The archives
Black Bottom Archives is a living community archive dedicated to preserving Black Detroit stories. Our archive is more than a repository—it's a celebration of all things Black Detroit. From art and activism to music and migration, our collections reflect the dynamism, resilience, and creativity of our community. Step into the archives and discover how Black Detroit's past and present continue to inspire its Future.
For Resources on how you can archive and tend to stories yourself, see below.
Black Bottom Digital Archive
Refreshed in conjunction with our Sankofa Community Research Project, our new Black Bottom digital archive continues to focus on sharing the rich history of Black Bottom and Paradise Valley, with new and excited capabilities for advanced research. It includes oral histories collected from community members and their descendants, information about notable historical sites and figures, and digital representations of still and moving images from Black Bottom and Detroit at large.
Click here to explore our archive and discover the remarkable stories of Detroit’s Black History!
Sankofa Digital Map
As part of our Sankofa Community Research Project, we’ve created a digital map that allows us to compare the landscapes of late 1940s Black Bottom and Paradise Valley with today’s landscape. This map is a tool to help us get a glimpse into the extent of the loss of these beloved communities. You can also view the Black Bottom Street View exhibit panoramas georeferenced onto the map, as well as locate past businesses and residents.
Click here to view the first version and stay tuned for future opportunities to join in and help us grow this crucial community resource.
Special Exhibitions
Click below to view our range of Special Exhibitions hosted through our Digital Archive.
RESOURCES
RESOURCES
Learning Tools
Delve into our curated selections of institutional and community-assembled syllabi, as well as our in-depth worksheets regarding archival processes, research methods, organizational methods, and more.
curriculums
Click below to view our crafted curriculums, made by archivists, scholars, and community members at Black Bottom Archives.