Symposium in Accra Examines Preservation of Black Photographic Archives

An inaugural symposium titled 'To Collect & Collate: The Keepers of Black Photography' was held at NYU Accra in Ghana from March 10-12, 2026. The event brought together artists, archivists, collectors, and scholars to discuss the preservation of Black photographic history within a decolonial, African context. Co-organized by documentary photographer Laylah Amatullah Barrayn and NYU professor Dr. Emilie Boone, the symposium aimed to honor archival work as a living practice beyond formal institutions. Participants examined the ethics, assumptions, and future of archives, emphasizing their role in community survival and memory work. Presentations included contributions from figures like Dr. Kenneth Montague, who discussed artist-driven collecting models, and Paul Ninson, founder of the Dikan Centre, who spoke on institution-building. Panellist C. Rose Smith described the event as an act of care connecting African and Black American photographic histories. Discussions covered topics such as compensating archivists, accessibility, and demystifying archival practices. The organizers plan a second iteration in Accra in 2028 with a Pan-African scope and intend to release a podcast featuring symposium speakers.