The names Rev. Charles Becknell, Sr., Ph.D., and Harold Bailey, Ph.D., have echoed through the University of New Mexico’s history. Now, they each represent the title of a collection available to researchers at the Center for Southwest Research.
The items were donated in 2022 and were so substantial that the Center for Regional Studies was able to provide funding assistantships for two graduate students to catalog the historical materials. Hakim Bellamy and Carlyn Pinkins worked for two years processing the items and learning about both men.
“It has been the honor of a lifetime to have the opportunity to dive into the details of Dr. Harold Bailey's rich and accomplished life,” Bellamy said. “If ever asked what kind of life Dr. Bailey lived, I would say "a life of service." He didn't just talk about it, he lived it. The proof was in countless hours of dedication to and showing up for the community at every stop of his life along the way.”
“A few of the things I learned while having the pleasure (and the honor) of archiving Dr. Becknell’s collection is that he’s a direct descendant of Capt. William Becknell, the founder of the Santa Fe Trail,” Pinkins said. “I also learned that he was one of the first black Cabinet members for the State of New Mexico as the Secretary of Criminal Justice and Planning. He cares about making things better for people in whatever he does.”
Becknell is the founder of the Africana Studies Department at UNM. He also served as president of the New Mexico Black Leadership Conference, New Mexico Black Political Action Committee, and the Albuquerque Black Coalition. Governor Jerry Apodaca appointed Becknell as Secretary of Criminal Justice Planning.
He founded the New Mexico Chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference in 2009 and was appointed to its national board in 2010. He served as president of the New Mexico chapter of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference until January 2023. Becknell founded Emmanuel Missionary Baptist Church in Rio Rancho, New Mexico in 2009 and served as its pastor until 2015.
He's also a poet and author. Some of his works include No Challenge, No Change: Growing Up Black in New Mexico; Black Culture in America: An Educator's Perspective; Expressions: A Collection of Poems; and Voices from the African American Village.
The Rev. Charles Becknell collection contains documents, newspaper clippings, publications, photographs, and other materials relating to aspects of the reverend’s life. Newspaper clippings compose much of the collection, including articles written by and about Becknell, many of which address topics regarding race and society nationally and locally, and national political issues.
There are also documents and clippings from Becknell's time serving in the New Mexico State Cabinet under both Governors Jerry Apodaca and Bruce King. The rest of the collection contains items pertaining to Becknell's life as a pastor, educator, and entrepreneur and his family history.
Bailey received his B.S. degree in health and physical education, his M.A. degree in special education, and his Ph.D. degree in American studies all at UNM. He joined the university’s Afro-American Studies Program staff and eventually served as director. He advocated for students during the 1974 University of New Mexico Athletic Boycott demanding equitable treatment and recruitment of scholar athletes regardless of race. In 1976, he was appointed chairman of the Equal Employment Opportunity Committee at the University of New Mexico.
Bailey served as a homebound teacher, a special education teacher, a community liaison, and a certified diversity trainer in Albuquerque Public Schools. In 2000, Bailey began his first term as president of the Albuquerque branch of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). He served in that role until being appointed by Gov. Bill Richardson to Executive Director of the New Mexico Office of African American Affairs.
The Harold Bailey Collection touts a variety of items such as personal papers, photos, VHS and digital video, policy papers, lawsuit documentation, annual reports, conference programs, awards, recognitions and speeches from Bailey’s public career as an advocate, academic and gubernatorial appointee in New Mexico.
Collection highlights include the University of New Mexico Athletic Boycott, the inception of the Afro-Studies Program at UNM, the establishment of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Holiday Observance in New Mexico, and a chronicling of the Albuquerque Chapter of the NAACP.
Researchers interested in learning more can visit the CSWR during their public hours Monday-Thursday, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m., and Friday, 10 a.m. - 2 p.m., and simply request the collections for use in the reading room.
