The materials in the Compton Communicative Arts Academy (CCAA) archive were created from 1968-1985 by Communicative Arts Academy’s (CAA) coordinator of photography, Willie Ford. The bulk of this collection contains negatives ranging from 35mm negatives, 35mm negative slides, and 120mm negatives followed by photographs, and publications. The visual narrative contains information on events surrounding the CCA. The collection details a visual historical narrative of the city of Compton through the arts. The collection documents and preserves Black memory, testimony, tradition, and culture in Compton.

Some of the materials for the Compton Communicative Arts Academy have been digitized on the Online Archive of California (OAC) a free domain accessible to the public. The 200 items in this digital collection were selected from an unorganized collection of over 4,100 photographs, negatives, slides and ephemera by two faculty members from the Library and the Liberal Studies Department. The criteria for selection were images that illustrated buildings, places, programming, artwork, performances, people, events, and Willie Ford as a photographer. This phase of the project was part of the California Local History Digital Resources Project supported by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act, administered in California by the State Librarian.

Series I: Negatives Inclusive Dates: 1968-1985 Arrangement: Chronological followed by Alphabetical Subseries a: 120mm Negatives

This large series contains three subseries: a.120mm negatives, b. 35mm negatives, and c. 35mm slides. Subseries a. begins in chronological order from the year 1971 and ends in the year 1985. Theron, it follows in alphabetical order due to lack of dates. The chronological negatives consists of; a Head Start graduation ceremony (1971), Muhammad Ali posing with the local community (1972), and close-ups of Elliott Pinkney’s murals (1977). The negatives in alphabetical order consist of; Compton’s “Harriet Tubman” High School, performances by The Communicative Arts Academy’s (CAA) band “The Communicative Artists,” recording session in CAA, CAA dance and sculpture courses taking place. The negatives also demonstrate ties to Compton’s local community, in Watts Elliott Pinkney paints murals and in Los Angeles there are field trips taken to City Hall. Outside of California, Willie Ford’s negatives capture trips to St. Louis, Missouri and New York. Finally, the negatives include prominent people such as Jackie King, John Outterbridge, Ken Davis, Ken Daughtry, and Leon Ralph. Subseries b.begins in chronological order from the years 1971-1980 and then follows in alphabetical order. The chronological negatives range from a Robeson Players performance (1973) to a festival by the name of Watts Summer (1974). Finally, the negatives in alphabetical order include; California Arts Academy (CAA) art workshops taking place along with artist productions including paintings and theatrical performances by Cynthia Mosely, Ken Davis, and John Outterbridge. Subseries c. is solely in chronological order from 1968-1975. The negative slides include; a wide range self-portraits consisting of musicians and depictions of Compton as an environment. The later, consists of local shops, streets, public transportation, and Compton’s State Historic Landmark “The Heritage House”. Finally, the undated material contains panoramic views of CAA’s Arena and the “American Hotel” in Los Angeles.

Series II: Photographs Inclusive Dates: u.d. Arrangement: Alphabetical

This series consist of 69 photographs taken by Willie Ford. The photographs include; scenes from “5 on the Blackhandside”, portraits of the Dance Troupe led by Wanda Brown, the first facility of the Communicative Arts Academy (CAA) also known as the “Happening House,” the CAA Arena, and portraits of prominent figures in the CAA including Artistic Director John Outterbridge, Music Director Troy Robinson, and Art Historian Dr. Carol Greene. Series III: Publications Inclusive Dates: 1970-1980 Arrangement: Alphabetical This small series consists of pamphlets created by Willie Ford and Elliott Pinkney, the pamphlets were used to promote the “Communicative Arts Academy Inc.” in Compton and contain a list of workshops offered along with their according schedules. The series also includes a magazine titled Neworld from the Spring of 1975, it contains an article titled “The Communicative Arts Academy: A Means of Fulfillment” by Cynthia Bayete which details the origins of The Communicative Arts Academy, Incorporated. In addition, the series includes a booklet, “Murals in Compton: A California Arts Council Special Project” it focuses on the murals of Elliott Pinkney, their locations, and his thoughts on having the city of Compton as a canvas for his art.

Series III: Publications Inclusive Dates: 1970-1980 Arrangement: Alphabetical

This small series consists of pamphlets created by Willie Ford and Elliott Pinkney, the pamphlets were used to promote the “Communicative Arts Academy Inc.” in Compton and contain a list of workshops offered along with their according schedules. The series also includes a magazine titled Neworld from the Spring of 1975, it contains an article titled “The Communicative Arts Academy: A Means of Fulfillment” by Cynthia Bayete which details the origins of The Communicative Arts Academy, Incorporated. In addition, the series includes a booklet, “Murals in Compton: A California Arts Council Special Project” it focuses on the murals of Elliott Pinkney, their locations, and his thoughts on having the city of Compton as a canvas for his art.