AP African American Studies Resource Archive | Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History

A blue tile mosaic mural with depictions of various historical figures

“Harlem Timeline”

by Willie Birch

Explore the history of Harlem through this work of art in the New York City subway system.

Work of Art

A typed list of Black and Puerto Rican Studies courses for the Fall 1972 semester, pale blue ink on white copy paper

Schedule of Courses for Black and Puerto Rican Studies

1972

View one of Hunter College‘s earliest African American Studies course catalogs.

Primary Source

A color photograph of a row of ten female Grandassa models with natural, afro-style hair wearing dresses made from brightly colored African-inspired motifs. Three men standing on a small podium behind the models are wearing patterned dashiki shirts. The dark blue wall behind them is covered with posters advertising Black theater performances, shows, and celebrations.

Naturally ’68 at the Apollo Theater

ca. 1968

View a photograph from a key convergence of artists and models amid the Black is Beautiful movement.

Primary Source

A wide-mouthed brown earthenware jar with two handles and writing inscribed on the surface.

Storage Jar

1858

View this example of David Drake’s masterful pottery.

Work of Art

A hand-colored lithograph showing enslaved Black men and women cut sugar cane and load the bundles or junks into a horse-drawn cart. A White man on a horse speaks to a Black overseer. Includes cutting bills or knives, coconut palms, and a windmill in the distance.

Sugar Cane Harvest, Antigua, West Indies

1823

View this depiction of enslavement in the Caribbean.

Primary Source

Map of Africa in tan, with arrows in black, red, green, and yellow showing the spread of Christianity and Islam, Bantu migrations, and trade routes within and beyond the continent

Migrations in Ancient African History

from Exploring Africa, African Studies Center

Explore the spread of Bantu languages, Christianity, and Islam and trade routes throughout African kingdoms.

Thematic Map

Stylized clay sculpture of an armored soldier on a horse

Mali Equestrian Figure

13th–15th Century

View this sculpture of a horseman with a quiver, an artifact of the Mali empire.

Primary Source

Sheet music for the song "Steal Away"

“Steal Away to Jesus”

1872

Read the lyrics and listen to this spiritual, popularized by the Fisk Jubilee Singers.

Primary Source

A broadside with the title "Under Decree in Equity. Sanders v. Sanders, et al." with list of enslaved people and their ages, and handwritten notes throughout

Broadside for an Auction of Enslaved Persons at the Charleston Courthouse

1859

Explore the domestic slave trade through this document listing names and ages.

Primary Source

Woodblock of ironing boards that resemble slave ships.

Stowage

by Willie Cole

View this work of art responding to images of slave ships.

Primary Source

A stylized terracotta sculpture of a seated man with an oversized and elongated head relative to their body, chin resting on the figure's knees. Damage to the figure's shins.

Nok Sculpture

500 BCE–500 CE

View this sculpture from ancient Nigeria.

Primary Source

Typed Black Panther Ten-Point platform in a newspaper.

The Black Panther Party’s Ten-Point Program

1966

Read the Black Panther Party’s guiding manifesto.

Primary Source