From Ouest to West is a living digital archive dedicated to preserving, documenting, and celebrating the stories of the Francophone West African diaspora in the United States. The archive collects oral histories, photographs, videos, and cultural materials that reflect the experiences of communities with roots in Francophone West African countries. 

Rather than documenting a single community, From Ouest to West serves as an umbrella archive that will continue to grow through a series of place based projects exploring different neighborhoods, cities, and communities across the diaspora.

Ouest to West: à Brightmoor is the first project within this larger archive. It documents the experiences of West African immigrants and their families who built a community around the Islamic Community of As-Salaam in Detroit's Brightmoor neighborhood. Through oral histories, photographs, and cultural artifacts, the project explores migration, faith, family, and community, highlighting how these families created a sense of home while contributing to Detroit's history.

This project is deeply personal. I grew up surrounded by many of the people whose stories are featured here, and I know how easily their memories and experiences could be lost if they are not documented now. Inspired by the griot tradition of preserving history through storytelling, I hope to honor the beauty of everyday life and ensure these stories remain accessible for future generations. The project will culminate in a mini exhibition and a digital collection that preserves this legacy while laying the foundation for future From Ouest to West projects.