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. 

With so much to unpack from the last episode with Dr. Ayana Flewellen, we wanted to keep the conversation going in this special bonus episode! Here, Dr. Flewellen gives hosts Nylah Byrd and Kayla Henry-Griffin details about her upcoming book project. Her book is tentatively titled "The Will to Adorn Black Women and Sartorial Practice Post -Enclavement," currently under advanced contract with Princeton University Press. Her book is centered around self-making practices of African American clothing and adornment.

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.

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. 

Your hosts Nylah Byrd and Kayla Henry-Griffin talk to Dr. Kwesi Daniels about conservation, preservation, the difference between the two, and what the future of the field might look like.

Find out more about the Black Art Conservators at: www.blackartconservators.com

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.

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.

Coming May 21st.