<table>
  <tr>
    <td>NEW HOPE FOR HEARTS</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>--- SUPPORT ---</td>
  </tr>
  <tr>
    <td>THE HEART FUND</td>
  </tr>
</table>

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th St.
New York City
N.Y.

116-10th Avenue North
Birmingham, Alabama

February 28, 1947

Mr. Langston Hughes

Atlanta University

Atlanta, Georgia

Dear Mr. Hughes;

It was a pleasant surprise to hear your voice over
the phone on last Sunday morning. I regret very much
that I could not find it convenient so we could have our
usual "chat", but I know you will be coming back to the
Magic City.

The Birmingham public received you with a warm welcome,
as one lady remarked to me, "Your name is like Magic".

Mr. Hughes I would like for you to send me the name
and address of persons who direct and produce Negro dramatic
guilds, groups little theatres etc. Any time before the
end of the school term will be okeh.

November 16, 1956

Dear Ethel:

Thank you very much for returning the script to me. It came just at the
right time as another group had written to ask for a comedy script and
so I have sent it out again.

It was nice having such a long letter from you telling me about all the
things your group is doing which sounds so useful and stimulating. All
I know about my working on THE STREET is what I read in JET. I had heard
nothing about it before, and regret to say I have heard nothing about it
since. But JET is what I call a newsy little magazine.

In my new autobiographical travelogue just out, I WONDER AS I WANDER, the
entire first section is about the trip which Zell and I made to Haiti.
I gave Zell an advance copy about a month ago and have not seen hide nor
hear of him since, so maybe he did not like what I wrote about him, or
maybe he lives too far up in the Bronx to even telephone.

What do you reckon has happened to the Gilpin Players since they have their
new million dollar theatre - but do practically no plays by or about
Negroes anymore. Last spring they were doing THE KING AND I, and they are
now doing SOUTH PACIFIC according to a friend of mine who has just returned
from Cleveland. I see nothing wrong with doing Broadway rehashes but wish such
plays are done almost exclusively in a theatre that became famous because
of the attention it paid to Negro themes and Negro creativity, I wonder if
they do not want to be famous anymore. Any little theatre in the country
can do old Broadway plays. But the Gilpins used to have a unique and ex-
citing program which no other group in the country had. That seemingly
is not true anymore. Do you happen to know why?

All my good wishes to you and your husband, as ever,

Mrs. Ethel Tann
Negro Actors Associated
P. O. Box 18854, Cimarron Station
Los Angeles 18, Calif.

Now, with an enthusiastic cast, already rehearsed
most of us believe we could seek a smaller theatre,
interested backers, and take this shoe string, which
we are accustomed to and run it a while. What's your
plan or opinion?

Our organization, Negro Actors Associated are
willing to work in this direction. As a start, we
need your written permission to the rights. We can't
begin to deal otherwise.

This is our advantage, four good reviews, and
at least some publicity, we can cash in on, if this
thing is worked, while the irons are hot. The rights
from you, are our starting point. I do know however
the hardship this works on you, but we are willing
to give it a try.

We have met potential backers, for a small pro-
duction. We would probably pick more, with an intimate
theatre production. Spencer 'Andy' Williams is willing
to give us aid. (Essayed Bodidly).

My idea is a small production, aiming at a 'Frisco
legit production, dependant on the run and success it
recieves and enjoys here.

Another selling point is, we are already rehearsed
and only a short rehearsal period, for this cast is
necessary.

Now, if you have other plans for the play, let
me know and all of us will come out of our misery.
Or, if possible please give us something in writing,
that we may begin some kind of negotiations. Since,
Negro Actors Associated, as you know, are without
great funds, I have to write you instead of your agent.
Hope you think this idea is feasable. Walt would pro-
bably be retained as director, if you requested. Or
I would undertake the job of sharpening and making
necessary adjustments. URGENT...pro or con...URGENT.
As you might not know of my work...check with Fred
Lights...who was my classmate at Yale. Mae Henderson
who is our business manager. Things will be in sin-
cere and good hands.

P.S. Home address

2140 West 20th
LA 18,

C O P Y

ROBERT H. DE COY
DIRECTOR

REPUBLIC 5-0593
RYAN 1-6856

NEGRO ACTORS ASSOCIATED
P.O. BOX 18854, Cimarron Station
Los Angeles 18, California

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York 35, New York

Dear Langston:

No doubt the reverberations of the Scott-Kirk fiasco with SIMPLY HEAVENLY have reached and probably shook New York, probably justifying a change in title to "Simply Hell."

Walt, as director, fought hard to make it go. But naivete and exhuberance are hardly weapons, or even protection against grand larceny. I went into the lead, four days before opening.

Reviews went, Four good, two bad; and you might discount one as the review was written long before the opening. (MIRROR NEWS) The lady just didn't like the material, priding herself a professional liberal.¹

Now, I do not know what plans you might have, but here is what we would like to do. (After the closing and a four day run) Audiences began to appear. On Wednesday of this week (CLOSING NIGHT) we saw over sixty people turned away. About the same on Thursday. We learned last night, that there was ample call to merit a week-end showing. Even Scott and Kirk were amenable.

Last night we called a meeting of the cast members, to discuss the possibilities of giving the show a chance. The former producers, avowing they just wanted to keep the house open til, April 4th. and their next production, were willing to let us have the house, only if we undertook the expenses.

The assembled cast, sans two or three were present still want to go the show, giving it a chance. I ask, and learned that they, the producers, did not actually have any semblance of an option to the rights.

This is our advantage, four good reviews, and at least some publicity, we can cash on, if this thing is worked, while thefrons are hot. The rights from you, are our starting point. I do know however the hardship this works on you, but we are willing to give it a gry.

We have met potential backers, for a small production. We would probably pick more, with an intimate theatre production. Spencer 'Andy' Williams is willing to give us aid. (Essayed Bodidly).

My idea is at small production, aiming at a Frisco legit production,
dependent on the run and success it revieves and enjoys here.

Now, if you have other plans for the play, let me know and all of us will
come out of our misery. Or, if possible please give us something in writing, that
we may begin some kind of negotiations. Since, Negro Actors Associated, as you know,
are without great funds, I have to write you instead of your agent. Hope you think
this idea is feasable. Walt would probably be retained as director, if you requested,
Or I would undertake the job of sharpening and making necessary adjustments. URGENT...
pro or con...URGENT. As you might not know of my work...check with Fred Lights...
who was my classmate at Yale. Mae Henderson who is our business manager. Things will
be in sincere and good hands.

C O P Y

ROBERT H. DE COY
DIRECTOR

REPUBLIC 5-0593
RYAN 1-6856

Dear Langston:

Walt, as director, fought hard to make it go. But naivete and exuberance are hardly weapons, or even protection against grand larceny. I went into the lead, four days before opening.

Last night we called a meeting of the cast members, to discuss the possibilities of giving the show a chance. The former producers, avowing they just wanted to keep the house open til April 4th. and their next production, were willing to let us have the house, only if we undertook the expenses.

This is our advantage, four good reviews, and at least some publicity, we can cash on, if this thing is worked, while the fons are hot. The rights from you, are our starting point. I do know however the hardship this works on you, but we are willing to give it a try.

We have met potential backers, for a small production. We would probably pick more, with an intimate theatre production. Spencer 'Andy' Williams is willing to give us aid. (Essayed Bodily).

My idea is a small production, aiming at a Trisco legit production,
dependent on the run and success it revieves and enjoys here.

Now, if you have other plans for the play, let me know and all of us will
come out of our misery. Or, if possible please give us something in writing, that
we may begin some kind of negotiations. Since, Negro Actors Associated, as you know,
are without great funds, I have to write you instead of your agent. Hop you think
this idea is feasible. Walt would probably be retained as director, if you requested,
Or I would undertake the job of sharpening and making necessary adjustments. URGENT...
pro or con...URGENT. As you might not know of my work...check with Fred Lights...
who was my classmate at Yale. Mae Henderson who is our business manager. Things will
be in sincere and good hands.

Obligingly yours

(Signed)

Bob De Coy

P.S. Home address 2140 West 20th, Los Angeles 13, Cal.

C O P Y

ROBERT H. DE COY
DIRECTOR

REPUBLIC 5-0593
RYAN 1-6856

Dear Langston:

Now, I do not know what plans you might have, but here is what we would like to do. (After the closing and a four day run) Audiences began to appear. On Wednesday of this week (CLOSING NIGHT) we saw over sixty people turned away. About the same on Thursday. We learned last night, that there was an ample call to merit a week-end showing. Even Scott and Kirk were amenable.

Last night we called a meeting of the cast members, to discuss the possibilities of giving the show a chance. The former producers, avowing they just wanted to keep the house open til, April 4th, and their next production, were willing to let us have the house, only if we undertook the expenses.

Now, if you have other plans for the play, let me know and all of us will
come out of our misery. Or, if possible please give us something in writing, that
we may begin some kind of negotiations. Since, Negro Actors Associated, as you know,
are without great funds, I have to write you instead of your agent. Hope you think
this idea is feasible. Walt would probably be retained as director, if you requested,
Or I would undertake the job of sharpening and making necessary adjustments. URGENT...
pro or con...URGENT. As you might not know of my work...check with Fred Lights...
who was my classmate at Yale. Mae Henderson who is our business manager. Things will
be in sincere and good hands.

C O P Y

ROBERT H. DE COY
DIRECTOR

REPUBLIC 5-0593
RYAN 1-6856

Dear Langston:

My idea is a small production, aiming at a Frisco legit production, dependent on the run and success it revieves and enjoys here.

February 28, 1958

Dear Bob deCoy:

Thank you very much for your continued interest
in SIMPLY HEAVENLY, even after its closing.
I'd be delighted for you and the others to
salvage it and make a run of it in a smaller
theatre. To that end I have asked my agents
to offer you the very minimum terms possible -
in other words, no fixed performance fee or
set guarantee, but merely the customary "off-
Broadway" percentage. I trust that this will
be satisfactory and that you have already
heard from Miss Anne Louise Davis at the
Harold Ober office in New York.

Tonight I am working on four new songs for the
London production and if you get the show back
on the boards in California, perhaps we might
put these new songs into it there. At any
rate I hope to be on the Coast soon and hope
that I shall have the pleasure of meeting
you and hearing about the West Coast production.

With all good wishes, I am

NEGRO AMERICAN LABOR COUNCIL

A. PHILIP RANDOLPH
NATIONAL PRESIDENT

National Fund Raising Committee

P.O. Box 133, Colonial Park Station

New York, New York 10039

JAMES E. SMITH
CO-CHAIRMAN

GERRI STARKEY
BOOK CHAIRMAN

CORINNE FOLSOM SMITH
CHAIRMAN

WAVEN O. WEBB
Co-CHAIRMAN

ERNESTINE EUELL
JOURNAL CHAIRMAN

November 10, 1964

Mr. Langston Hughes
20 East 127th Street
New York, N Y

Dear Mr. Hughes:

Despite the many and varied demands that are made on your time, we
will wager that you have never been asked to cook for a cause. So
we are asking you.

Here's the idea: On Saturday, December 5th, from 3 to 8 PM, at 217 W 125th St., we are sponsoring an indoor cook-out, featuring only those foods and dishes that have been prepared by distinguished men such as yourself. It is completely up to you whether you stew, broil, fry, roast or boil. Simply bring or send your culinary masterpiece and we will set it up on a table, inscribed with your name and the name of your dish. Finally, we are hopeful that you will personally preside over the goodies that you have cooked.

We will sell the food to our guests - who certainly should have a great deal of fun tasting what you celebrity chefs have to offer. And all funds raised from the indoor cook-out will be given to the scholarship needs of the recently formed A. Philip Randolph Leaders of Tomorrow, a dynamic teen-age group.

So, what is it that you can cook better than any woman? Hot dogs?
Collard greens? Smothered pork chops? Arroz con pollo? Hamburgers?
Barbecue? Chicken? Etc.

You will say yes, won't you?

Evelyn Cunningham Haynes
Honorary Chairman

P. S. If there are further details you need, please call Au 3-9379
Evenings Au 1-5636

NEGRO COMMUNITY CENTER
Incorporated

66 West Main Street, Stamford, Conn.
Tel. 4-1269

HONORARY BOARD

Rev. W. M. Wilson
Rev. G. T. Simms
Rev. W. L. Baxter

OFFICERS

Dr. Joyce Y. Carwin, President
Rev. Allen Hackett, Vice-President
Miss Nelda Green, Secretary
Mr. H. H. Williams, Treasurer

STAFF

Mrs. Eva G. Sawyer, Director

Mrs. Marie Badham, Secretary

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Mrs. Edna Edgerton
Attorney Arvey Wood
Mrs. Ferdinand Monjo
Mr. H. L. Moore
Mrs. J. King Hoyt
Miss Sarah Smith
Mr. Hubert Mintz
Miss Mildred Wilcox
Mr. Frank Altschul
Dr. J. L. Carwin
Mr. Regina L. Neuwein
Mrs. Lois Perry
Mrs. Cornelia Blackshear
Mrs. Ruth Terry
Mrs. Bertha Walker

October 23, 1944

Mr. Langston Hughes
634 St. Nicholas Avenue
New York City

Dear Mr. Hughes:

The members of the Negro Community Center of Stamford
wish to thank you most kindly for your presence and con-
tribution towards making our anniversary week a success.

The fact that you made a hit with the children is
proved by one of our high school boys, Harold Long, who was
so inspired by you that he wrote a paper about the day you
spent with us. We shall attempt to secure a copy of this
paper from the high school to send you.

It was good to have you here and we hope you will find
it convenient to come again in the near future.

WE ARE A COMMUNITY CHEST AGENCY

November 30, 1959

Mr. David A. Brown,
393 Grand Avenue,
Brooklyn 38, New York.

Dear Mr. Brown:

Thank you very much for your kind invitation to address VIEWPOINT at N. Y. U. where I remember with pleasure past Negro History Week appearances. But I must regretfully decline since for almost the entire month of February I will be in the Middlewest on a tour of colleges there, booked since last Spring. I hope some other time I may be of service to your club of whose objectives I greatly approve.

Kindly give my best regards to Prof. Alpenfels whom I have had the pleasure of meeting and hearing her talk.

Perhaps my PICTORIAL HISTORY OF THE NEGRO (Crown) and my record, THE GLORY OF NEGRO HISTORY (Folkways) might be of use to the club during Negro History Week. I'm sending you a folder of my recordings.

THE SAN FRANCISCO
NEGRO HISTORICAL AND CULTURAL SOCIETY

AFFILIATED WITH THE
ASSOCIATION FOR THE STUDY OF NEGRO LIFE AND HISTORY

OFFICERS

JAMES HERNDON
PRESIDENT

FRANCES MILLER
VICE PRESIDENT

ONITA HICKS
SECRETARY

LULA CARTER
ASST. SECRETARY

LANNIE C. SHOLARS
TREASURER

JOSEPH BRANCHCOMB
LIBRARIAN

1570 Golden Gate Avenue
November 20, 1958

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN

LUCILLE H. GRAY
CURRENT AFFAIRS

WALTER DUNCAN
AFRICAN AFFAIRS

WILLIAM JACOBS
PROGRAMS AND PROJECTS

HELEN O. LITTLE
PUBLIC RELATIONS

Dear Mr. Hughes:

Recently Mrs. Ida Hodes of the San Francisco State
College Poetry Center discussed your forthcoming Bay Area appearances
with me. During the conversation, I asked her about the possibilities
of our organization--The San Francisco Negro Historical and Cultural
Society--sponsoring an informal reception for you. We both feel it
would be a good thing if Negroes here on the West Coast--especially
young Negroes--have opportunities to meet distinguished, creative
Negroes like you.

If your time allows for a reception, and if you
feel disposed, please let me know as soon as possible.

180

Ans. by card---Will
phone if car needed
and will bring
books/ L.H. 12-9-58

THE SAN FRANCISCO

OFFICERS

JAMES HERNDON
PRESIDENT

FRANCES MILLER
VICE PRESIDENT

ONITA HICKS
SECRETARY

LULA CARTER
ASST. SECRETARY

LANNIE C. SHOLARS
TREASURER

JOSEPH BRANCHCOMB
LIBRARIAN

COMMITTEE CHAIRMEN

WALTER DUNCAN
AFRICAN AFFAIRS

180

1570 Golden Gate Avenue

December 6, 1958

Mr. Langston Hughes
% S. F. State College Poetry Center
1600 Holloway Avenue
San Francisco, California

Dear Mr. Hughes:

This letter comes to inform you of the details on the meeting of the S. F. Negro Historical and Cultural Society. The meeting is set for Sunday afternoon, December 14, 3:30 p.m. at Westminister Presbyterian Church, Page and Webster streets, S. F. It should be over by 5:30. If you write me or phone me at FI 6-7611 transportation will be provided.

Originally we had hoped to hold an informal house party for you but because you will be free only on a Sunday we have been forced to modify our plans to some extent. Our regular meeting was scheduled for the 14th. This meeting was canceled in order to give our members the opportunity to meet you. We would be grateful if you would make a few remarks--on any topic you choose--and perhaps answer a few questions, which, I am sure, our members will ask about your works. A reception will follow.

We are in no position to offer an honorarium for your appearance however much we would like. We shall make every effort to sell copies of your books and to provide an evening that will be profitable for you, on

this occasion and in the future.

318 Head Street
San Francisco 27, Calif.

March 6, 1961

Mr. Langston Hughes
419 Fourth Avenue
c/o Crown Publishers Inc.
New York, N. Y.

Dear Mr. Hughes,

In response to an interest for subject material relative to Negro personalities or events in which Negroes participated, we are creating a circulating photographic exhibit, to be displayed on a weekly basis in elementary and secondary schools, colleges, libraries; for the use of organizations, churches etc. It is designed to be an informational public service and no fee will be charged. The primary function is to further stimulate the growing awareness in Negrophilia, and promote an appreciation of Negro history and culture.

We would be gratified and delighted to have your support in this effort by permitting us to use your portrait - a favorite one, perhaps. The present format is to reproduce the photograph to an 11x14 black and white, complete with autograph and biographical data. For the sketch, pertinent material of your choice would be most appreciated.

Although the germ for this idea has long lain dormant, the impetus for delineating it to reality came as the result of a demand from educational media after the showing of our historical collection at the Negro Cultural Festival, an SFNHCS program and more recently, our exhibit in the San Francisco Public Library and the Emporium window during Negro History Week. Our collection is in the process of being made uniform in size, and expanded. Exhibitors will provide suitable area for display. We feel you too, will greet this endeavor with enthusiasm.

The picture may be sent to Miss Laura Thomas, 318 Head Street San Francisco. It will be returned at your request otherwise it will be our pleasure to have it become a part of our permanent collection.

With best wishes to you,

JH/llt

Laura L. Thomas

January 15, 1962

Dear Mr. Hughes,

Through the facilities of the American Broadcasting
System (KGO-TV, Channel 7) we are presenting an hour
program Feb. 18th as part of our observance of Negro
History Week. You have been so gracious to the Society
in the past, I am hoping you will grant us a further
indulgence by permitting us to use selected
visual material from the "Pictorial History of the
Negro in America" to illustrate this project. Of
course, credit will be listed for the source.

I've enclosed a rough draft (very and tentative) of
the outline. It is intended it shall follow an
"Omnibus" type format; narrator-commentator; musical
interludes by a local choir. In lieu of a Langston
Hughes for scriptwriter, we do have some capable men
from the Actor's Workshop staff. While we'd hope to
interest Sydney Poitier there are quite a few talented
actors in many of the Little Theater groups. Next to
NY, SF probably has the best climate for this program.
At present, it's a public service feature but the
outline is being submitted for sponsorship.

Will you allow me to hear from you at your earliest
convenience? Your helpful suggestions will be more
than appreciated.

With best wishes to you,

January 17, 1962

Mrs. Laura L. Thomas
318 Head Street
San Francisco 27, California

Dear Mrs. Thomas:

Mr. Hughes is out of the country and so I am acknowledging your letter of January 15th requesting permission for the use of visual material from "Pictorial History of the Negro in America."

The program you are sponsoring is indeed noteworthy. However, Mr. Hughes does not have the authority to grant permission for use of any material from the book. But I am certain that you will not have any difficulty in securing rights to use it.

For permission to use the material, write Mr. Robert Simon, Editorial Department, Crown Publishers, 419 Fourth Avenue, New York 16, New York. You might mention in your letter to Mr. Simon that you wrote Mr. Hughes and that he is agreeable to your using the material but referred you to him.

All good wishes to you for a successful program.

THE SAN FRANCISCO

February 14, 1963

Dear Langston Hughes,

I am thrilled you should think of us during
Negro History Week and more especially, you
would send ME a poem. Thanks, tremendously.
I had it placed in the Public Library with
our exhibit.

The enclosed letter is explanatory of the
book-promotion I made with S.F. dealers.
Brentano's, the Emporium, Sather Gate in
Berkeley and City Lights indicated they
wished to have a tie-in, in the future with
projects sponsored by the Society. So, will
you let me know in advance when Hughes books
will be released, or, for instance, the '
'Black Nativity' tour could also be linked
with Hughes publications.

I am a bit concerned with this year's TV
presentation. Lawyers and preachers are
notorious 'hams' and they have been written
into the script as an ad lib guest panel.
Why don't you request the NY ABC outlet to
show our TV program? Dr. Broadus Butler
did it last year and there was no problem
with the network.

So far, the Negro History Week program is
a great success. Roland Hayes, of course
will be magnificent. We have ordered the
cake and appropriately worded plaque.

Thanks again for the poem and best wishes
to you always,