W. Melvin Brown, Jr., papers

The collection contains materials relating to the personal and professional life of W. Melvin Brown Jr. It includes personal documents, correspondence, photographs, printed materials, as well as various other materials pertaining to Brown's professional and civic endeavors. Materials in the collection date from the early 1950s until the year 2005, with bulk dates spanning the years 1975-1994.

Series 1. Biographical includes a scrapbook containing obituaries, photographs and other memorabilia from Brown and his family, as well as newspaper and magazine clippings concerning Brown and his company, American Development Corporation (ADCOR). The series encompasses Brown's many accolades, certificates and plaques, which were given to him throughout his professional career-including his induction into the South Carolina Business Hall of Fame, his high school diplomas and Master's degrees. Additionally, it contains visual material, such as photographs dating from Brown's high school days in the early 1950s; up until before his death in 1994, as well as a recorded interview and video profile for Legacy of Leadership, a 26-part series honoring South Carolina Business Hall of Fame laureates. Speeches and essays written by Brown, as well as datebooks and his graduate school transcripts can also be found in the series. The series also contains items from Brown's funeral services in 1994, including memorial books and visitor's registries.

Series 2. Professional Career and Affiliations is comprised of materials dealing with Brown's work at ADCOR and various other community and professional organizations including the South Carolina State Public Service Authority, the Board of Directors of NationsBank, the Athenian Social Club, and the Board of Visitors at Clemson University.

Series 3. Financial contains fiscal records and documents, like tax receipts, home mortgages and real estate appraisals. ADCOR's consolidated financial statements and profit sharing plan can also be found in this series.

Series 4. Periodicals, Bound Items and Ephemera consists of magazines, journals, other bound items and ephemera including Brown's 1964 Master's thesis from Atlanta University, issues of Black Enterprise magazine, a calendar commemorating his professional accomplishments and miscellaneous identification and membership cards belonging to him and his wife.

Series 5. Correspondence is comprised of Brown's personal and professional correspondence, as well as posthumous correspondence, such as condolence letters addressed to his wife after Brown's death in 1994.

Series 6. Brown Family includes W. Melvin Brown III's report cards and a biographical sketch on the Brown family, entitled, To Walk with Kings and Not Lose the Common Touch.

Series 7. Oversize Material contains a large banner advertising an A.M.E. church Pentecost event.