February 27, 2026

Dear Chicago,

We started our collective with the intention to dedicate our talents, skills, time, love, and passion towards supporting our community---all of the people comprised within it---with a focus on preserving Black cultural heritage. Our collective dedication to this work, as trained Black archivists, has been ongoing since we formed in 2018. 

Our passion and dedication in regards to Black archives, memory and history haven't and won't waver; however, as time has gone on, our personal and professional responsibilities have shifted. After much consideration, we have decided to sunset The Blackivists.  We came to this decision with a heavy heart, but our minds and hearts are with you---and with great appreciation and gratitude. 

One of the many highlights of our time together was moving into rapid action to quickly address the needs of our community in 2020, when the world seemed to be most uncertain in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the murder of George Floyd and the Uprisings. During this time, we became more determined than ever before to strengthen and increase actions to support Black communities, both locally and nationally. This work led to the creation of our grant program, Diamond in the Back, funded by the Mellon Foundation. In partnership with Sixty Inches From Center, we were able to support the archival and preservation efforts of six Black-led local organizations and individuals across the Chicagoland area.

Many, many sincere thanks to our friend Tempestt Hazel and the entire team at Sixty Inches From Center. You all have been invaluable partners since the beginning and we are eternally grateful for your willingness to be a dream fiscal sponsor and amazing co-collaborators.

And finally, thank you! For attending our events, for the constant support, and upliftment with sharing our work with your communities, in publications, and simply for sharing the dedication and passion towards collectively creating the world we dream of. 

As we stated earlier, we are not gone! Just making room for the next iteration of our archival lives together….

With gratitude,

—The Blackivists

Archivist Sara Dunlap Jackson in a stack area at the National Archives Building, 1955. (National Archives and Records Administration.)