The papers span from 1927 to 1998 with the bulk from 1980 to 1998 and consist of correspondence, printed material, financial and legal documents of the West End Neighborhood Development, Inc. from 1976 to 1998 as well as articles, clippings, correspondence, and research collected by Sikes related to African Americans in the South, various neighborhoods in Atlanta including Summerhill, Midtown, Sylvan Hills, Bedford Pines, and Vine City, and historic preservation and urban renewal.

The Jesse O. Thomas papers document his career and family life spanning more than 70 years, including his positions with the National Urban League, Negro Centennial Exposition, Government and the American Red Cross.

The collection contains a significant amount of correspondence, speeches, press releases, minutes, reports, publications, articles, photographs, programs, manuscripts, travel documents, and notes.