Black Mass Communications Project Collection, ca.1970-1985.
Description:
The BCMP collection consists of many dozens of reel to reel audiotapes of radio broadcasts aired over WMUA during the 1970s and early 1980s by and for the universitys African American community. Included is a range of locally-produced public affairs, cultural, and music programming, with some content licensed from around the country. A few of the tapes are associated with the Five Colleges National Public Radio affiliate, WFCR.
Repository/Collector:
UMass Amherst Libraries, Special Collections & University Archives
Repository/Collector Type:
Personal and College or University
City:
Amherst
State:
Massachusetts
Country:
United States
Extent:
300 recordings
Content types:
Sounds and Other
Historical relevance:
The Black Mass Communications Project was founded as an educational and informational outlet for Black students at UMass Amherst in 1968 and authorized in the following year as a Registered Student Organization. Over the years, BCMP played varied roles on campus, hosting cultural events, lectures, workshops, and social gatherings as to help keep black music alive. Many of its early members were also affiliated with the student radio station WMUA, and throughout the 1970s, the organization played a prominent role in providing programming to the station, offering programming highlighting African American music and current affairs.
Condition note:
Playable with proper equipment
Notes:
The collection has been inventoried, but not yet fully processed or digitized.