Guide to the Tim Stevens Papers, 1945-2006 AIS.2006.11

Arrangement

Repository
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Title
Tim Stevens Papers
Creator
Stevens, Tim
Collection Number
AIS.2006.11
Extent
38 Linear Feet (26 boxes)
Date
1945-2006
Date
1994-2004
Abstract
The collection documents the life and career of Tim Stevens, a prominent African American figure in the Pittsburgh community. Stevens served as president of the Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP (1994-2004) and was responsible for advocating for the rights of the African American community. This collection contains correspondence, meetings minutes, brochures, flyers, personal notes, news articles, memos, cassette tapes, VHS tapes and photographs.
Language
English .
Author
Ashley L. Taylor.
Publisher
ULS Archives & Special Collections
Address
University of Pittsburgh Library System
Archives & Special Collections
Website: library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections
Contact Us: www.library.pitt.edu/ask-archivist
URL: http://library.pitt.edu/archives-special-collections

Scope and Content Notes

The Tim Stevens Papers focus mainly on the period between 1994 and 2004 when Stevens served as President of the NAACP Pittsburgh branch. There is also material included on projects he initiated, particularly B-PEP and the Black and White Reunion. There are also personal materials, mainly concerning his career as a jazz vocalist and songwriter. The collection contains correspondence, news articles, memos, personal notes, meetings minutes, flyers, brochures, photographs, cassette tapes, compact discs, LPs and VHS tapes.

Processing Information

This collection was processed by Ashley L. Taylor in early 2010. Some material was weeded from the collection, mainly issues of newspapers and magazines, unsolicited mail, personal financial and medical information, and duplicate materials.

Previous Citation

Tim Stevens Papers, 1945-2006, AIS.2006.11, Archives Service Center, University of Pittsburgh

Preferred Citation

Tim Stevens Papers, 1945-2006, AIS.2006.11, Archives & Special Collections, University of Pittsburgh Library System

Copyright

The University of Pittsburgh holds the property rights to the material in this collection, but the copyright may still be held by the original creator/author. Researchers are therefore advised to follow the regulations set forth in the U.S. Copyright Code when publishing, quoting, or reproducing material from this collection without the consent of the creator/author or that go beyond what is allowed by fair use.

Biography

Timothy (Tim) Stevens was born in Pittsburgh, Pa., on May 4, 1945 to Georgetta and Jaspar Stevens. He was raised in the Hill District and attended the University of Pittsburgh, earning his Bachelor's Degree in Political Science in 1967 and his Master's Degree in Urban and Regional Planning in 1974.

In the wake of the 1968 assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr., Stevens decided to take a larger role in his community. In 1970, he became Executive Director of the Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP, holding this position for four years. In 1977, he began working as a volunteer coordinator at Mayview State Hospital. By 1990, he was made Director of Volunteer Resource Services, a position he currently holds. In 1986, Stevens founded the Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP), an organization aimed at promoting African American involvement in local, state, and national elections.

In November 1994, Stevens was elected President of the Pittsburgh branch of the NAACP. Over the next decade, Stevens would be continually re-elected to this position, being both praised and criticized for his very vocal presence in the media and his advocacy for African American rights and interests. Stevens took great interest in the tension between the African American community and the Pittsburgh Police Department. One of his projects, the Black and White Reunion, arose out of the controversial death of Jonny Gammage at the hands of the police. This project aimed to bridge tensions between the African American and Caucasian communities in Pittsburgh. Stevens lost the NAACP presidential election in late 2004, but left his mark on both the NAACP and the Pittsburgh community, where he still continues to be an active advocate for African Americans.

Stevens is also a well-known jazz performer and vocalist. He has written a variety of songs, including one recorded by Nancy Wilson. He has produced and released several albums, both solo and with his ensemble, the Tim Stevens Project. He also serves as a contributing editor for Pittsburgh Magazine's jazz section.

Arrangement

This collection in arranged into five series:

Series I. Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP), 1986-2004

Series II. Black and White Reunion, 1997-2005

Series III. NAACP, 1971-2006

Series IV. Personal, 1945-2003

Series V. Audio-Visual Material, 1950-2006

Access Restrictions

No restrictions.

Acquisition Information

Gift of Tim Stevens on June 6, 2006.

Subjects

    Corporate Names

    • Black Political Empowerment Project (B-PEP)
    • National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Pittsburgh Branch
    • Pittsburgh (Pa.). Bureau of Police

    Personal Names

    • Stevens, Tim

    Geographic Names

    • Pittsburgh (Pa.)
    • Pittsburgh (Pa.) -- Economic conditions

    Other Subjects

    • African American jazz musicians -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Police -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Politics
    • African Americans -- Civil rights -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • Associations
    • Social action
    • Personal papers
    • Economic development projects -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh
    • African Americans -- Political activity -- Pennsylvania -- Pittsburgh

Container List