The Dr. Vibe Show™: Building A Black Archive

September 21, 2023

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To listen to an audio only version of our conversation, please click on the “>” symbol that is above the video image of this post.

Building A Black Archive (BABA) is a community archive that unearths and documents Contemporary Black Canadian Histories & Experiences as well as histories and experiences within the African Diaspora. BABA’s work includes workshops, speaking engagements, community archival work, consultations and an annual artist residency program for Black artists.

BABA was started in 2019 by Alannah Johnson and Jonsaba Jabbi who were connected through a mutual friend and shared many similarities unbeknownst to them. BABA exists in an interesting space in the sense that we are not an institutional archive but we also don’t exist within the traditional community archives frame. The best way to describe the type of archiving we do is through the practice of alternative archives using oral histories, memory work and new media technologies as a way to make our archives accessible to members of the Black community.

Since 2019, BABA has hosted three artist residencies which over 15 artists have attended. They have given over 20 workshops and talks on community archives and Black Canadian Cultural Production through Canadian Hip Hop to academic institutions, galleries and others. The themes of the residencies have included: Hip Hop and the Black Experience in Ontario 1980-2010, Mapping Black Geographies in Canada and Archiving Every Day Black Life.

Recently, Jonsaba Jabbi and Alannah Johnson of Building A Black Archive (BABA) were on our show.

During our conversation, Jonsaba and Alannah talked about:

– Jonsaba and Alannah share a little about themselves
– Their experience with Black Canadian history before starting BABA
– Their first meeting
– The start of BABA
– The story behind the name of the organization
– BABA’s first big win
– BABA’s first event
– Some of BABA’s projects so far
– BABA’s artist residency
– Some obstacles/roadblocks in their journey and what they have learned
– BABA celebration of the 50th anniversary of hip hop
– What are they excited about
– How can we help them
– Have they approached educational institutions?
– Suggestions on helping Black youth

You can find out more about Building A Black Archive (BABA) via:

Instagram
Facebook
Email

Please feel free to email us at dr.vibe@thedrvibeshow.com

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