Sterling S. Keyes celebrating "Mexican Fiesta" with two Matthew A. Henson Elementary School students , 1971

Series I: Photographs consists of 6 black and white photographs depicting Dr. Sterling S. Keyes. Images include a group portrait of Keyes at a restaurant with colleagues while attending the American Association of School Administrators conference in 1970; two portrait photographs of Keyes; a photograph of Keyes with students; and Keyes speaking with a legislative aide for Congressman Parren J. Mitchell (1922-2007) in Washington D.C.

Series II: Papers consists of documents related to Dr. Sterling S. Keyes, chiefly concerning the period during which Keyes' was confirmed and served as acting superintendent for Baltimore City Public Schools between January 1971 and October 1971.

The series contains correspondence sent or received by administrative offices of Baltimore City Public Schools between January and November 1971. These documents include Keyes' predecessor, superintendent Dr. Thomas D. Sheldon's, letter of resignation; an unsigned hate note addressed to the public school board, written over a newspaper clipping reporting Keyes'confirmation; a telegram related to an incident at Pimlico Junior High School on March 4th 1971; a pamphlet entitled “Guidelines for the Superintendent’s Contract;” a letter of congratulations to Keyes for being awarded the National Parent Teachers Association Congress Life Membership Award from a member of the Waverly PTA; an invitation from the St. John A.M.E. Church of Baltimore, Maryland, to serve as the keynote speaker for the congregation’s Annual Men’s Day Breakfast on November 14, 1971; and a reprint of a speech given by H. Norman Hough, President of the Public School Administrators and Supervisors Association of Baltimore City, on October 13, 1971.

This series also includes three issues of the Baltimore City Public Schools Staff Newsletter from 1971. These newsletters include the superintendent’s message; postings for career and educational opportunities; and coverage of student activities and special projects, such as long term building plans. There is also a copy of “The School Administrator” from April 1971, a publication of The American Association of School Administrators (AASA).

Additionally, this series contains newspaper clippings from publications including “The Baltimore Sun,” “The Baltimore Afro-American,” and “The Baltimore News-American,” spanning from January 1971 to September 1971. These dates coincide with Keyes’ tenure as acting superintendent of Baltimore City Public Schools and these clippings include coverage on his appointment; conflict with the local teacher’s union; and proposed school policies related to disciplinary measures for students and school district zoning.