Preservation for the People

Black Art Conservators

Preservation for the People is a new podcast from The Black Art Conservators, a collective of Black preservation professionals supporting each other, building community, and seeking change in the predominately white field of cultural heritage preservation. We’re here to talk to other Black people in the preservation field about our successes, our struggles, and our hopes for the future.

Episodes

  1. 03/25/2025

    Extra-Ordinary Heritage Holders and Cultural Stewardship With Leslie Guy

    In this third (and final Season 1) episode of "Preservation for the People," hosts Kayla Henry-Griffin and Nylah Byrd explore how ordinary objects, experiences, and practices hold extraordinary significance in Black culture, challenging the mainstream focus on Black excellence by celebrating Black mediocrity and authenticity. The episode sheds light on how everyday Blackness is preserved and valued. Guests in this episode include Leslie Guy — a cultural steward and self-proclaimed art rebel. Lesie is the Principal of Leslie Guy Consultancy, a company that serves as a connector between communities by creating meaningful and relevant programming to advocate for ethical approaches to culturally sensitive collections stewardship — and Rita Cofield (Conservator Spotlight) — Associate Project Specialist at the Getty working on the African American Historic Places, Los Angeles project Join Kayla and Nylah in unpacking how we can begin to break down barriers to conservation with Leslie Guy. In this episode, Leslie discusses her community preservation career in the museum and cultural heritage fields. She not only speaks to the importance of community stewards and heritage holders in her work but also the need for investment in these Back cultural spaces. Preservation for the People is hosted by Kayla Henry-Griffin and Nylah Byrd. This podcast episode was made possible thanks to the UCLA Racial and Social Justice Seed Grant and is produced by Andrew Callaway and Deqah Hussein-Wetzel of Urbanist Media, a 501c(3) nonprofit that preserves place through story.  Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in each episode of the Black Art Conservators podcast are those of the individual speakers and guests and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or views of all persons associated with the Black Art Conservators group.

    Extra-Ordinary Heritage Holders and Cultural Stewardship With Leslie Guy
  2. 09/02/2024

    Archiving Everyday Blackness With Dr. Ayana Flewellen

    In the second episode of "Preservation for the People," hosts Nylah Byrd and Kayla Henry-Griffin explore how ordinary objects, experiences, and practices hold extraordinary significance in Black culture, challenging the mainstream focus on Black excellence by celebrating Black mediocrity and authenticity. The episode sheds light on how everyday Blackness is preserved and valued. Guests in this episode include Dr. Ayana Flewellen—an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Stanford University, an archaeologist, a storyteller, and a co-founder of the Society of Black Archaeologists— and Ariana Makau (Conservator Spotlight), President & Founder of Nzilani Glass Conservation.  In this episode, Dr. Flewellen discusses their upcoming book and dives further into the self-making practices of African American clothing and adornment. Dr. Flewellen also discusses the challenges in archaeological work, addressing the complexities of using archival materials and the importance of material culture in reconstructing BIPOC identities. Preservation for the People is hosted by Nylah Byrd and Kayla Henry-Griffin. This podcast episode made possible thanks to the UCLA Racial and Social Justice Seed Grant and is produced by Andrew Callaway and Deqah Hussein-Wetzel of Urbanist Media, a 501c(3) nonprofit that preserves place through story.  Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in each episode of the Black Art Conservators podcast are those of the individual speakers and guests and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or views of all persons associated with the Black Art Conservators group.

    Archiving Everyday Blackness With Dr. Ayana Flewellen

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
5 Ratings

About

Preservation for the People is a new podcast from The Black Art Conservators, a collective of Black preservation professionals supporting each other, building community, and seeking change in the predominately white field of cultural heritage preservation. We’re here to talk to other Black people in the preservation field about our successes, our struggles, and our hopes for the future.