Interview with Ellen Smith filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Frank Boykin filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Jim Walton filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with David Boyd filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Victoria Woodards filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Lyle Quasim filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Wayne Williams filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Pastor Gregory Christopher filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Dr. / Attorney Gerald G. Burke filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Aaron Pointer filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of

Interview with Alyce McNeil filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Will Hausa filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Korbett Mosesly filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Tony Montgomery filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Christina Blocker filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Jonathan Johnson filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

Interview with Regina Glenn, Dr. John Vassall, Henry Yates, and Winfield Ezell, Jr, filmed in 2022 for the documentary project "The Evolution of Collective Wisdom."

This undated photograph was taken in front of the snack bar at the USO No. 2 in Tacoma. At the head of the table was Arthur Hayes and at the end closest to the camera was Helen B. Stafford, local civic activist. USO No. 2 opened at 713 Commerce Street in September 1942 to serve Tacoma's African American servicemen and closed in March 1947. This location also served servicemen during World War I as the Army-Navy Club.

Back of photo:
Eastside youth Center
Jul 9 1968
Constructive Cutting Work 

Back of Photo:
Tom Dixon
Staff photo by Jerry Buck

Back of Photo:
Tom Dixon, president of the Tacoma Urban League speaks to the media. The Rev. J.A. Boles sits beyond. These men delivered a statement to the press after conferring with other Black community leaders at St. John Baptist Church. The subject is police procedures and the shooting of a Black purse snatching suspect.
Staff photo by Peter Haley

TACOMA., Washington -- A WINNER -- Bill Smitherman, left, won his race for a seat in the Washington House of Representatives, to become the only Black in that legislative body. His father, Willy Joel Smitherman, right, also ran for a House seat, but lost.
Associated Press Photo

Back of Photo:
Bill Smitherman

Front of Photo:
Rep. Bill Smitherman, center

Back of Photo:
The Rev. George Stallings conducts services at the Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church/ Stallings has broke away from the Roman Catholic Church and has founded his own Imani Temple in Washington D.C.
NEWS/MAYNARD; Staff Photo by Bill Hunter

Video recording of a presentation to the Black Collective by poet and author Noni Ervin for the 2022 Kwanzaa Celebration. Ervin is the author of "Verbatim: Living, Loving, Surviving" and a member of the Seattle-based African American Writers' Alliance. She is the Founder and Creator of Kinara Park Kids and the Founder of the Kwanzaa Awards.[1]

In August of 1944, many servicemen of color turned out for dance night in the main auditorium of the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. During World War II, the US military was still segregated and USO #2 was sponsored by the YMCA for the entertainment of African American servicemen and women. The main auditorium was decorated with transparencies by the Washington State Progress Commission. The project was under the supervision of Bert Smyser. The auditorium was a large space that could be adapted for many uses. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma) (information provided by USO #2 brochure for Recognition Ceremony)

A group of African Americans look on for the cutting of a cake at an unidentified social event at the USO #2, 713-715 Commerce St., circa 1946. The cake has four candles, possibly indicating that it was in honor of the Club's fourth anniversary in September of 1946. In the group were Helen B. Stafford (second from left), Arthur Hayes (fifth from left), Maude Leonard (seventh from left) and Louise Beck (back of center, in hat.) (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)

U.S.O. #2, 713-15 Commerce St., circa 1946. During World War II, although black and white soldiers fought side by side, the United States Army was still segregated. In Tacoma, African American service men and women had their own USO Club at 713-15 Commerce. It was dedicated on September 4, 1942 and closed late in March of 1947. The Kaufman-Wolff building where it was located had previously housed the Soldiers and Sailors Clubhouse during World War I. USO #2 was enlarged in 1944 by adding an annex in the building to the north of the original club. The enlarged structure provided the following facilities: dark room, music room, hobby room, game room, showers, sleeping accommodations, library and snack bar. It was operated by the YMCA and staffed primarily by volunteers. (brochure from Recognition Ceremony USO Number Two on 3/30/1947; photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma).

On October 22, 1945, this group of unidentified individuals were photographed seated around a table after what appears to be a dinner at the USO #2, 713-15 Commerce St. (photograph by F.L. Powell of Tacoma)