The agenda for this meeting includes discussions of the University Fellowship for Minority Students, the Minority Recruitment Visitation Program, the HEW G*POP Program, membership, and the meeting time. A document explaining the recommended changes to the fellowship program is attached, as is a membership roster. The agenda and reccommended changes include handwritten notes from Patterson, and the roster lists him as the committee's chair. His notes include questions about the inadequacy of the fellowship's stipend amount, even after the recommended changes.
A letter from Joyce M. Burton, the minority affairs program coordinator for the graduate office of student affairs, confirming Patterson's participation on the Advisory committee for Graduate Minority Affairs during the 1978/1979 academic year.
A letter to the editor (publication unclear) commenting on the legal action taken by a synagogue to prevent Charles Thomas from reading his Black Manifesto. The typed signature is from "P.W. Charles (A Black citizen of Ann Arbor)." Given the shared initials and its location in the archive, this could be a pseudonym used by Willis Patterson. It is unclear if this letter was ever sent.
The exact date and author of this statement are unclear, but the folder is labeled 1987, and the statement mentions that it is being written during President Reagan's tenure (1981–1989). The statement details the many ways in which racism manifests on the University of Michigan campus, and the desire to create a coalition from the many different groups working towards progressive causes in order to directly combat this racism.
This letter summarizes the recommendations of the conductor of orchestral and operatic programs search committee. The committee was comprised of Paul Boylan and professors Bolcom, Cooper, Herbert, Hilbish, Hurst, McCollum, Mayer, and Patterson.
Program for a Fisk University Jubilee Singers concert at the at the Forty-Sixth Annual Arts Festival, Fisk University (April 20–27, 1975). Willis Patterson is featured as a guest artist alongside Inez Matthews (soprano). Oral Moses appears in the program as the bass soloist for "Daniel, Servant of the Lord" by Undine Moore.
A letter to the Director of the Interlochen Arts Academy advocating for two the inclusion of Natalie Hinderas (concert pianist and lecturer on Black composers) and the Virginia State College Symphony Band (an HBCU) in Interlochen's programming.
A letter advocating the for the admission of Jonny Williams to the University of Michigan School of Music, and inquiring about what initiatives exist to "induce Negroes to come to the U of M who might not under normal financial considerations."
A letter advocating for two students' applications to the University of Michigan School of Music—Shelia Jackson and Johnnie Williams—sent before Patterson officially began as a professor. Patterson highlights that Williams is a Black baritone.
Letter from Detroit radio station WWWW congratulating Patterson on being named the station's "citizen of the day" in advance of his return to the University of Michigan as associate professor. A certificate for the honor that includes a brief biography of Patterson is enclosed.
Program for a free concert of Black American Composers in celebration of Black History Week, featuring compositions by John Work, Scott Joplin, George Walker, and others performed by students of the University of Michigan School of Music. The concert was held on February 26, 1978 at 4pm in the Rackham Assembly Hall. The program is dedicated to Dr. Eva Jessye and Professor Willis Patterson.
A completed grant application form requesting $50 in support of an informal gathering of new and returning graduate students in the School of Music. Signed by Oral Moses, Uzee Brown, and Yvonne Johnson.
A letter expressing both the voice department's ambivalence towards the student course proposal on the art songs of Black composers and Patterson's personal strong support for it. His diverging opinions from the department are of particular interest. Two pages of the letter present, but it is incomplete in the archive file.
A letter to multiple administrators, including the director of the affirmative action program, requesting funds for a second year's worth of concerts in collaboration with the Eva Jessye Afro-American Music Collection.
A letter expressing support for the proposal for a course on the art songs of Black composers. Cites a NASM review stating the the School of Music could benefit from "expanding our comparatively conservative offerings."
A letter from Oral Moses on behalf on the Minority Students' Association of the School of Music requesting financial support from a recital of music by Black composers in celebration of Black History Week.
Request for funds from the university administration in support of the Black Art Song Series, detailing that and related research projects such as Patterson's anthology.
Invitation to be honored at the University of Michigan Institute of Gerontology's festival of aging and the art of living. The letter also discusses the need for a Black art song anthology, which Patterson was working on.
A letter inquiring about details of Charlotte Heth's upcoming visit to campus through the King/Chavez/Parks Visiting Professor Program, with a short biography and Heth's abbreviated CV enclosed.
