(JACKSON, Miss.) – Jackson State University (JSU) is partnering with Getty Images, a preeminent global visual content creator and marketplace, and Ancestry, the global leader in family history, to preserve its archival materials dating back to 1877, the university’s founding year. The new initiative looks to preserve the records, documents, and photographic archives of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) as part of Getty Images’ HBCU Grants Program, making the materials widely available and accessible on the Ancestry platform.
Through physical media such as yearbooks, student records, newsletters, photographs, and school catalogs, JSU’s rich history has been carefully preserved over the years. This initiative, led by Getty Images and Ancestry, will further support digitizing these critical documents to prevent them from being lost to time. Once digitized, these records will be searchable on Ancestry, helping millions of people get a new look at HBCU history and allowing students and faculty to explore Jackson State’s legacy and history like never before.
“Preserving the legacy of HBCUs is both a responsibility and an opportunity to ensure that powerful stories are never lost,” said Cassandra Illidge, Vice President of Partnerships and HBCU Programs at Getty Images. “Through our partnership with Jackson State University and Ancestry, we are honoring the enduring impact of individuals and empowering future generations to connect with their heritage in new and transformative ways.”
The digitization efforts will be conducted on-site with JSU’s archivists, faculty and students, alongside Getty Images and Ancestry. Jackson State University will retain full copyright ownership of the digitized assets. Additionally, JSU receives complimentary, campus-wide access to Ancestry’s platform for students and faculty. The program aims to safeguard the legacy of HBCUs and ensure their contributions to American history are accessible to a global audience.
“Ancestry is honored to expand our collaboration with Getty Images to help safeguard the rich history of HBCUs and ensure that their legacy continues to educate and inspire generations to come,” said Dr. Lisa Pearl, Head of U.S. Content and Philanthropic Initiatives at Ancestry. “By digitizing JSU’s invaluable archives and making them accessible to a global audience, we are not only preserving these important records, but also empowering students, researchers, and families to discover new connections to the legacy, resilience, and achievements that define HBCU communities.”
Getty Images previously collaborated with JSU in 2022, helping to digitize thousands of images for the university and its storied history. This has preserved images, such as historical homecoming photos from parades, past Miss JSUs and much more. As part of this new collaboration, Ancestry has already begun digitizing Jackson State’s historical documents.
“The initial partnership between Jackson State University and Getty Images through its Photo Archive Grants Program allowed the H.T. Sampson Library to involve students, faculty and administrators in a collaborative effort to preserve and share many treasured photographs with the world, and this expanded agreement with Ancestry has made it possible to digitally make historical materials accessible to alumni and others while protecting and cherishing our notable HBCU history,” said Dr. Locord D. Wilson, JSU Dean of Libraries.
To learn more about the wider HBCU Grants Program, including the institutions working with Getty Images, additional program partners, scholarship and mentorship opportunities for students, and access to the HBCU Collection, go to: https://www.gettyimages.com/corporate‑responsibility/hbcu‑partnership