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SERIES 1 · THE COMPLETE COLLECTION

Series 1 · Complete Archive

Explore people and objects across Black history. Start anywhere, or follow the collection by date.

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115,761 matching cards · 24 cards per page

BIOGRAPHYPortrait not availableExplore the life, work and source references.
BIOGRAPHY
Arts & Performance

Bill Smith (jewelry designer)

1933–1989

Bill Smith (born 1933) is an American fashion and jewelry designer who was the first black recipient of a Coty Award for his designs. He has designed for a number of companies, including costume jewelry for Coro and Richelieu, leather goods for Mark Cross,…

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MUSEUM OBJECT
Photographs and Still Images

Bill Stephney as VP/Promotions, Def Jam Recordings

ca. 1986

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A black and white photograph of Bill Stephney. Stephney is pictured standing in a dark interior space with a chandelier behind him. He is wearing a black jacket over a light colored button down shirt. The jacket has the name "Bill" embroidered in white on…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2015.132.23
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Source image for Bill T. JonesLoading image…
BIOGRAPHY
Arts & Performance

Bill T. Jones

1952–

William Tass Jones, known as Bill T. Jones (born February 15, 1952), is an American choreographer, director, author and dancer. He is the co-founder of the Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Dance Company. The company's home is in Manhattan.

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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
MUSEUM OBJECT
Photographs and Still Images

Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane

1984; printed 1990s

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

A color digital print photograph of Bill T. Jones and Arnie Zane. The photograph features the pair dancing and wearing all black dance apparel. Jones is captured mid jump, up in the air, while Zane is standing with one leg pointed up and one on the ground,…

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog 2016.77.2
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BIOGRAPHY
Sports

Bill Tate

1896–1953

Big Bill Tate (September 19, 1896 – August 10, 1953) was an American boxer who fought from 1912 to 1927. A native of Montgomery, Alabama, he spent his fighting career based in Chicago. Tate was a regular sparring partner of heavyweight champion Jack…

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BIOGRAPHY
Arts & Performance

Bill Traylor

Biography

William Traylor (April 1, c. 1853 – October 23, 1949) was an African-American self-taught artist from Lowndes County, Alabama. Born into slavery, Traylor spent the majority of his life after emancipation as a sharecropper. It was only after 1939, following…

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BIOGRAPHY
Film & Television

Bill Whitaker (journalist)

1951–

Bill Whitaker (born August 26, 1951) is an American television journalist and a correspondent for the CBS News program 60 Minutes.

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BIOGRAPHY
Politics & Public Life

Bill White

1915–1981

William Andrew White, III, (February 7, 1915 – January 23, 1981) was a Canadian composer and social justice activist, who was the first Black Canadian to run for federal office in Canada.

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BIOGRAPHY
Sports & Achievement

Bill White (first baseman)

1934–

William DeKova White (born January 28, 1934) is an American former professional baseball first baseman. He played 13 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York / San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, and Philadelphia Phillies. He was an…

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BIOGRAPHY
Sports

Bill Wilkerson

1945–2017

Bill Wilkerson (1945 – November 2, 2017) was an American radio personality and sports announcer who enjoyed a long career on St. Louis stations KMOX (1969–1996) and KTRS (1996–2006).

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BIOGRAPHY
Sports & Achievement

Bill Willis

1921–2007

William Karnet Willis (October 5, 1921 – November 27, 2007) was an American professional football player who was a middle guard and guard for eight seasons with the Cleveland Browns of the All-America Football Conference (AAFC) and the National Football…

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BIOGRAPHY
Business & Enterprise

Bill Winston

1943–

William Samuel Winston (born May 6, 1943) is an American televangelist, theology preacher, author, and entrepreneur. He is the founder and Senior Pastor of Living Word Christian Center, a non-denominational church in Forest Park, Illinois, with over 22,000…

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BIOGRAPHY
Literature

Bill Withers

1938–2020

William Harrison Withers Jr. (July 4, 1938 – March 30, 2020) was an American soul and R&B singer and songwriter. Born in Slab Fork, West Virginia, and raised in Beckley, West Virginia, he is known for having several hits over a career spanning 18 years,…

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BIOGRAPHY
Sports & Achievement

Bill Wright (outfielder)

1914–1996

Burnis "Wild Bill" Wright (June 6, 1914 – August 3, 1996) was an American professional baseball player in the Negro leagues and the Mexican League. Primarily an outfielder, he played from 1932 to 1956.

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BIOGRAPHY
Sports

Bill Zonnon

2006–

Bill Zonnon (born October 3, 2006) is a Canadian ice hockey player for the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the American Hockey League (AHL) as a prospect to the Pittsburgh Penguins of the National Hockey League (NHL). He was drafted 22nd overall by the…

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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
ARCHIVE RECORD
Historical photographs & documents

Billboard

1999-2001

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Cataloged as “Billboard” (Text; Clippings (books, newspapers, etc.)).

Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and CultureCatalog sova.nmaahc.a2013.149.3_ref894
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COLLECTION RECORDImage not availableExplore the catalog description and source record.
ARCHIVE RECORD
Historical photographs & visual records

Billboard with public announcement to combat AIDS epidemic

2000-02-03

FROM THE SOURCE CATALOG

Billboard with public announcement to combat AIDS epidemic. Billboard reads in Songhay, "sida ga boro wii ir ma dabari tee k'a kayandi." In English, "AIDS kills. We must stop AIDS together.". Original Carousel number, 13, slide number, 92.

Smithsonian Eliot Elisofon Photographic Archives, National Museum of African ArtCatalog EEPA.2020-001, Item EEPA 2020-001-1627
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BIOGRAPHY
Arts & Performance

Bille Woodruff

Biography

Bille Woodruff is a director of film, television and music videos, noted for directing many videos for a number of R&B and hip-hop artists since the mid-1990s. These artists include Joe, for whom Woodruff has directed 9 music videos since 1994, and Toni…

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BIOGRAPHY
Sports

Billi Chambers

Biography

Billi Chambers (née Godsey) is an American women's basketball coach who is the current head coach for the Xavier Musketeers. She was previously the head coach for Iona.

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BIOGRAPHY
Film & Television

Billie Allen

1925–2015

Billie Allen (January 13, 1925 – December 29, 2015) was an American actress, theater director, dancer and entertainer. Allen was one of the first black actors and performers to appear on television and stage in the United States, at a time when those…

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BIOGRAPHY
Politics

Billie Breaux

1936–

Billie J. Breaux (born June 23, 1936) is an American politician who served as a member of the Indiana Senate from 1990 to 2006. Representing the 34th district, she was succeeded by her daughter, Jean Breaux. She is a Democrat.

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Source image for Billie "Buckwheat" ThomasLoading image…
BIOGRAPHY
Film & Television

Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas

1931–1980

William Thomas Jr. (March 12, 1931 – October 10, 1980) was an American child actor best remembered for portraying the character of Buckwheat in the Our Gang (Little Rascals) short films from 1934 until the series' end in 1944. He was a native of Los Angeles.

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BIOGRAPHY
Civil Rights & Community

Billie Cooper

1958–

Ms. Billie Cooper (born October 29, 1958) is an African American transgender rights activist. She has been advocating for Black, transgender, and HIV rights in San Francisco since the 1980s.

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BIOGRAPHY
Music

Billie Holiday

1915–1959

Holiday's emotionally direct phrasing transformed jazz vocals, and her 1939 recording of “Strange Fruit” confronted the horror of lynching.

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Biographies, museum objects and archive records are distinct card types. Every card links to its historical source.