The present collection is the result of a ten year effort to create a documentary history of the National Association of Negro Musicians, begun by Eileen Southern and completed after her death by Doris Evans McGinty.

The collection falls into four series, the first of which contains many of the documents used in the book, including newspaper and magazine articles, letters, reports, minutes and speeches. Each folder in this section contains the original document or closest extant example of the original, and at least one typescript transcript of the material. The materials are organized according to their order in the book with a section of unused materials at the end. There is also a typescript of the book at the end of the collection.

The second series contains papers relating to the production and publication of the book. Included in this section are: correspondence, grant proposals, receipts, interviews and questionnaires.

The third series contains other documents from NANM. These documents include programs from concerts, national convention programs, board reports, correspondence, outside articles on NANM functions, biographies and obituaries of NANM members, and assorted administrative materials.

The fourth series is dedicated to general research materials which include photographs, obituaries and memorial programs, newsletters, clippings, audio tapes of interviews, and assorted articles on NANM members and related topics.