A Candle in the Dark Gala Collection

Collection

Identifier: 0000-0000-0000-0012

Staff Only

Scope and contents

The Candle in the Dark Gala Collection includes various administrative documents related to the event's planning, such as meeting notes and correspondence. The collection also features programs from each year the gala has taken place, along with memorabilia and audiovisual materials that capture the event’s history.

Dates

Creation: 1988 - 2024
Creation: Majority of material found within 1980 - 2004

Creator

Morehouse College (Atlanta, Ga.) (Organization)

Rights Statement

All materials in this collection are either protected by copyright or are the property of the Robert W. Woodruff Library of the Atlanta University Center, Morehouse College Archives, and/or the copyright holder as appropriate. For more information, please contact archives@auctr.edu.

Historical note

Morehouse College, originally founded as Augusta Institute in 1867 by Rev. William Jefferson White in Augusta, Georgia, began as a school to prepare Black men for ministry and teaching. It relocated to Atlanta in 1879, evolving through several name changes, eventually becoming Morehouse College in 1913. The institution has produced numerous influential leaders, and has expanded its academic offerings and campus over the years. Morehouse has earned a reputation for excellence in education, leadership, and service, with significant contributions to civil rights and higher education for African Americans. Among the college’s most prestigious events is the “A Candle in the Dark” Gala, an annual celebration held during Founder’s Week each February. Established in 1989 by alumni Robert H. Bolton (’86) and Hardy R. Franklin (’83), this event honors African Americans who have made exceptional contributions to various fields, including business, law, education, science, and entertainment. The gala is a major fundraiser for student scholarships and a highlight of the college’s social calendar.

Extent

6.67 Linear feet (1 oversize box)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Arrangement

This collection is arranged into four series: Administrative, Printed and Published, Ephemera, and Audiovisual Materials. Administrative materials include gala planning documents; Printed and Published items feature event posters and programs; Ephemera contains souvenir items; and Audiovisual Materials include event images and audio. Items in each series are organized alphabetically, then chronologically.