Records of rukus! Federation Limited, referred to by rukus! as the 'rukus! Black, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (BLGBT) cultural archive' consisting of collected diaries, letters, minutes and related papers, magazines, pamphlets, flyers, posters, journals, books, photographs and prints, audio-visual material, memorabilia and ephemera. Records relate to individuals including activists, DJs, club promoters, writers, artists and magazine publishers; community organisations; and subjects including sexual heath, black lesbians and women and night clubs.
The records cover mainly London-based individuals and activities where the largest proportion of the BLGBT community has been based in the United Kingdom, but also documents the community on national to international scale, for example with reference to initiatives in Nigeria in Africa and New York, United States of America.
The collection also includes the records of rukus! Federation Limited, dating from 2000-2010 (catalogue sub-section references LMA/4571/01 - LMA/4571/03) including foundation papers, minutes, campaign letters, event and project material including programmes, flyers, photographs, recordings and press coverage, and general publicity concerning the organisation. These records document rukus!' creation of the Black, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (BLGBT) cultural archive.
Also included are the records of founders of rukus!:
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Ajamu, records dating from 1975-2010 (catalogue sub-section reference LMA/4571/04) relating to his personal life, photography career and community work. Included are records of 'Negro Twinz' Music Band and Black Review Publications Limited (both organisations based in Huddersfield, Yorkshire), and Ajamu Photographie Limited (Ajamu's photography business). Records include correspondence, recordings, photography event printed material and other papers.
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Topher Campbell, records dating from 1994-2010 (catalogue sub-section reference LMA/4571/05) concerning the films he produced under Gorgeous Films including 'The Homecoming: A Short Film About Ajamu' (1996), events relating to his theatre and film company The Red Room, his involvement in London Lesbian and Gay Film Festival and other activities. Material includes flyers, audio-visual material, photographs and press articles.
The records in the 'rukus! Black, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Trans (BLGBT) cultural archive' (LMA/4571/06) largely consist of collected material organised by rukus! and arranged by individual, organisation, subject or format. As well as collected items, this section includes further records of Ajamu documenting his involvement in wider community initiatives, and the records of the following individuals which were presented or donated by them to rukus!:
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Valerie Mason-John alias 'Queenie', records dating from 1984-2005 (series LMA/4571/06/01/08) including newspaper articles, theatre posters, flyers, programmes, photographs and videos. These records were presented by Valerie Mason-John to rukus! Federation Limited as part of the rukus! archive project.
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Reverend Rowland 'Jide' Macaulay, records dating from 199--2010 (series LMA/4571/06/01/10) consisting of articles, letters, flyers, CD and cassette, badges and stickers mainly relating to House of the Rainbow and Metropolitan Community Church. These records were presented by Reverend Macaulay to rukus! Federation Limited as part of the rukus! archive project.
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Simon Nelson, records dating from 1999-2005 (series LMA/4571/06/01/12) consisting of posters and flyers mainly relating to Terrence Higgins Trust and Camden and Islington Community Health Services NHS Trust, articles and interviews including video recording. These records were donated by Simon Nelson to rukus! Federation Limited as part of the rukus! archive project.
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Andrew Prince, records dating from 2002-2008 (series LMA/4571/06/01/14) consisting of flyers, magazine and newspaper articles mainly relating to Black Pride Festival organised by Outburst. Includes Andrew Prince's original civil partnership certificate. Presented to rukus! Federation Limited as part of the rukus! archive project.
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Dorothea Smartt, records dating from 1982-2008 (series LMA/4571/06/01/15) consisting of published books, poems, flyers, photographs and oral history workshop cassettes. These records (with the exception of two items under reference code LMA/4571/06/01/037, 039) were presented by Dorothea Smartt to rukus! Federation Limited as part of the rukus! archive project.
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Roy Thomas, records dating from 1983-1986 (series LMA/4571/06/01/17) consisting of his personal diaries with enclosed greeting cards from 'Carleton' (Ajamu), postcards, papers and photograph. Diary entries include personal daily thoughts and occurrences, his attendance at Huddersfield College, attending popular and gay events in northern England. These diaries were given to Ajamu by Roy Thomas and Ajamu presented them to rukus! Federation Limited as part of the rukus! archive project.