The Black Memory Collective develops events, programming, and resources. We curate spaces for connection, learning, and collaboration within our community. We believe it is important to create safe and affirming spaces for Black people to just be. We are continuously growing and evolving to support the needs of our community.

Approach

Our focus is to build a community of practice around Black memory work, enhance a sense of belonging, and increase access to archival skills and knowledge. We do this by engaging with members to foster communal knowledge formation, changemaking, and interdisciplinary collaboration. We collectively think, explore, and imagine our practice. We are a resource for consultation and collaboration. We can be a bridge between community and institution.

Guiding Principles

Alchemy

The transformative use of archival materials. We use archives to convert narratives of pain and loss into sources of empowerment and liberation.

Imaginary

Collective imagination and aspiration in the archival realm. We use imagination to surface memories of the past to create visions of the future.

Afrocentricity

Intentionally centering the experiences of Africans and African diaspora in our own historical, cultural, and sociological contexts. We are guided by ancestral knowledge. We honour our ancestors through our work. The term “afrocentricity” was coined by Professor and Philosopher Molefi Kete Asante.

Care