Series V: Civil Rights, 1950-1986

The James Howell McGee Papers contain materials which document his life and his dedication to community development and civil rights.

Series I (Box 1) Personal Papers and Law Career This series contains personal documents such as photographs, poetry, invitations, and memorial service cards. Included are memorial speeches written by McGee, and other biography sketches about important figures in politics. Of major importance is a school paper done by McGee titled The Negro Wage Earner and His Home Conditions, which earned him a grade of B.

Series II (Box 2-5) Political Life, contains documents spanning McGee's appointment as assistant to Congressman Rodney M. Love in 1966 through his terms as City Commissioner (1967-1970) and Mayor (1970-1982). This series is broken down into four subseries: Subseries A- Early politics and City Commissioner of Dayton, Subseries B- Mayor of Dayton, Subseries C- Political Travels, and Subseries D- Political Correspondence. Included within this series are his duties, travels, speeches, and correspondence. The researcher should know that within the correspondence box (Box 5) some of the constituent correspondences are racist and contain vulgar language.

Series III (Box 6-7) Speeches, contains speeches given by McGee throughout his life. Although most of these are political in nature, some other topics include civil rights and religion. Note to the researcher that within this series also are correspondence and programs relating to the speeches.

Series IV (Box 8-10) Organizations (Political and Civil Rights), contains documents about McGee's involvement in different social and political organizations. The series is broken down into two subseries: Subseries A- Civil Rights Organizations and Subseries B- Political Organizations. These organizations include NAACP, Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Masons, Sister Cities International, and National League of Cities.

Series V (Box 11) Civil Rights Issues, contains documents spanning from the 1950s through the 1990s. Issues include equal employment, poverty, housing, segregation, and civil suits. McGee played a vital role in speaking and promoting community activism regarding these issues. His political placement made him an important person to advocate and fight conditions and unfair laws that many blacks and minorities face. This series along with the civil rights organizations found in Series IV are of major significance to this collection as a representation of African American life in Dayton during the second half of the twentieth century.