The Rolling Archives

Ashley Smith-Purviance
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Society & Culture
  • Updated Daily

The Rolling Archives is a digital scrapbook that aims to amplify the voices of Black women & girls by uncovering the spaces & experiences that shape them, spotlighting the communities they co-create for their collective joy and living and immortalizing their stories for the preservation of Black girls’ presence and existence(s) within our material and imaginative worlds. Hosted by Ashley Smith-Purviance whose research on Black girlhood has grown into a platform for Black women and girls to speak freely to talk about their lives and experiences.

Episodes

  1. 4d ago

    The Something Else with Dr. Ruth Nicole Brown

    What happens when we stop asking Black girls to be quiet—and start building worlds around their voices? In this episode of The Rolling Archives, Ashley sits down with pioneering Black girlhood studies scholar Dr. Ruth Nicole Brown, professor and inaugural chair of African American and African Studies at Michigan State University and founder of SOLHOT (Saving Our Lives, Hear Our Truths). Together, Ashley and Dr. Brown trace the origins of Black girlhood studies, celebrate the 16th anniversary of Black Girlhood Celebration: Toward a Hip-Hop Feminist Pedagogy, and unpack what it means to create spaces where Black girls can speak, create, grieve, dream, and simply be. This is a conversation about Black girlhood as knowledge, Black feminism as everyday practice, and the radical possibilities that emerge when we trust what we know—and make room for the “something else.” Connect with Dr. Ruth Nicole Brown at ruthnicolebrown.com. Follow The Rolling Archives on Instagram, Facebook, and YouTube @TheRollingArchives and visit therollingarchives.org. Rate, review, and subscribe—and keep rolling toward all the places that keep us whole.

  2. Aug 3

    Radical Black Softness with EbonyJanice Moore

    What would become possible if Black women and girls no longer had to create from a place of resistance? In this deeply affirming episode of The Rolling Archives, Ashley is joined by author, scholar-priestess, and cultural visionary EbonyJanice Moore for a conversation on Black girlhood, womanism, liberation, and the radical power of softness. Together, they explore the complexities of attending predominantly white schools and growing up in predominantly Black spaces, the importance of refusing to code-switch, the influence of hip-hop and Black storytelling, and why our younger selves still have something to teach us. EbonyJanice also redefines what it means to live a "soft life," arguing that true softness isn't about luxury—it's about creating space to breathe, regulate our nervous systems, and dream beyond survival. This conversation is an invitation to remember who you were before the world taught you to armor up, and to imagine what freedom can feel like when you finally exhale. Learn more about EbonyJanice and her work at ebonyjanice.com.

  3. Jul 20

    Grieving Black Girlhood with Dr. Taryrn T.C. Brown

    What does grief ask of us? And what does it mean to honor the people we love long after they are gone?In one of the most personal episodes of The Rolling Archives, Ashley opens her heart by reflecting on the profound losses of her grandmother, Princess, her dear friend Dr. Gwen Baxley, and the ways grief continues to return throughout her life. Ashley  is joined by Dr. Taryn T.C. Brown, assistant professor at the University of Florida and founder of the Black Girlhood Collaborative, whose scholarship explores Black girlhood, community, and grief. Together, they discuss how grief lives in the body, why Black women and girls deserve space to grieve beyond expectations of strength, and how memory itself becomes a form of knowledge.This episode is an invitation to slow down, remember, and honor your own grief—not as something to overcome, but as something that continues to shape who you are becoming.Whether you're grieving someone you've lost, mourning a version of yourself, or learning how to make space for healing, this conversation offers a gentle reminder that grief is not the opposite of love—it is evidence of it.Roll back with us, and reflect: How has grief changed you? What memories continue to carry you forward? And what does healing look like when grief keeps returning?

  4. Jul 6

    Imagination is Freedom with Dr. Chelsea Bouldin

    How do we become who we are—and what stories help us remember ourselves?In this episode of The Rolling Archives, Ashley is joined by Dr. Chelsea Bouldin, scholar of Black studies and Black feminist thought, for a rich conversation about imagination, memory, self-making, and the power of the archive.Together, they reflect on the moments that shaped them as young Black girls—from roller skating rinks and grandmothers' homes to classrooms and literature—and explore how these experiences continue to influence who they are becoming. Dr. Chelsea shares her research on Black women's imaginative self-making, inviting us to consider imagination not as escapism, but as a political and creative practice that allows us to envision ourselves beyond the limits imposed by racism, sexism, and other systems of oppression.The conversation also reimagines what an archive can be. Rather than something confined to institutions, Ashley and Dr. Chelsea remind us that our journals, family photographs, handwritten notes, conversations, and everyday memories all hold profound historical value.This episode is an invitation to honor your own story, preserve the moments that matter, and imagine yourself—and your future—with intention.Reflection Question: What is one memory you would preserve in your personal archive, and what does it reveal about who you are becoming?Connect with Dr. Chelsea Bouldin: Follow Chelsea on Instagram at @chelsea.bouldin and learn more about her scholarship in Black studies, Black feminist thought, archives, and Black women's imaginative self-making. You can also reach her via email at chelseabouldin@utah.eduSummarize this data    How do we become who we are—and what stories help us remember ourselves?In this episode of The Rolling Archives, Ashley is joined by Dr. Chelsea Bouldin, scholar of Black studies and Black feminist thought, for a rich conversation about imagination, memory, self-making, and the power of the archive.Together, they reflect on the moments that shaped them as young Black girls—from roller skating rinks and grandmothers' homes to classrooms and literature—and explore how these experiences continue to influence who they are becoming. Dr. Chelsea shares her research on Black women's imaginative self-making, inviting us to consider imagination not as escapism, but as a political and creative practice that allows us to envision ourselves beyond the limits imposed by racism, sexism, and other systems of oppression.The conversation also reimagines what an archive can be. Rather than something confined to institutions, Ashley and Dr. Chelsea remind us that our journals, family photographs, handwritten notes, conversations, and everyday memories all hold profound historical value.This episode is an invitation to honor your own story, preserve the moments that matter, and imagine yourself—and your future—with intention.Reflection Question: What is one memory you would preserve in your personal archive, and what does it reveal about who you are becoming?Connect with Dr. Chelsea Bouldin: Follow Chelsea on Instagram at @chelsea.bouldin and learn more about her scholarship in Black studies, Black feminist thought, archives, and Black women's imaginative self-making. You can also reach her via email at chelseabouldin@utah.eduTurn on screen reader supportBanner hiddenTo enable screen reader support, press ⌘+Option+Z To learn about keyboard shortcuts, press ⌘slash

  5. Jun 23

    Edge Control and The Cost of Holding It Together with Dr. Heather Lofton

    What happens when being strong and the pressure to keep everything laid, polished, and under control becomes an expectation rather than a choice? In this episode of The Rolling Archives Podcast, Ashley reflects on the messages many Black girls receive early in life: work harder, do more, achieve more, and never let anyone see you struggle. Joining the conversation is licensed marriage and family therapist, researcher, and longtime friend Dr. Heather Lofton, whose work centers Black women’s mental health, identity development, and emotional well-being. Together, they unpack the pressures of the “strong Black woman” narrative, the hidden costs of Black Girl Magic, and the ways Black girls are often socialized to prioritize caring for others while neglecting themselves. This episode is an invitation to pause, listen to your body, and consider a different question: What does it look like to care for yourself in a world that often demands that you don't? Whether you're navigating burnout, unlearning inherited expectations, or searching for healthier ways to thrive, this conversation offers both affirmation and practical wisdom for the journey. Connect with Dr. Heather Lofton: Learn more about Dr. Heather Lofton's work through her Substack, Dr. Black Girl (DrBLKGirl), where she shares reflections, resources, and self-study courses focused on Black women's mental health, productivity, relationships, and well-being. You can also connect with her on LinkedIn for updates on her clinical, research, and consulting work. https://drblackgirl.substack.com/; https://www.linkedin.com/in/heather-lofton-phd-lmft-22921a86

  6. Jun 8

    Black Girls Are Pop Culture with Dr. Aria Halliday

    What happens when Black girls become the archivists of their own stories? In this rich and joyful conversation, Ashley sits down with scholar, author, cultural critic, and longtime mentor Dr. Aria Halliday to explore the worlds Black girls create, inhabit, and transform through culture, community, and imagination. Together, they roll back the archives of Black girlhood—from dancing with sisters and watching Sister, Sister to finding themselves reflected in characters like Moesha, Lisa Turtle, and Cinderella. Through personal memories and critical analysis, Dr. Halliday reflects on the experiences that shaped her groundbreaking work in Black Girlhood Studies and her commitment to documenting the everyday lives, joys, complexities, and cultural contributions of Black girls. The conversation explores the creation of the landmark Black Girlhood Studies Collection, the challenges of carving out space for Black girlhood scholarship within academia, and the importance of treating Black girls’ lived experiences as worthy of study, theory, and celebration. Ashley and Aria also discuss pop culture, dance, embodiment, representation, mentorship, and Dr. Halliday’s powerful new book, Black Girls and How We Fail Them. At its heart, this episode is an invitation to remember that Black girlhood is not only defined by struggle—it is also a site of creativity, innovation, pleasure, friendship, movement, beauty, and possibility. Resources mentioned in the conversation: The Black Girlhood Studies Collection by Aria Halliday Twerk Sumn!: Theorizing Black Girl Epistemology in the Body by Aria Halliday Black Girls and How We Fail Them by Aria Halliday Buy Black: How Black Women Transformed US Pop Culture

  7. May 25

    Justice 4 Black Girls with Brianna Baker

    In this deeply affirming and expansive conversation, Ashley sits down with educator, organizer, and Justice for Black Girls founder Brianna Baker to explore what it means to reclaim Black girlhood, build liberatory spaces, and create institutions where Black girls are not only protected — but deeply loved, heard, and celebrated. Together, they reflect on the transformative power of Black girl spaces, the tension between grief and joy in Black girlhood, and the urgency of building worlds where Black girls can exist freely on their own terms. As you dive into this conversation, ask yourself “If you had an opportunity to put Black girlhood studies into action or even return to your younger self and ask what she desired most when growing up, what might that look like for you?” Connect with Brianna Baker and Justice For Black Girls: https://instagram.com/justice4blackgirls ; https://justiceforblackgirls.com

  8. Season 1 Trailer

    Coming Soon: The Rolling Archives Podcast

    TRA-Show InfoThe Rolling Archives Podcast collection of stories and conversations about Black women and girls’ past-present-future selves. While distinctions across Black girls and women’s childhood, adolescence, and adulthood may deserve their own recognition, The Rolling Archives embodies and honors reoccurring memories of Black girlhood as foundational sites of joy, exploration, meaning making, and life-affirming practices on a non-linear trajectory for Black women and girls. The Rolling Archives offers space for Black girls and women to reflect on, engage, and sit with these moments that have inspired and informed their current journeys, practices, and the formation of spaces that nurture their moments of living. Hosted by Ashley Smith-Purviance whose research on Black girlhood has grown into a platform for Black women and girls to speak freely to talk about their lives and experiences, to bridge the connection between generations and education levels, to create a meaningful community.    The Rolling Archives Podcast collection of stories and conversations about Black women and girls’ past-present-future selves. While distinctions across Black girls and women’s childhood, adolescence, and adulthood may deserve their own recognition, The Rolling Archives embodies and honors reoccurring memories of Black girlhood as foundational sites of joy, exploration, meaning making, and life-affirming practices on a non-linear trajectory for Black women and girls. The Rolling Archives offers space for Black girls and women to reflect on, engage, and sit with these moments that have inspired and informed their current journeys, practices, and the formation of spaces that nurture their moments of living. Hosted by Ashley Smith-Purviance whose research on Black girlhood has grown into a platform for Black women and girls to speak freely to talk about their lives and experiences, to bridge the connection between generations and education levels, to create a meaningful community. Turn on screen reader supportTo enable screen reader support, press ⌘+Option+Z To learn about keyboard shortcuts, press ⌘slash

Trailer

About

The Rolling Archives is a digital scrapbook that aims to amplify the voices of Black women & girls by uncovering the spaces & experiences that shape them, spotlighting the communities they co-create for their collective joy and living and immortalizing their stories for the preservation of Black girls’ presence and existence(s) within our material and imaginative worlds. Hosted by Ashley Smith-Purviance whose research on Black girlhood has grown into a platform for Black women and girls to speak freely to talk about their lives and experiences.

Information

  • Creator
    Ashley Smith-Purviance
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    8
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Ashley Smith-Purviance
  • Show Website
    The Rolling Archives