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The Richard Ross collections brings together correspondence, research, reports, and proposals for the Junior Year in Africa/Africa Exchange Program and Master's programs in Black History, originated by Dr. Richard H. Ross, Sr. during his time as a student at the University of Michigan, and as Director of Research for the Center of Afroamerican and African Studies (CAAS), recognized as the Department of Afroamerican and African Studies (DAAS) in 2011. These materials document some of the early history of CAAS, including efforts to keep the center running when faced with termination in 1973.

The Richard Ross collection is a chronological set of papers documenting projects Dr. Richard H. Ross, Sr. worked on during his time at the University of Michigan, both as a student and as the Director for Research at the Center for Afroamerican and African Studies, now known as the Department for Afroamerican and African Studies. The bulk of the collection materials document Ross' efforts toward a Junior Year in Africa/Africa Exchange Program (JYA/AEP) including research; a report on paternalism and racism in the University of Michigan Financial Aid Office toward Black students; financial proposals; and correspondence. The JYA/AEP materials also include the mission statement, founding documents, and photographs of projects run by the African American and African Foundation on Science, Education, and Economics Development, Inc. (AAAFSEED). The rest of the materials document Master of Arts proposals, the Request for a Three-Year Evaluation for CAAS in 1973, and Ross' correspondence with CAAS and LSA regarding the donation of this collection.