Archiving Inland Empire Black History: Stories and Maps That Bring the Past to Life

Community storytellers and historians have collaborated over the last decade to build vibrant archives of Black history in the Inland Empire. We will share our work collecting oral histories, photos and stories, and present some of the poems, stories and maps we created to bring to life the rich history of San Bernardino’s and Riverside’s Black communities.

Participants will include:
Richard “Buddy” Jones, a former Riverside resident and founder of Buddy Jones and Friends, a cultural preservation group with a focus on Eastside Black history

Alyce Smith Cooper, a poet and storyteller originally from Riverside

Carolyn Tillman, a Bridges Project volunteer and editor of an anthology of San Bernardino Black history

Romaine Washington, a poet, Bridges Project volunteer, and editor of an anthology of San Bernardino Black history

Dr. Jennifer Tilton, a professor of race and ethnic studies, University of Redlands

Dr. Catherine Gudis, a professor of history/public history, University of California. Riverside