Thomas C. Fleming papers, circa 1929-2004, bulk 1978-2004

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Summary

Creators:
Fleming, Thomas C., 1907-2006.
Abstract:
The Thomas C. Fleming papers include photographs, certificates, programs, manuscripts, and newspaper clippings documenting his life and career as a journalist.
Extent:
1.25 linear feet (2 boxes + 1 oversized box)
Language:
Languages represented in the collection: English
Preferred citation:

Thomas C. Fleming papers, MS 131, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Background

Scope and content:

The Thomas C. Fleming papers include photographs, certificates, programs, manuscripts, and newspaper clippings documenting his life and career as a journalist. The papers are organized into three series: biographical material, writings, and artifacts. Biographical material consists of two portraits of Fleming, a certificate and plaque, and three programs from events honoring Fleming. His writings include a 150 page unpublished manuscript about his life growing up in California and career as a journalist, three copies of his self-published monograph, Reflections on black history, and assorted newspaper clipping written by or about Fleming. Artifacts include Fleming’s hat and two smoking pipes.

Biographical / historical:

Journalist Thomas C. Fleming (1907-2006) was born on November 29, 1907 in Jacksonville, Florida. He was raised by his grandmother in Jacksonville until 1916, when he moved to New York City to live with his father, a Pullman porter, before moving to Chico, California to live with his mother in 1919. After graduating from Chico High School in 1926, he worked as a cook and bellhop for the Southern Pacific Railroad. During the 1930s, he began working for the San Francisco black newspaper, The Spokesman, while taking journalism classes at Chico State College.

Fleming was hired as the founding editor of the African American newspaper The Reporter in 1944, which quickly merged with Carlton B. Goodlett’s newspaper The Sun, to become The Sun-Reporter. He worked as managing editor and lead reporter for the Sun-Reporter for over 33 years until his retirement in 1997 at the age of 89. In retirement, he worked on his memoir which was collected in his 1997 publication Reflections on black history.

Processing information:

Processed by Sean Heyliger, 02/06/2014.

Arrangement:

Series I. Biographical Series II. Writings Series III. Artifacts

Rules or conventions:
Finding aid prepared using Describing Archives: a Content Standard

Access and use

Restrictions:

No access restrictions. Collection is open to the public.

Materials are for use in-library only, non-circulating.

Terms of access:

Permission to publish from the Thomas C. Fleming Papers must be obtained from the African American Museum & Library at Oakland.

Preferred citation:

Thomas C. Fleming papers, MS 131, African American Museum & Library at Oakland, Oakland Public Library. Oakland, California.

Location of this collection:
659 14th Street
Oakland, CA 94612, US
Contact:
(510) 637-0198
aamlo@oaklandlibrary.org
Website