Preserving Black Memory. Imagining Black Futures.
Centering Black voices in archives, history, and memory work.
200+ Members across Canada
We are a community for Black archivists, memory workers, and researchers in Canada.
Our Mission
Our mission is to ignite positive futures by collectively preserving, remembering, and imagining otherwise. We call attention to the systemic erasure of Black memory and the need for structural change in traditional archival institutions. We understand the power of Black archives for community activism, collective healing, and Black consciousness.
Our Vision
We envision a future where Black people have an increased sense of self, feel belonging, and rootedness in place through understanding our shared history. When we reconnect with our past, we reaffirm our identities and the presence of our ancestors. In our vision, Black people not only occupy space in the archival profession, but also play a central role in it. There are radical possibilities for documenting, activating, and imagining with Black archives. Black archival practices and memory work can transform our future.
Our Story
The Black Memory Collective was founded by Archivist Melissa J. Nelson in 2023. The Collective was born out of her efforts to connect with Black people who create, work with, and care for Black archives in Canada. It was created to form a national network and build a community of practice around Black memory work.
The Black Memory Collective is part of a larger movement to reclaim, recognize, and celebrate Black memory and imagine Black futurities.
What We Do
Knowledge Sharing
Community Building
Advocacy & Changemaking
Collaboration Across Canada