Print, Photographic

Black and white photograph of Roman Gribbs at a surprise birthday party thrown for him by members of the African American community in Detroit. Gribbs is standing with four children before a cake that reads "All For You, Roman Gribbs, On Your Natal Day". Gribbs' mother, Magdelene Grzyb, stands beside him. A stamp on the verso reads, "CITY OF DETROIT REPORT & INFORMATION, 73506-9, PHOTOGRAPHIC," and the number 9 has been handwritten in pencil on the upper right corner of the verso. An included handwritten note on Katherine Gribbs' stationery reads, "This photo was taken at a surprise birthday party given by a group of Black citizens on December 28, 1973 as a farewell thank you to the Mayor for serving the community. It was the nicest occasion and most deeply appreciated as the party goers were not friends but strangers for the most part. Woman in center is the Mayor's mother."