Background on Deborah Johnson-Simon
Dr. Deborah Johnson-Simon, PhD, is a museum anthropologist dedicated to advancing social justice and fostering community engagement through cultural heritage projects. She focuses on attracting and maintaining African American audiences and works extensively on museum outreach and development. Dr. Johnson-Simon is the co-editor of The Second Generation of African American Pioneers in Anthropology, a work that highlights significant contributions in the field. She is the founder and CEO of the African Diaspora Museology Institute (ADMI), formerly known as the Center for the Study of African and African Diaspora Museums and Communities (CFSAADMC). The institute is committed to conducting and distributing research on the history and culture of African and African Diaspora museums and communities, furthering the understanding of their impact and significance. Dr. Johnson-Simon’s research interests center on these communities’ cultural and historical narratives, emphasizing their role in museum studies and broader cultural heritage. Dr. Johnson-Simon received her BA from Rollins College in 1997 and her MA from Arizona State University with a certification in Museum Studies. She earned her PhD in 2007 from the University of Florida in 2007. The Deborah Johnson-Simon Papers document Dr. Johnson-Simon’s research, travels, and professional engagements. The collection includes photographs from her research in Arizona, culminating in Culture Keepers Arizona, as well as ephemera from her time at Rollins College in Florida and her research and teaching at Santa Fe Community College in Gainesville, Florida. It also highlights her extensive work with and on Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian and the C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute. Additionally, the collection contains an extensive collection of cards from individuals she met at conferences, during research, and while traveling. Notably, it includes her work with industrial designer Charles “Chuck” Harrison, who revolutionized the View-Master, along with a View-Master and more than 80 accompanying slides.
Scope of collection
The Deborah Johnson-Simon Collection exemplifies her work as an African and African American museum consultant, including collaborations with organizations like the C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute. The collection highlights her contributions as an anthropologist, featuring research notes, correspondence, ephemera, photographs, and materials from projects such as Cultural Keepers. It underscores Dr. Johnson-Simon’s dedication to preserving and disseminating African and African American cultural heritage through her research on Black pioneers, activists, and social justice leaders such as C.T. and Octavia Vivian and Charles "Chuck" Harrison. The collection also documents her educational background, with ephemera relating to her college experiences, her career in higher education, and her professional engagements, including presentations and conferences. It reflects her time living and working in Arizona, Florida, and Georgia and insights into her national and international research trips and personal travels. The Deborah Johnson-Simon Collection comprises a variety of materials—visual media, photographs, correspondence, ephemera, administrative records, and artifacts—and provides a comprehensive view of her impactful career, professional engagements, and dedication to cultural preservation.
Series descriptions
This series documents Dr. Johnson-Simon’s Culture Keepers project, a major initiative highlighting African American cultural preservation. The materials consist of photographs, correspondence, cards, interviews, and related ephemera from over 30 African American individuals and cultural leaders, as well as institutions across Arizona. This series offers insight into the cultural landscapes and oral histories of Black communities and showcases Dr. Johnson-Simon’s methodological approach to fieldwork, cultural outreach, and community documentation.
This series focuses on Dr. Johnson-Simon’s professional relationship and research on industrial designer Charles "Chuck" Harrison. It includes correspondence, cards, ephemera, resumes, photographs, a View-Master with over 80 slides, and a copy of Harrison’s book A Life’s Design. The series reflects Harrison’s contributions as an African American innovator in design and Dr. Johnson-Simon’s efforts to document and highlight underrepresented figures in design history.
Comprising a diverse array of materials, this series includes personal correspondence, educational memorabilia, graduation announcements, awards, ephemera, and photographs. It also documents Dr. Johnson-Simon’s academic milestones and professional engagements, including her studies at Rollins College, Arizona State University, and the University of Florida, as well as her participation in conferences and cultural organizations. The series paints a comprehensive portrait of her educational background and evolving career in anthropology and museology.
This series captures Dr. Johnson-Simon’s time living and working in Arizona. Materials include photographs, postcards, cards, and memorabilia related to community members, cultural events, festivals, and professional engagements. Highlights include materials from the George Washington Carver Museum, interactions with local artists, and educational initiatives, reflecting her deep community involvement and regional impact.
This series consists of administrative records, visual materials, printed ephemera, and correspondence related to Dr. Johnson-Simon’s work with the C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute (CTVLI). It includes meeting agendas, reports, promotional materials, tax forms, and project documentation. The series highlights her contributions to shaping the Institute’s mission in promoting education, leadership, and civil rights advocacy.
Focusing on the life and legacy of Civil Rights activist Rev. Dr. C.T. Vivian and his wife Octavia Vivian, this series includes printed materials, correspondence, ephemera, news articles, and research binders. It reflects Dr. Johnson-Simon’s dedication to preserving and promoting the historical narrative of the Vivians’ contributions to the Civil Rights Movement and their lasting influence on African American history and leadership development.
Inventory
Series 1. Culture Keepers
1993-2009
Photographs
ca. 2001
Box 1: 28
Photograph of Abdule, Hamze, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
Card and photosgraphs
ca. 2001
Box 1: 29
photographs and cards from Ashegbeyeri, Dr. Sonny, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
Photographs
2000-2003
Box 1: 30
Photographs of Benson, Linda, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
Photograph
ca. 2001
Box 1: 31
photographs of Burroughs, Margaret Taylor, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photographs
ca. 2001
Box 1: 32
Photographs of Campbell, Cloves, Sr., who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photograph, card, and membership card
ca. 2002
Box 1: 33
Photographs and cards from Cannon, Milton, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers. Dr. Johnson-Simon member cards for the Prescott Jazz Society.
Cards, postcards, photographs, and news articles
ca. 2002-2007
Box 1: 34
Photographs, cards and postcards, and news articles from Copeland, Juanita Guidry, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photograph
ca. 2016
Box 1: 35
Photograph of Dean, Dr. Eula, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photograph
ca. 2001
Box 1: 36
Photograph of Dickerson, Deborah, who an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photographs
ca. 2001
Box 1: 37
Photographs of Dix, Clay, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
Photographs
2000-2001
Box 1: 38
Photographs of Franklin, Ruth Payne, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
Photograph of Gray, Carol A., who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
photographs
ca. 2001
Box 1: 40
Photographs of Grigsbury, Dr. J. Eugene, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
Photograph of Harrison, Ralph, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
Photograph
ca. 2001
Box 1: 42
Photographs of Hasker, Ozia, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
Photograph of Hightower, Elmira who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
Photograph and CD's
2001
Box 1: 44
Photograph of Holder, Wardell, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers. Include Culture Keepers CD or DVD.
Photographs
ca. 2001
Box 1: 45
Photographs of Johnson, Morris F. III, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photograph of Jones, Dr. Noland, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
Photographs
ca. 2001
Box 1: 47
Photographs od Landrum-Taylor Leah, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photographs
ca. 2001
Box 1: 48
Photographs of Mack, George, Jr., who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
Photograph
ca. 2001
Box 1: 49
Photograph of Montes, Peggy, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
Photographs
ca. 2001
Box 1: 50
Photographs of Newman, Lorraine G, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photograph
ca. 2001
Box 1: 51
Photograph of Pasha, Miasia with Dr. Johnson-Simon, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photographs and Cards
ca. 2000-2002
Box 1: 52
Photographs and Christmas cards from Robbins, Don and Phyllis, who were interviewees for Culture Keepers.
Photograph and Card
ca. 2003
Box 1: 53
Photograph and card from Robinson, Jeanette, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photographs
ca. 2001
Box 1: 54
Photographs of Saulsberry, Oscar, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers
Photograph
ca. 2001
Box 1: 55
Photograph of Shelton, Jewel, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photograph and Cards
ca. 2001; ca. 2004-2011
Box 1: 56
Photograph and correspondence from Tate, Irvin, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photograph and Letter
ca. 2001
Box 1: 57
Photographs and correspondence from Thomas, Rev. Benjamin, Sr., who was a pastor at Tanner Chapel AME. Rev. Thomas was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photographs
ca. 2001
Box 1: 58
Photographs of Williams, Cody, who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photograph and Cards
ca. 2002
Box 1: 59
Photograph and correspondence from Dorsey, Dona R., who was an interviewee for Culture Keepers.
Photograph
ca. 2001
Box 1: 60
Photographs Tanner Chapel AME, Pilgrim Rest, and the George Washington Carver Museum and Culture Center. Interviews for Culture Keepers were conducted at these places—photographs of Eastlake Park, the place for cultural activities for Black Phoenicians.
Copies of Culture Keepers.
Audio Visual Materials
n.d.
Box 3:
Series 2. Charles 'Chuck' Harrison
1993-2009
Correspondence & Ephemera
ca. 2000-2003
Box 2: 21
Printed Materials/Ephemera
ca. 2001
Box 2: 22
Correspondence & Ephemera
ca. 2001-2002
Box 2: 19
Eugene Winslow's obituary, emails, and Dr. Johnson-Simon's interactions with Charles ‘Chuck’ Harrison, along with a trip to New Orleans, the Grand Canyon, and the DuSable Museum.
Printed Materials & photographs
ca. 2002
Box 2: 23
Correspondence & Ephemera
ca. 2002
Box 2: 20
Cards and correspondence from Chuck, along with his resume and photographs.
Printed Materials & photographs
ca. 2003
Box 2: 24
A Life’s Design: The Life and Work of Industrial Designer by Charles Harrison
ViewMaster Tapes
n.d.
Box 5:
Stereo Pictures/ Visual Materials
Series 3. Subject Files and Correspondence
1959-2015
Ephemera & Photographs
1967 Jun. 11 -- 1959 Apr. 26
Box 1: 1
Graduation programs and photographs of Deborah Ann Williams
Ephemera
ca. 1975-1976
Box 1: 2
Recognition award from Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities and Colleges, A Diploma, certification, and photographs of Deborah Ann King
Ephemera
ca. 1977-1979
Box 1: 3
Precious Jewels article, awards, and certifications to Deborah Ann Simms
Publication
ca. 1990
Box 1: 4
Florida Black Heritage Trail Magazine, which credits Dr. Johnson-Simon
Newspaper
1993 Feb. 2
Box 1: 5
N’Cobra (National Coalition of Blacks for Reparations in America) pamphlet
Ephemera, Photographs & Printed Materials
ca. 1996-1998
Box 1: 7
Photographs, Hampton University Catalog
Manuscript
ca. Fall/Winter 1996-1998
Box 1: 8
“A Concept Paper on The Gandhi-Hamer-King Center for the Study of Religion and Democratic Renewal at the ILIFF School of Theology
Ephemera & Photographs
1997 May 31
Box 1: 9
Graduation announcement and Photographs
Dr. Johnson-Simon's MCBAA Award for being the keynote speaker
Newspaper & Ephemera
ca. 2001
Box 1: 10
Dr. Johnson-Simon's MA graduation cap and newspaper on 2001 Fall commencement at ASU.
Manuscript
2001 Nov.
Box 3:
Dr. Johnson-Simon's Masters Thesis
Dr. Johnson-Simon’s MA degree diploma and certificate in Museum Studies from Arizona State University and photographs
Audio Visual Materials, Ephemera & Artifacts
ca. 2003
Box 1: 11
Photo CD, Cards, Necklace
Photographs
ca. 2003
Box 1: 12
Photographs of Zee Edgell at Santa Fe Community College
Photographs
ca. 2004
Box 1: 13
Photographs from Belize Luba Garifuna Culture Museum
Newspaper
2004 Jan. 22
Box 3:
Ephemera
2004 Feb. 25
Box 3:
Harry B. Shaw Travel Grant Award
Artifact
ca. 2004-2022
Box 3:
Photographs
ca. 2005
Box 1: 14
Photographs from the AAAM Conference 2005 and Anacostia Museum
Photographs
ca. 2007
Box 1: 15
Graduation Photographs from the University of Florida
Ephemera
ca. 2008
Box 1: 16
Cards from her time at Morgan State University
Ephemera & Printed Materials
ca. 2008
Box 1: 17
Abstract
ca. 2012-2014
Box 1: 18
Materials and course information from the University of South Florida Institute on Black Life(IBL) and Department of Africana Studies.
Printed Materials & Ephemera
ca. 2014
Box 1: 19
Emails and conference programs for the University of South Florida – Institute of Black Life Conference 2014.
Photographs & Ephemera
Box 1: 20
Letters, cards, and photos from various individuals
Ephemera, Photographs & Printed Materials
Box 1: 21
Photographs, news articles, magazines, letters, and certificates from Deborah Ann Murphy
Printed Materials
Box 1: 22
A Letter and Mail to Deborah Johnson
Deborah Ann Johnson-Simon's business Cards, commencement programs, certificates, and more
Name tag, notepad, and certificate
Ephemera & administrative materials
Box 1: 25
Visual Materials
Box 1: 26
Center for Civil and Human Rights that Among these are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness
Written Materials
2015 Aug. 20
Box 1: 27
Agenda from the National Association of Professional Women and cards
Series 4. Arizona
2000-2009
Business Cards, Brochures, Name tags, and Photographs
ca. 1993
Box 2: 1
Dr. Johnson-Simon's name tag and the Visitor Studies Association 2001 Annual Conference photographs. Journal article from Vistor Behavior.
Art print, business cards, and card
ca. 1999
Box 2: 2
An art Print, business cards, and a card from Mary Shacklett Gray, a Black artist from Arizona.
Cards, postcards, and photos
ca. 1999-2006
Box 2: 3
Photographs from an event for Danny Glover. Cards from various individuals for various holidays, as well as congratulations for completing her Ph.D. Cards from James F. Franklin, member of the Phoenix Monarch Association and the George Washington Carver Museum Board of Directors. Photographs and cards from Calvin Good. Photographs and cards from Dottie L. Battiest, an alumna of George Washington Carver High School and a member of the Alumni Association.
Cards, invitations, and photos
ca.1999-2006
Box 2: 4
Cards and photographs of Cristy Cannon. Cards from Veronica Velasquez. Cards from Hellene McGriff. Photographs of Dr. Johnson-Simon with Hellene taking classes on education at ASU. An invitation to the 12th Annual Black Recognition Gala hosted by Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.
Photographs
ca. 2000-2002
Box 2: 5
An invitation to Into My World: The Art of Belinda Wilson. Photographs from the restoration of the gallery that housed Into My World.
Cards and Letters
ca. 2000-2007
Box 2: 6
Cards and Letters from individuals from Sahuario Ranch, Glendale, AZ. Dr. Johnson-Simon worked there as the Volunteer Coordinator.
Art prints, a card, and Obituary
ca. 2001
Box 2: 7
Cards that include art prints from Roosevelt “Rip” Woods Jr., a Black artist from Arizona, and his obituary.
Photographs
ca. 2002
Box 2: 8
Photographs of Dr. Johnson-Simon with anthropologist Sandra Jefferson. Photographs from the AAM Conference for the Youth
Photographs
ca. 2002 Jun.
Box 2: 9
Photographs from VFW, a jazz venue in Phoenix.
Photographs from a Las Vegas Festival attended with Tim and Brenda Moore—photographs from the Grand Cayon and a jazz festival at Red Rocks of Sedona.
Membership cards, brochure, and CD
n.d.
Box 2: 11
Dr. Johnson-Simon's NAACP Membership card. Materials from ASU, an untitled CD.
Notecards, Photographs, Business Cards
n.d.
Box 2: 12
Notes, planning, and exhibit on Black Schools in Phoenix.
Series 5. C.T. Vivian Leadership Institute
1968-2013
Administrative Records
ca. 1968-2012
Box 2: 13
Background for Seminary Without Walls.
Printed Materials & Ephemera
ca. 1980
Box 2: 14
Program and Business Cards
Correspondence, Ephemera & Newspapers
ca. 1994-2010
Box 2: 15
Correspondence, Newspapers, and programs
Printed Materials
ca. 2006-2012
Box 2: 16
Printed Materials
2008 Apr. 30
Box 2: 17
State of Georgia Certification of Incorporation
Printed Materials
ca. 2009
Box 2: 18
Visual Materials
ca. 2011
Box 2: 19
Sketches/draw up’s for the CTVLI
Administrative Records
ca. 2011-2013
Box 2: 20
Meeting minutes and agendas from the CTLI Board of Directors 2011-2013.
Printed Materials
2012 Mar. 23
Box 2: 21
Walker Rodney Symposium program
Printed Materials
2012 Dec.
Box 2: 22
Administrative Records
ca. 2012
Box 2: 23
By-Laws, Conflict of Interest Policy, Certification of Incorporation, and Executive Board for CTVLI.
Printed Materials
ca. 2013
Box 2: 24
Administrative Records
n.d.
Box 2: 25
"Money for College Students" Program and CTVLI company overview.
Printed materials
n.d.
Box 2: 26
Background information on the C.T. & Octavia Vivian Museum and Archives.
Printed Material
n.d.
Box 2: 27
Moorehouse College Martin Luther King Jr. Collection magazine
Printed Materials
n.d.
Box 2: 28
The African-American Leadership Portrait Gallery
Series 6. C.T. Vivian
1993-2021
Challenge and Change: The Story of Civil Rights Activist C.T. Vivian
Correspondence
2003 Aug. 15
Box 2: 30
Letter from National Voting Rights Museum & Institute to C.T. Vivian.
Ephermera
2011 May 13
Box 2: 31
Octavia Vivian's Obituary.
Ephermera
ca. 2011
Box 2: 32
Program from C.T. Vivian’s 85th Birthday Celebration
Newspapers
ca. 2012
Box 2: 33
Newspapers/Printed Materials
ca. 2012-2013
Box 2: 34
Print off's and news articles on C.T. Vivian.
Printed Materials
2013
Box 3:
Binder of research for the Octavia Vivan Collection
Newspapers & Ephemera
ca. 2013-2014
Box 2: 35
Program and newspapers on C.T. Vivian
Newspapers & Printed Materials
ca. 2021
Box 2: 36
Administrative information
Search terms
Subjects
- African American anthroplogist
African Americans--Museums
Anthropology--United States--History
Ethnology--United States--History
