Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 1 day ago
Dive Into the Archive: leftofblack.org
There would be no archival history of African American life if not for the curatorial work of Black librarians, archivists and collectors. Figures like Arturo Alfonso Schomburg worked to cement Black history, who himself created a massive collection of books that was eventually sold to the New York Public Library and became the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Dr. Laura E. Helton joins Mark Anthony Neal to talk about her new book, "Scattered and Fugitive Things: How Black Collectors Created Archives and Remade History," published by Columbia University Press.
Get the book here: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/scattered-and-fugitive-things/9780231559546/
Get to know Dr. Helton here: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/units/departments/english/our-people/laura-helton/
"Left of Black" is the 2025 Silver Telly Award Winner for "Interview & Talk Show," the 2025 Bronze Telly Award Winner for "Education & Discovery," and the 2024 Gold Winner in the "Online Film & Video" category of the 20th Annual Davey Awards. Now in its sixteenth season!
Directed and produced by Eric Barstow, M.F.A.
Editor: Anna Lee, Duke MFAEDA, Class of 2027
Dive Into the Archive: leftofblack.org
There would be no archival history of African American life if not for the curatorial work of Black librarians, archivists and collectors. Figures like Arturo Alfonso Schomburg worked to cement Black history, who himself created a massive collection of books that was eventually sold to the New York Public Library and became the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Dr. Laura E. Helton joins Mark Anthony Neal to talk about her new book, "Scattered and Fugitive Things: How Black Collectors Created Archives and Remade History," published by Columbia University Press.
Get the book here: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/scattered-and-fugitive-things/9780231559546/
Get to know Dr. Helton here: https://www.udel.edu/academics/colleges/cas/units/departments/english/our-people/laura-helton/
"Left of Black" is the 2025 Silver Telly Award Winner for "Interview & Talk Show," the 2025 Bronze Telly Award Winner for "Education & Discovery," and the 2024 Gold Winner in the "Online Film & Video" category of the 20th Annual Davey Awards. Now in its sixteenth season!
Directed and produced by Eric Barstow, M.F.A.
Editor: Anna Lee, Duke MFAEDA, Class of 2027
