Mary Ann Black papers

Collection

Identifier: NCC-0005

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection consists of reports, memoranda, transcriptions of speeches, correspondence, newspaper clippings, pamphlets, and various other materials. The materials range in date from 1964-2009, with the bulk of them dating from 1990-2000. Most pertain to Mary Ann Black's service on the Durham County Board of Commissioners, and many relate to the 1992 Durham public school merger. Other materials in the collection relate to Black's time with the Duke University Health System, as well as to her personal and family life. Other important topics and subjects covered include Black's elections, community health and wellness, education, and child services.

Dates

1964 - 2014

Conditions Governing Access

This collection is open for research.

Conditions Governing Use

There are no restrictions on the use of this material except where previously copyrighted material is concerned. It is the responsibility of the researcher to obtain all permissions.

Biographical / Historical

Mary Ann Black was born in 1943 in New York. Her family soon relocated to South Carolina, where Black spent the rest of her youth. Her father, Reverend Solomon Eaddy, served as the long- time pastor for Mount Carmel Baptist Church in Timmonsville, South Carolina. Black received her BA from Benedict College and went on to earn a masters in social work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, which she completed in 1970.

From 1970 to 1973, Black worked as a social worker in the Durham County school system. Following this, she held a position in the Child Guidance Clinic within Duke University's Department of Psychiatry. Beginning in 1981, Black opened her own psychotherapy private practice, where she worked with adults and children, focusing on families in crisis. Black was recognized for her outstanding career as a social worker with the Social Worker of the Year national award in 1994.

Long interested in community development, Black ran for and won a seat on the Durham County Board of Commissioners in 1990. She served on the board from 1990-2002 and served as chair of the board from 1996-2002. Among her many accomplishments throughout her time with the Board of Commissioners, Black was a strong advocate for the Durham public school merger, an initiative that she oversaw and directed from 1991-1993.

After her service on the Board of Commissioners, Black returned to work at Duke University, this time as the director of community affairs for Duke University Health System. As of 2015, Black is a consulting associate in psychiatric social work in Duke's Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and is the Associate Vice President of Community Relations for Duke University Health Systems.

Extent

2.75 Linear Feet (4 boxes: 3 document boxes, 1 flat box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

The Mary Ann Black Papers, 1964-2009, include materials from Black's time with the Durham County Board of Commissioners and with the Duke University Health System, as well as some personal materials. The bulk of the materials date from 1990-2000. Many of the materials relate to the Durham public school merger in the early 1990s.

Arrangement

The collection is divided into four series. The first series contains materials relating to the Durham County Board of Commissioners; the second series contains materials relating to the Duke University Health System; the third series contains materials relating to Black's personal life, including awards and honors; and the fourth series includes oversize materials.