Bertron M. Jackson Family Collection
Collection
Identifier: MSS 0148
Scope and Contents
This collection document the career and family life of Bertron Jackson, the editor and publisher of the Galveston Examiner, president of Houston National Association of Industrial Labor for Colored People, President of Goldsound Recording Studio and Dance Band, founder of the First Universal Church of Christ Astrology and author. It contains legal documents, newspapers, photos, real estate deals, business licenses, essays, literary writings, legal records, programs and correspondence related to the civic an business activies of Bertron M. Jackson in Houston, Texas and Los Angeles California from 1918-1986. Included in this collection are the only known surviving copies of the Examiner , which was published from 1938 to 1942. A microfilm copy is available for researcers. The collection will be of interest to researchers of African American history, journalism, literature, business and religion.
Dates
- 1918-1986
Creator
- Jackson, Berton M. (Person)
Conditions Governing Access
This collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Use
Permission to publish or reproduce materials from Bertron M. Jackson Family Collection must be obtained from the African American Library at the Gregory School or the appropriate copyright holder.
Biographical / Historical
Bertron M. Jackson was one of the first African American editors and publishers for the Galveston Examiner Newspaper. Born in Beaumont, Texas in 1912, he graduated from Phillis Wheatley High School in 1933. Following his graduation, he pursued a variety of business ventures. For a time, (1936-38) he served as Superintendent of Walls Beauty College in Houston, reporting directly to Roxie Walls, who owned and presided over the institution. Following that, he published and edited the Galveston Examiner (1938-41) until he was punitively drafted by local whites into the armed forces in a successful attempt by them to force him to suspend publication of his newspaper.
Mr. Jackson’s short military career landed him in southern California, where he continued both his education and business activities. Attendance at the Pacific Coast University College of Law led Mr. Jackson into partnership with several lawyers and into real estate. He also worked for Douglass and Lockheed aircraft corporations and operated Hollywood Gold sound Producers which pioneered in the new field of musical radio commercials. It was also in California that Mr. Jackson became an ordained minister of the First Church of Deliverance. Since his return to Houston from California, Rev. Jackson has remained active in many business and civic activities. Rev. Jackson continued his involvement in businesses and civic activities until his death in June 1993.
Mr. Jackson’s short military career landed him in southern California, where he continued both his education and business activities. Attendance at the Pacific Coast University College of Law led Mr. Jackson into partnership with several lawyers and into real estate. He also worked for Douglass and Lockheed aircraft corporations and operated Hollywood Gold sound Producers which pioneered in the new field of musical radio commercials. It was also in California that Mr. Jackson became an ordained minister of the First Church of Deliverance. Since his return to Houston from California, Rev. Jackson has remained active in many business and civic activities. Rev. Jackson continued his involvement in businesses and civic activities until his death in June 1993.
Extent
4 Linear Feet (5 boxes)
Language of Materials
English
Arrangement
Materials are arranged chronologically by topic.
Transfer Note
These records were formerly housed at the Houston Metropolitan Research Center, Houston Public Library as MSS 285 Bertron M. Jackson Family Collection and were transferred to the African American
Library at the Gregory School, Houston Public Library in February 2019.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Donated by Bertron M. Jackson, 1985
Processing Information
Processed by Howard Beeth, November 1986
- African American businesspeople Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Authors and publishers Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Civic leaders -- Houston (Tex.) Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
- Jackson, Berton M.
- Men in church work -- Texas -- Houston Subject Source: Library of Congress Subject Headings
Creator
- Jackson, Berton M. (Person)
- Title
- MSS 0148 Bertron M. Jackson Family Collection
- Subtitle
- An inventory of his records at the African American Library at the Gregory School, Houston Public Library
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- Undetermined
- Script of description
- Code for undetermined script
Repository Details
Part of the Gregory School Repository
