Papers and tapes including schedules, programs, posters and other materials of Black Awareness Week (Spring 1973) which was held March 24-31, 1973. Sponsored by the Black Student Union, the week was subtitled, "A Journey Into the Black Culture." Speakers and groups included the Tony Zamora Combo, Alex Haley, Dick Gregory, and Aliza Thnadeka Ngono. Other group participants were: a panel discussion on affirmative action with Arnold Jones, Lowell Turley, John Flamer, William Jacobs and Edyth Cole discussing the "Future of Affirmative Action;" a panel discussion on the "Black Politician and His Role in the Culture" with Illinois Rep. Eugene Barnes, Rep. Peggy Smith Martin, Rep. Corneal Davis, and Harold Washington; and a combined performance of the Black Writer's Workshop, the Black Dance Workshop, and the Black Lab Band of the Afro-American Cultural Program of the University of Illinois. Black Awareness week focused on the political, economic and social issues relating to the black community.

Also included is a paper by Horace E.D. Martin that discusses the 1973 Black Awareness week and the origins of this event in 1971.