Mr. Belafonte’s personal archive, acquired by the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture, provides a snapshot of a life that mingled art and activism.

The first LP I ever bought, in 1956, I bet I still have.

Another bet: Harry is not packing every box himself, Day-O, Day-O.

Tally-man has been tallying my bananas for how many months now? Box 78 not finished. Will the boxing end before I do?

I saw ISLAND IN THE SUN in the Gulf town of Port Arthur in 1958. Not every southern town allowed Joan Fontaine and Harry Belafonte to be standing close to each other and talking. They were beautiful and young, and they both lasted a very long time.