 1978, Woods served as Executive Director/Secretary for the Illinois Library Association. From 1980 to 1985, Woods worked as the Executive Director for the South Shore Cultural Center. In 1986, Woods was employed as a consultant and fine arts representative at Cousins and Associates. Wood also worked as a freelance consultant for the Art Institute of Chicago, the Museum of Science and Industry, and Chicago Office of Fine Arts.

In addition to his work in libraries, Woods also worked as a teacher. He taught at the University of Illinois-Champaign’s Upward Bound program. Beginning in the summer of 1990, Woods taught creative writing at Truman College in the Adult and Continuing Education Program. In the 1990s, along with Robert Glover, he created the God’s Little Acre Artist Collective to support and promote Chicago area artists. Alfred Woods is a Chicago writer whose works have appeared in literary and professional publications including "Black World," "Format," "Nit & Wit," "Rhino" and "Inprint." His volumes of poetry include "Manish!," "Be Born Again," and "Winter Only Last All Day."

He is a member of the Black Writers Conference International, Illinois Writers’ Incorporated and poets and Writers, Illinois Arts Alliance, American Library Association, and Illinois Library Association.

Scope and Contents note

The Alfred Woods papers spans from 1944 to 2002 with the bulk of material from 1985 to 1995. Documents include drafts and manuscripts of writings by Woods, teaching materials, administrative records, correspondence, and numerous grant applications submitted by Woods. While Woods’s career as a librarian in Chicago is not well represented, his interest and participation in African American art and his writings are. Of note is an interview Woods conducted with Gwendolyn Brooks.

Related Archival Materials note

American Library Association Archives, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Gwendolyn Brooks Papers, University of California Berkeley Bancroft Library

South Shore Community Records, Chicago Public Library Special Collections and Preservation Division, Neighborhood Research History Collection

Processing Information note

Processed by CLIR funded Black Metropolis Research Consortium “Color Curtain Processing Project.” Processors: Beth Loch and Elise Zerega

Conditions Governing Use note

None

Preferred Citation note

When quoting material from this collection the preferred citation is: Alfred Woods papers [Box #, Folder #], Vivian G. Harsh Research Collection of Afro-American History and Literature, Chicago Public Library.

Conditions Governing Access note

The collection is open for research use.

Indexed Terms

Inventory

Series I. Alfred Woods biographical,
1944-1997, undated
Scope and Contents note

This series contains Alfred Woods’ biographical information.

Arrangement note

The Alfred Woods biographical series is arranged in two subseries as follows:

Subseries 1. Biographical material,1944-1997, undated Subseries 2., Church involvement, 1988-1996, undated

Subseries 1. Biographical Material,
1944-1997, undated
Arrangement note

The Biographical material subseries is arranged alphabetically by subject.

Scope and Contents note

The Biographical material subseries is comprised of personal material relating to Alfred Woods, such as handwritten notes and materials from his time as a student.

Box 1
Title
“About the Author,” Woods short biographical statement,
Dates
undated
Box 1
Title
Air Force application and identification,
Dates
1962-1969
Box 1
Title
Baptism certificate,
Dates
1960
Box 1
Title
Billie Jean Woods report card,
Dates
1951
Box 1
Title
Birth certificate,
Dates
1944
Box 1
Title
Budget notes,
Dates
1983, 1985
Box 1
Title
End of year report, Woods life plan,
Dates
1987, undated
Box 1
Title
Financial documents, health insurance and building rental,
Dates
1973, 1976-1982
Box 1
Title
Handwritten notes and lists of names,
Dates
undated
Box 1
Title
Health care information packet,
Dates
undated
Box 1
Title
Humanities signed by Gwendolyn Brooks,
Dates
1994
Box 1
Title
Individuals’ contract information and notes,
Dates
undated
Box 1
Title
“Life Plan 1988: Alfred L. Woods,”
Dates
1988, undated
Box 1
Title
List of Chicago’s African American literary heritage, includes Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 1
Title
Newspaper articles about Alfred Woods,
Dates
1978-1997, undated
Box 1
Title
Personal notebook of Alfred Woods,
Dates
1997
Box 1
Title
Personal notebook of Alfred Woods with professional notes,
Dates
1997
Box 1
Title
Personal receipts of Woods,
Dates
1989
Box 1
Title
Press releases on Alfred Woods’s writings,
Dates
1989, undated
Box 1
Title
Student essays of Woods,
Dates
1970, undated
Box 1
Title
Student identification cards,
Dates
undated
Box 1
Title
Student lecture notes,
Dates
circa 1960s
Box 1
Title
“Things to do today” lists,
Dates
1991-1994, undated
Box 1
Title
“Who’s Who in U.S. Writers, Editors, & Poets” materials,
Dates
1987-1988, undated
Subseries 2. Church involvement,
1988-1996, undated
Arrangement note

The Church involvement subseries is arranged alphabetically by subject.

Scope and Contents note

Materials relating to Alfred Woods’s involvement with the Christ Universal Temple and other religious organizations can be found in this series. The bulk of this series is related to the “Taste of Christ Universal Complex” event that Woods helped organize as a member of Men of Christ Universal Temple.

Box 1
Title
Correspondence, religious institutions’ inquiries regarding fundraising,
Dates
1989-1990
Box 1
Title
Correspondence, Reverend Johnnie Coleman,
Dates
1989
Box 2
Title
Men of Christ Universal Temple events and programming,
Dates
1989, undated
Box 2
Title
Men of Christ Universal Temple materials,
Dates
1989-1996
Box 2
Title
Men of Christ Universal Temple Rita Warford showcase,
Dates
1990
Box 2
Title
Poetry reading at Cosmopolitan Community Church,
Dates
undated
Box 2
Title
Taste of Christ Universal Complex event materials,
Dates
1988-1989
Box 2
Title
Taste of Christ Universal Complex event materials,
Dates
1988, undated
Box 2
Title
Taste of Christ Universal Complex event materials,
Dates
1989
Box 2
Title
Taste of Christ Universal Complex event materials,
Dates
1989
Box 2
Title
Taste of Christ Universal Complex event materials,
Dates
1989
Box 2
Title
Taste of Christ Universal Complex event materials,
Dates
1989
Box 2
Title
Taste of Christ Universal Complex event materials,
Dates
1989
Box 3
Title
Taste of Christ Universal Complex event materials,
Dates
1989
Box 3
Title
Taste of Christ Universal Complex event materials,
Dates
1989
Box 3
Title
Taste of Christ Universal Complex event materials,
Dates
1989, undated
Box 3
Title
Taste of Christ Universal Complex event materials,
Dates
1989, undated
Box 3
Title
Taste of Christ Universal Complex event materials,
Dates
undated
Box 3
Title
Youth Expressing Christ program materials,
Dates
1992-1995, undated
Box 3
Title
Youth Expressing Christ program materials,
Dates
1995, undated
Series II. Employment history,
1961-1997, undated
Scope and Contents note

The Employment history series includes Alfred Woods’ employment records and supporting documentation.

Arrangement note

The Employment history series is arranged in five subseries as follows:

Subseries 1. Prospective employment, 1968-1992, undated Subseries 2. Art grants and materials,1961-1995, undated Subseries 3. Professional organizations, 1977-1997, undated Subseries 4. Consulting work,1983-1992, undated Subseries 5. Teaching documents,1990-1996, undated

Subseries 1. Prospective employment,
1968-1992, undated
Arrangement note

The Prospective employment subseries is arranged alphabetically.

Scope and Contents note

The Prospective employment subseries contains materials that relate to Woods’s general job searches throughout his career. It consists of his business and identification cards, reports, applications, addresses, messages, statements, and resumes. It is organized alphabetically.

Box 4
Title
Business cards,
Dates
undated
Box 4
Title
Employment identification cards,
Dates
1968-1976
Box 4
Title
End of the year reports,
Dates
1991-1992
Box 4
Title
Job opportunities and application materials,
Dates
1986, 1990, undated
Box 4
Title
List of addresses,
Dates
undated
Box 4
Title
Phone messages,
Dates
undated
Box 4
Title
Professional placement applications,
Dates
1980-1990
Box 4
Title
Purpose statements and professional goals,
Dates
1987, undated
Box 4
Title
Resumes, 1 of 2,
Dates
undated
Box 4
Title
Resumes, 2 of 2,
Dates
undated
Subseries 2. Arts grants and materials,
1961-1995, undated
Arrangement note

The Arts grants and materials subseries is arranged in alphabetical order by subject.

Scope and Contents note

The Arts grants and materials subseries documents relating to Woods’s involvement in African American art and with Chicago artists are included in this series. Grant applications written by and/or for Woods as well as on behalf of other organizations including grants for various exhibits Woods helped create are included.

Box 4
Title
African American art clippings,
Dates
1986
Box 4
Title
African American art bibliographies,
Dates
1985, undated
Box 4
Title
Art auction flier,
Dates
undated
Box 4
Title
Arts Council newsletter,
Dates
1988
Box 4
Title
Art event programs,
Dates
1989
Box 4
Title
Articles, Gwendolyn Brooks,
Dates
1988-1990, undated
Box 4
Title
Articles, Margaret Burroughs,
Dates
1991, undated
Box 4
Title
Articles, Carla Hayden,
Dates
1990-1991
Box 4
Title
Banquet information, The Annex,
Dates
undated
Box 4
Title
Black on Black Love grant applications,
Dates
1985-1988
Box 4
Title
Black on Black Love grant applications,
Dates
1986-1988
Box 5
Title
“Black Creativity” advisory committee,
Dates
1983-1985, undated
Box 5
Title
“Black Creativity” article,
Dates
1985
Box 5
Title
“Black Creativity” exhibit,
Dates
1984-1985, undated
Box 5
Title
“Black Creativity” exhibit program,
Dates
1991
Box 5
Title
“Black Creativity” exhibit programming,
Dates
1983-1984, undated
Box 5
Title
“Black Creativity” funding,
Dates
1986
Box 5
Title
“Black Creativity” press releases and planning documents,
Dates
1985-1986, undated
Box 5
Title
Black Labor History slideshow drafts and correspondence,
Dates
1991, undated
Box 5
Title
Black Theater Alliance of Chicago programs,
Dates
1983
Box 5
Title
Chicago Artists Network,
Dates
1988
Box 5
Title
Chicago International New Art Forms Exposition folder,
Dates
1987
Box 5
Title
Chicago International Art Exhibition,
Dates
1985, undated
Box 5
Title
Chicago Office of Fine Arts, applications,
Dates
1983-1989, undated
Box 5
Title
Chicago Office of Fine Arts, applications,
Dates
1983-1989, undated
Box 5
Title
Chicago Office of Fine Arts, City Arts grants materials,
Dates
1975-1986
Box 5
Title
Chicago Office of Fine Arts, City Arts grants materials,
Dates
1986-1987
Box 5
Title
Chicago Office of Fine Arts, materials,
Dates
1988-1989, undated
Box 5
Title
Chicago Office of Fine Arts , Neighborhood Arts Program,
Dates
1990, undated
Box 5
Title
Chicago Office of Fine Arts, Neighborhood Assistance Program,
Dates
1990
Box 5
Title
Chicago Office of Fine Arts, Neighborhood Assistance Program,
Dates
1990
Box 6
Title
Chicago Office of Fine Arts, Neighborhood Assistance Program,
Dates
1990
Box 6
Title
Community Arts Assistance Programs grant materials,
Dates
1990
Box 6
Title
Community Arts Assistance Programs materials,
Dates
1988-1989, undated
Box 6
Title
Exhibits, art exhibit mailings,
Dates
1988, undated
Box 6
Title
Exhibit, brochures,
Dates
1987
Box 6
Title
Exhibits, correspondence,
Dates
1987
Box 6
Title
Exhibits, exhibition development programs,
Dates
1988-1989
Box 6
Title
Exhibits, exhibition development program application,
Dates
1988-1989
Box 6
Title
Exhibits, McCormick Place information packet,
Dates
undated
Box 6
Title
Exhibits, notes,
Dates
undated
Box 6
Title
Exhibits, South Side Community Art Center,
Dates
1984
Box 6
Title
Exhibits, list of artwork,
Dates
1987
Box 6
Title
Exhibits, newsclippings about artists and exhibits,
Dates
1961-1984
Box 6
Title
God’s Little Acre Artists Collective documents,
Dates
1994
Box 6
Title
God’s Little Acre foundation notes and documents,
Dates
undated
Box 6
Title
Grant application,
Dates
1989
Box 6
Title
Grant proposal for Gwendolyn Brooks Center at Chicago State University,
Dates
1987-1989, undated
Box 7
Title
Grant proposal for Gwendolyn Brooks Center at Chicago State University,
Dates
undated
Box 7
Title
Handwritten notes about Chicago’s Role in the Civil Rights Movement,
Dates
undated
Box 7
Title
Hispanic Art Tour program,
Dates
1986
Box 7
Title
Hyde Park Art Center, pamphlets,
Dates
undated
Box 7
Title
Illinois Arts Alliance, documents,
Dates
1988
Box 7
Title
Illinois Arts Alliance, documents,
Dates
1988
Box 7
Title
Illinois Arts Council, annual report,
Dates
1992
Box 7
Title
Illinois Arts Council, Art Fair directory,
Dates
1989
Box 7
Title
Illinois Arts Council, Institute for Positive Education grant documents,
Dates
1988-1990
Box 7
Title
Illinois Arts Council, Institute for Positive Education grant documents,
Dates
1988-1990
Box 7
Title
Illinois Arts Council, program,
Dates
1988
Box 7
Title
Illinois Arts Council, Art Fellowship program materials,
Dates
1987-1988
Box 7
Title
Illinois artists groups,
Dates
1988
Box 7
Title
Illinois Humanities Council, application,
Dates
1984
Box 7
Title
Minority Arts Administration Fellowship Orientation Session book,
Dates
1995
Box 8
Title
Minority Arts Administration Fellowship Orientation Session book,
Dates
1995
Box 8
Title
Minority Arts Administration Fellowship Orientation Session book,
Dates
1995
Box 8
Title
Minority Arts Administration Fellowship Orientation Session book,
Dates
1995
Box 8
Title
Programs, Chicago musical organizations newsletters and brochures,
Dates
1987-1988
Box 8
Title
Programs, Chicago Literary Fair,
Dates
1989
Box 8
Title
Robert Glover, artist exhibit materials,
Dates
1968-1990, undated
Box 8
Title
Robert Glover, artist information,
Dates
1992, undated
Box 8
Title
Robert Glover resume,
Dates
undated
Subseries 3. Professional organizations,
1977-1997, undated
Scope and Contents note

The Professional organizations subseries is comprised of Woods’s involvement and employment with various professional organizations throughout Chicago. Of note are documents related to his time as Executive Director of the South Shore Cultural Center.

Box 9
Title
African American Museums Association, meeting minutes,
Dates
1983
Box 9
Title
African American Publishers and Booksellers Association,
Dates
1988
Box 9
Title
Association for Study of African American Life and History,
Dates
1990
Box 9
Title
Black Caucus of the American Library Association, membership directory,
Dates
1986
Box 9
Title
Black Caucus of the Illinois Library Association, documents,
Dates
1980
Box 9
Title
Chicago Caucus of Black Librarians, materials,
Dates
1979-1980
Box 9
Title
Chicago Park District, employment materials,
Dates
1997, undated
Box 9
Title
Chicago Park District, history project,
Dates
1997, undated
Box 9
Title
Chicago Cultural Plans, materials,
Dates
1985-1986, undated
Box 9
Title
Chicago Public Library, fliers,
Dates
undated
Box 9
Title
College Art Association of America, member information,
Dates
1986
Box 9
Title
Black Caucus of the Illinois Library Association, documents,
Dates
1980
Box 9
Title
Illinois Literary Publishers Association, correspondence and catalog,
Dates
1988
Box 9
Title
Midwest Minority Vendors Convention and Exposition, program,
Dates
1987
Box 9
Title
National Council for Black Studies Sixth Annual Conference,
Dates
1982
Box 9
Title
National Society of Fund Raising Executives, bylaws,
Dates
1984
Box 9
Title
New Initiatives in the Arts, business plan,
Dates
1987, undated
Box 9
Title
Newberry Library’s Very merry Bazaar Volunteer, fliers,
Dates
1992
Box 9
Title
Paper Press, administrative files,
Dates
1988
Box 9
Title
Performance and Exhibition Forum, administrative records,
Dates
1980, undated
Box 10
Title
Performance and Exhibition Forum, administrative records,
Dates
1977-1980, undated
Box 10
Title
Ragdale Foundation, residency materials,
Dates
1987, 1989, undated
Box 10
Title
South Shore Community Center, handwritten notes,
Dates
undated
Box 10
Title
South Shore Cultural Center, budget meeting minutes,
Dates
1995
Box 10
Title
South Shore Community Center, employment,
Dates
1995-1997, undated
Box 10
Title
South Shore Cultural Center, executive director materials,
Dates
1997
Box 10
Title
South Shore Cultural Center, executive director materials,
Dates
1997
Box 10
Title
South Shore Cultural Center, executive director materials,
Dates
1997
Box 10
Title
Southside Community Art Center, correspondence,
Dates
1984
Box 10
Title
Southside Community Art Center, Black Artists in Private Collections exhibit planning materials,
Dates
1984, undated
Box 10
Title
Southside Community Art Center, material,
Dates
1980-1984, undated
Box 10
Title
Third World Press correspondence, catalog, and information,
Dates
1988-1989, undated
Box 10
Title
University of Illinois, Chicago Black Alumni Association,
Dates
1986, undated
Box 10
Title
University of Illinois Champaign-Urbana Black Alumni Association,
Dates
1983
Subseries 4. Consulting work,
1983-1992, undated
Arrangement note

The Consulting work subseries is arranged alphabetically.

Scope and Contents note

Correspondence as well as financial and administrative records are organized in the Consulting work subseries as they relate to Woods’s consultation services for various non-profits and arts organizations in Chicago. Woods’s work at Cousins and Associates as a fine arts representative and consultant is documented in this subseries, the bulk of these materials include information about a 1987 art auction organized by Woods called Auction of Original Art.

Box 11
Title
Archives of Rehabilitation, consulting materials,
Dates
1987-1988, undated
Box 11
Title
Archives of Rehabilitation, consulting materials,
Dates
undated
Box 11
Title
Art Institute of Chicago, “telefunding” documents,
Dates
1990-1991
Box 11
Title
Aylo Children’s Dance Theater, budget materials,
Dates
1986-1988, undated
Box 11
Title
Barney’s Popcorn, consulting documents,
Dates
undated
Box 11
Title
Chicago Theater Company, consulting work,
Dates
1987-1989
Box 11
Title
Consulting correspondence and materials,
Dates
1987, undated
Box 11
Title
Consulting correspondence and documents,
Dates
1990-1992
Box 11
Title
Cousins and Associates, auction art buyer information and forms,
Dates
1987, undated
Box 11
Title
Cousins and Associates, auction artist and buyers materials,
Dates
1991, undated
Box 11
Title
Cousins and Associates, Auction of Original Art materials,
Dates
1987, undated
Box 11
Title
Cousins and Associates, art auction,
Dates
1987, undated
Box 11
Title
Cousins and Associates, Black Artists Auction materials,
Dates
undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, Black Artists Auction materials,
Dates
undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, auction fliers,
Dates
undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, folder of auction materials at Hyde Park Hilton,
Dates
1987, undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, auction letters to artists and buyers,
Dates
1987
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, auction marketing,
Dates
1987, undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, auction materials,
Dates
1987-1988, undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, auction notes,
Dates
1986-1988, undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, auction program “Black Artists in Public and Private Collections”,
Dates
1987
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, auction record of sales,
Dates
1987, undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, auction timetable,
Dates
1987
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, artwork receipt,
Dates
undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, book committee agenda,
Dates
1983, 1987, undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, business plan,
Dates
1983-1987
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, business plan,
Dates
1990, undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, client surveys,
Dates
undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, contact cards,
Dates
undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, events,
Dates
1986-1987
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, mailing lists,
Dates
undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, newspaper clippings.
Dates
1984, 1985
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, planning documents and notes,
Dates
1984-1986, undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, stationary,
Dates
undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, timetables,
Dates
1988-1990, undated
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, project timetables and notes,
Dates
1984-1986
Box 12
Title
Cousins and Associates, working master calendar and notes,
Dates
1988, undated
Box 13
Title
Directory project work place,
Dates
1987
Box 13
Title
The Duke Ellington Society, administrative/foundation records,
Dates
1988-1989, undated
Box 13
Title
Free Street, consulting materials,
Dates
1989
Box 13
Title
Guild Books, consulting materials,
Dates
1989
Box 13
Title
Interim reports,
Dates
1986
Box 13
Title
Lists of potential clients,
Dates
undated
Box 13
Title
Management consultant resume,
Dates
1990
Box 13
Title
Organization budget form,
Dates
undated
Box 13
Title
Third World Press, consulting materials,
Dates
1986-1989, undated
Box 13
Title
Third World Press, consulting materials,
Dates
1987-1988
Box 13
Title
Wrench House, proposal,
Dates
1989
Subseries 5. Teaching documents,
1990-1996, undated
Arrangement note

The Teaching documents subseries is arranged alphabetically.

Scope and Contents note

The Teaching documents subseries consists of materials related to Woods’s time as a creative writing teacher at Harry S. Truman College and Wilbur Wright College (City Colleges of Chicago) and includes syllabi, class fliers, and photocopied materials to be read in class.

Box 14
Title
Creative writing class press release,
Dates
1990, undated
Box 14
Title
Creative writing continuing education teaching materials,
Dates
1990-1991, undated
Box 14
Title
Creative writing fliers,
Dates
undated
Box 14
Title
Creative writings workshop teaching materials,
Dates
1991, undated
Box 14
Title
Field trip with Community Youth Creative Learning Experience,
Dates
1996
Box 14
Title
Photocopies of short stories,
Dates
undated
Box 14
Title
Photocopies of short stories,
Dates
undated
Box 14
Title
Photocopies of short stories,
Dates
undated
Box 14
Title
Truman College, Artist and Writers Club materials,
Dates
1992
Box 14
Title
Truman College, Continuing Education teaching materials,
Dates
1993, undated
Box 15
Title
Truman College, Continuing Education employment materials,
Dates
1990
Box 15
Title
Truman College, Creative Writing course,
Dates
1992
Box 15
Title
Wright College, Continuing Education materials,
Dates
1990-1992, undated
Series III. Manuscripts,
1961-1998, undated
Arrangement note

The Manuscripts series is arranged into two subseries:

Subseries 1. Authored by Woods, 1961-1998, undated Subseries 2. Authored by others, 1977-1990, undated

Scope and Contents note

Authored works by Alfred Woods and works owned by Woods are included in the Manuscripts series.

Subseries 1. Authored by Woods,
1977-1990, undated
Arrangement note

The Authored by Woods subseries is arranged alphabetically by title.

Scope and Contents note

Drafts of poems, short stories, and novels written by Woods are included in this subseries, as well as other materials related to the publishing of his work. Of note are documents related to his book of poetry, "Manish!"

Box 16
Title
“Art in the Neighborhoods: A Tale of Two Centers”,
Dates
undated
Box 16
Title
"The Art of Seeing," poems and correspondence,
Dates
undated
Box 16
Title
"The Art of Seeing," poems and correspondence,
Dates
undated
Box 16
Title
"The Art of Seeing," poems and correspondence,
Dates
undated
Box 16
Title
"Between the Village and Storm Warnings," drafts and publication materials,
Dates
circa 1979
Box 16
Title
"Back Home-Chicago," manuscript,
Dates
1985
Box 16
Title
“Eclipse”,
Dates
circa 1978
Box 16
Title
"Hello It’s Me," copyright forms,
Dates
1990
Box 16
Title
"Hello It’s Me," manuscript and submission materials,
Dates
undated
Box 16
Title
"Hello It’s Me," manuscript and submission materials,
Dates
undated
Box 17
Title
"Hello It’s Me," manuscript and submission materials,
Dates
undated
Box 17
Title
"Hello It’s Me," novel proposal and outline,
Dates
undated
Box 17
Title
"Hello It’s Me," revised manuscript,
Dates
undated
Box 17
Title
List of Alfred Wood’s publications,
Dates
undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!,"
Dates
undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," book cover,
Dates
undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," handwritten notes,
Dates
undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," lists of potential buyers,
Dates
undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," marketing materials,
Dates
1983-1988, undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," order form,
Dates
undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," poetry,
Dates
undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," press release folder,
Dates
1989, undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," press release
Dates
undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," publication materials,
Dates
1987-1988
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," publication materials,
Dates
1989, undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," publicity release,
Dates
1989
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," reading at Printer’s Row Book Fair,
Dates
1989, undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," review,
Dates
1984, undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," reviews and press releases,
Dates
1984-1990, undated
Box 17
Title
"Manish!," Writers in Conversation flier,
Dates
1989
Box 17
Title
Mother’s Day poem,
Dates
undated
Box 17
Title
Poem drafts, 1 of 4,
Dates
undated
Box 18
Title
Poem drafts, 2 of 4,
Dates
undated
Box 18
Title
Poem drafts, 3 of 4,
Dates
undated
Box 18
Title
Poem drafts, 4 of 4,
Dates
undated
Box 18
Title
Poems,
Dates
undated
Box 18
Title
Poems,
Dates
undated
Box 18
Title
Poems,
Dates
undated
Box 18
Title
Poems and manuscript submissions,
Dates
1980-1981
Box 18
Title
Proposal for a novel,
Dates
undated
Box 18
Title
Religious writings,
Dates
1988, undated
Box 18
Title
"Speak Memories: New Poems,"
Dates
1990
Box 18
Title
"Take a Deep Breath,"
Dates
undated
Box 19
Title
"Tanner Man," first draft,
Dates
undated
Box 19
Title
"Tanner Man," second draft,
Dates
undated
Box 19
Title
Writing plan,
Dates
1987
Box 19
Title
Writings, handwritten and typed,
Dates
1977-1985, undated
Box 19
Title
Writings with submission letter,
Dates
1979
Box 19
Title
"Your First Last Chance," Illinois Arts Council Submission,
Dates
1984
Box 19
Title
"Your First Last Chance," manuscript,
Dates
undated
Box 19
Title
"Your First Last Chance," photocopy of manuscript,
Dates
1985
Subseries 2. Authored by others,
1961-1998, undated
Arrangement note

The Authored by other subseries is organized alphabetically by title.

Scope and Contents note

The Authored by other subseries consists of materials written by others and owned by Woods. It includes manuscripts, magazine articles, poetry, and short stories.

Box 19
Title
African-American authored publications,
Dates
1961, 1976, 1984
Box 19
Title
"How to Open Your Own Shop or Gallery,"
Dates
1984
Box 19
Title
"Jet" magazine,
Dates
1982
Box 20
Title
"Planning the University Library" by Stanton Biddle,
Dates
1992
Box 20
Title
Poems and short stories,
Dates
1991-1993, undated
Box 20
Title
Poetry by Ayisha McMillan,
Dates
1998, undated
Box 20
Title
"Poetry and Other Raps" by Sam Greenlee,
Dates
1992
Box 20
Title
"Poetry and Other Raps" by Sam Greenlee,
Dates
1992
Box 20
Title
"Solo Flights, Together" by Lucille W. Younger,
Dates
1980
Series IV. Correspondence,
1969-1998, undated
Arrangement note

The Correspondence series is arranged by type of correspondence as well as chronologically within each type.

Scope and Contents note

The Correspondence series consists of correspondence to and from Alfred Woods. It includes personal and professional correspondence, such as poetry submissions to publishers and magazines.

Box 21
Title
Personal,
Dates
1969-1972
Box 21
Title
Personal, international from Ron Favors,
Dates
1971-1972, undated
Box 21
Title
Personal, greeting cards,
Dates
1971-1972, 1984, undated
Box 21
Title
Personal,
Dates
undated
Box 21
Title
General,
Dates
1979-1980
Box 21
Title
General,
Dates
1980-1982
Box 21
Title
General
Dates
1983-1986
Box 21
Title
General,
Dates
1989-1998, undated
Box 21
Title
Professional,
Dates
1976-1977
Box 21
Title
Professional,
Dates
1978
Box 21
Title
Professional,
Dates
1979
Box 22
Title
Professional, poetry submissions,
Dates
1980-1982
Box 22
Title
Professional,
Dates
1980-1986
Box 22
Title
Professional,
Dates
1987-1988
Box 22
Title
Professional with notes, Chicago Office of Fine Arts,
Dates
1990
Box 22
Title
Professional,
Dates
1990-1994
Box 22
Title
Professional,
Dates
undated
Series V. Audio/visual material,
1995, undated
Arrangement note

The Audio/visual material series is organized alphabetically.

Scope and Contents note

The Audio/visual material series includes four cassette tapes, one floppy disc, two photograph negatives of Alfred Woods and slides of Robert Glover’s artwork.

Box 23
Title
Cassette tape, “Clovis Bordeaux”,
Dates
1995
Box 23
Title
Cassette tape, “Clovis Bordeaux”,
Dates
1995
Box 23
Title
Cassette tape, “Clovis Bordeaux”,
Dates
1995
Box 23
Title
Cassette tape, “Suri Slavery Documents, part 1”
Dates
undated
Box 23
Title
Floppy disc, August Wilson press release,
Dates
undated
Box 23
Title
Photograph negative, Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 23
Title
Photograph negative, Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 23
Title
Slides, Robert Glover’s artwork,
Dates
undated
Series VI. Photographs,
1985-2002, undated
Arrangement note

The Photographs series is arranged by print size (smallest to largest) and then alphabetically.

Scope and Contents note

The photographs in this series are primarily of Alfred Woods. This series also includes photographs of Gwendolyn Brooks, Dr. Burroughs, the South Shore Cultural Center, and events attended by Alfred Woods.

Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
1991
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods and Gwendolyn Books,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods and Gwendolyn Books,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods and Gwendolyn Books with others,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods and unidentified man,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Gwendolyn Books,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Gwendolyn Books,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Two unidentified men,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Unidentified group,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Unidentified group,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Unidentified group,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Unidentified man,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Unidentified woman,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
2002
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods in an audience,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods on a panel,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods with a woman,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Three person panel,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
1987
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
1987
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
1987
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
1987
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
1997
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods with two men,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods book signing,
Dates
1995
Box 24
Title
Alfred Woods, Dr. Burroughs, August Wilson,
Dates
1997
Box 24
Title
August Wilson,
Dates
1997
Box 24
Title
God’s Little Acre Collective,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Jack and Jill fundraiser,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Jack and Jill fundraiser,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
Rita Warfor,
Dates
undated
Box 24
Title
South Shore Cultural Center,
Dates
1985