The Givens Collection: Preserving a legacy of African American culture

For 40 years, the Givens Collection at the University of Minnesota has stood as a cornerstone of African American cultural preservation, connecting past, present and future generations. Curated today by Davu Seru, who first engaged with the collection as a graduate research fellow, the Givens Collection remains a living archive that reflects both the richness of African American artistic expression and the vision of those who brought it to campus in 1985.

Named after philanthropist Archie Givens Jr., the collection was made possible by a dedicated circle of civic leaders and families, including Sharon Sayles Belton, Josie Johnson and the Estes family. These individuals contributed not only financial support but also their time and expertise to ensure the collection’s accessibility and longevity. “The Givens Collection has always been about community,” Seru says. “It’s about remembering those who came before us, preserving their stories and passing that knowledge on to the next generation.”

The Givens Collection of African American Literature encompasses more than 10,000 books, magazines and pamphlets by or about African Americans, spanning nearly 250 years of American culture. Its holdings include novels, poetry, plays, short stories, essays, literary criticism, periodicals and biographies, with particular strength in the Harlem Renaissance and the Black Arts Movement.

The collection is far more than a repository of literary works. It holds a significant number of materials related to African American art, education, social sciences, sports and entertainment, as well as works by and about continental Africans and Africans in the diaspora. With tens of thousands of archival and manuscript materials, including correspondence, pamphlets, screenplays, newspaper clippings, photographs, sheet music and other ephemera, the collection offers an unmatched window into African American cultural history.

Among its notable treasures are the Penumbra Theatre Company Archives, documenting the legacy of one of the nation’s leading Black theater companies; the personal papers of civic leader Josie R. Johnson, chronicling decades of advocacy and social leadership; a 20-year correspondence between Harlem Renaissance poet Countee Cullen and William Fuller Brown, offering unique insight into the literary and cultural currents of the early 20th century; first editions of historically significant works, including Phillis Wheatley’s “Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral” (1773), Sojourner Truth’s “Narrative” (1850) and works by Frederick Douglass; and oral histories collected during the Depression from formerly enslaved individuals in Mississippi, the only surviving records of these firsthand accounts.

“The Givens Collection is a resource unlike any other,” Seru explains. “It allows researchers, students and community members to connect with the lived experiences, artistry and intellect of African Americans across centuries.”

Beyond preserving materials, the Givens Collection actively cultivates community engagement. Under Seru’s leadership, a new advisory board draws on historical practices to connect the collection to audiences both on and off campus. Programs such as “Embracing Our Roots” facilitate intergenerational dialogue, pairing younger and elder African American artists and cultural leaders to share their work, origin stories and visions for the future.

Seru emphasizes that the collection is not static. “This is about continuity,” he says. “It’s about linking generations, honoring those who came before us while inspiring the next generation to see themselves as part of a living history.” In the current political climate, he notes, safeguarding these materials and their community connections is especially important, ensuring the collection remains a resilient resource for African American scholarship and cultural memory.

The Givens Collection stands as a testament to foresight, resilience and the power of community stewardship. For Seru, working with the collection is deeply personal. “I’ve spent decades immersed in this history, building relationships with the families and artists who have shaped it,” he says. “It enriches not only my understanding of African American cultural history but also my connection to the broader arts and literary communities.”

The collection is not just about the past. It is a tool for shaping the future. By preserving these works and connecting them with the community, the Givens Collection ensures that African American cultural achievements continue to inspire and educate for generations to come.

The Givens Collection, curated by scholar and cultural historian Davu Seru, remains one of Minnesota’s most significant archives of African American literature and cultural history, stewarded for the community by the community. For more information, visit www.lib.umn.edu/collections/special/givens.