Preserving the Now: Archiving in Times of Crisis

Invisible Histories is a community based archiving focusing on LGBTQ history in the US South. During this workshop co-founders Josh Burford and Maigen Sullivan will share how they have been saving highly at-risk archival data through community outsourcing, volunteer engagement, and word-of-mouth connections. The session will feature detailed examples of programs and projects Invisible Histories has used to communally preserve data which would otherwise have been destroyed, censored, or lost to time.

During this presentation participants will:

• Better understand the risks posed to marginalized history during our current sociopolitical time
• Learn ways to engage with their communities to preserve local and at-risk historical records
• Leave with practical tools to implement their own preservation projects and programs

Speakers: 

Joshua Burford, Invisible Histories

Joshua Burford is the Director of Community Engagement for the Invisible Histories Project, a nonprofit organization acting as an intermediary between institutions and communities to collect, preserve, and research the diverse histories of the LGBTQ South. Josh is an award-winning historian, archivist, and educator with over 20 years of experience creating stronger communities for Queer and Transgender people across the U.S. Josh is a native of Alabama who grew up in Anniston. He attended The University of Alabama for his undergraduate degrees in English and History. Josh finished his Master’s degrees in 2006 with an MA in American Studies (with a concentration in LGBT history of the late 20th century) as well a Masters in Library and Information Studies. His specialties include working with communities of color, diversity education, student development, and the creation of archives for the preservation of community history. Josh has taught LGBTQ history and American Studies courses at The University of Alabama and the University of North Carolina Charlotte. 

Maigen Sullivan, Invisible Histories

Maigen Sullivan is the Director of Development for the Invisible Histories Project, a nonprofit organization acting as an intermediary between institutions and communities to collect, preserve, and research the diverse histories of the LGBTQ South. She has over 10 years of experience in community outreach, grant management, organizational development, and social justice education. Maigen earned her BA in History and her MA in Women’s Studies from The University of Alabama (UA). Maigen is presently pursuing a PhD from University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) School of Education in Studies of Diverse Populations. While currently focused on research & development, Maigen also provides speaking, training and education around LGBTQ inclusion, implicit bias, and cultural humility. Maigen has taught Gender Studies courses at the University of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham.