In partnership with the Office of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Anti-Racism, the University of Waterloo Archives (UWA) conducted a series of interviews to capture the voices of Black students, faculty and staff connected to the University of Waterloo. The goal for the Black Oral Histories project was to preserve histories in a way that is familiar to Black identity and Blackness as the African diaspora has a deeply embedded oral history culture. Interviewees were selected by members of an advisory committee that was struck to ensure the project captured a cross-selection of individuals from the Waterloo community. Working with Jermal Jones, Associate Director, Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Access, Library, six people were interviewed.
The University of Waterloo Archives (UWA) conducted an oral history pilot project in 2022 to actively document the University’s history through the lived experiences of staff, faculty, and students. This project took place to ensure that the perspectives of the interviewees are incorporated into the archival memory. Interviewees were selected by members of an advisory committee that was struck to ensure the project captured a cross-selection of individuals from the Waterloo community. Working with historian Dr. Anne Millar, several staff, faculty, and students were interviewed.