Rodney L. Griffin Collection
Collection
Identifier: MSS 0023
Scope and Contents
The Rodney L. Griffin collection contains personal materials, which date from 1961 to 2009, that chronicle his experiences in the first desegregated Houston high school chess tournament in the 1960s. This collection consists of newspaper articles, photographs, and an election flyer. Researchers interested in urban high school clubs and activities after desegregation will find this a valuable resource.
Dates
- 1961 - 2009
Language of Materials
All materials are in English.
Access Restrictions
This collection is open for research.
Use Restrictions
Permission to publish or reproduce materials from the Rodney L. Griffin Collection must be obtained from the African American Library at the Gregory School or the appropriate copyright holder.
Biographical note
Rodney Griffin is businessman and community leader in the Missouri City community who functioned as the presiding Election Judge, as the Precinct 2059 as the Democratic Chair, and as the State Democratic Executive Committeeman at the Texas Democratic Convention in 2014. In 2016, he was re-elected to the Texas Democratic Party Executive Committee.
A native Houstonian, Rodney L. Griffin was born at Hermann Memorial Hospital on November 4, 1946, to William L. and Margaret Griffin. He attended B.H. Grimes Elementary School, Worthing High School and graduated from Jack Yates High School. Rodney Griffin holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin. He is married Jan West and they have four children, Elizabeth Bert, William, Omari, and Brook. Raised in the Sunnyside community, Rodney and his family witnessed a meeting with Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., at the Saint John Baptist Church with Reverend Malone, during one of Reverend King’s visits to Houston in 1957. Reverend King delivered an “inspirational speech,” says Mr. Griffin.
A native Houstonian, Rodney L. Griffin was born at Hermann Memorial Hospital on November 4, 1946, to William L. and Margaret Griffin. He attended B.H. Grimes Elementary School, Worthing High School and graduated from Jack Yates High School. Rodney Griffin holds a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Texas at Austin. He is married Jan West and they have four children, Elizabeth Bert, William, Omari, and Brook. Raised in the Sunnyside community, Rodney and his family witnessed a meeting with Reverend Martin Luther King Jr., at the Saint John Baptist Church with Reverend Malone, during one of Reverend King’s visits to Houston in 1957. Reverend King delivered an “inspirational speech,” says Mr. Griffin.
Extent
0.25 Linear Feet (1)
Arrangement note
The collection is arranged by subject and material type.
Acquisition Information
Donated by: Rodney L. Griffin, March 2010
Processing Information
Processed by: Vince Lee, June 2010
- African American men -- Texas -- Houston Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- African Americans Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- African Americans—Texas—Houston Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Worthing High School Subject Source: Local sources
- Title
- MSS 0023 Rodney L.Griffin Collection
- Subtitle
- An Inventory of his Records at the African American Library at the Gregory School, Houston Public Library
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- Vince Lee
- Date
- June 2010
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
- Language of description note
- Finding aid written in English.
Repository Details
Part of the Gregory School Repository
