The Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture was established in 1983 to share information about Africana and African-American culture with both the Duke and Durham communities. The collection contains materials regarding the general origins, development, and oversight of the Mary Lou Williams Center, as well as files related to programming hosted by, or sponsored by the Center. There are also a small number of files, mostly course materials, related to Leon Latimer Dunkley, Jr., who was the director of the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture from 1999-2005.

The Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture records contain materials regarding the general origins, development, and oversight of the Mary Lou Williams Center, as well as files related to programming hosted by, or sponsored by the Center, or at other black culture centers and in higher education in general. Among the materials are articles; plans; Board of Directors meeting minutes, agendas, and draft policies; event and exhibit flyers; black-and-white photographs; mailing and contact lists; correspondence, reports, and budgets; and reservations. Many of the events involve poetry or jazz. There are also a small number of files, mostly course planning materials, related to Leon Latimer Dunkley, Jr., was the director of the Mary Lou Williams Center for Black Culture from 1999-2005.