The Africana Studies Department at the University of New Mexico has launched an online platform to collect and share stories from New Mexicans. The initiative, called “Tell Us Your Stories,” was developed by Department Chair Kirsten Buick, Ph.D., who was inspired after learning about research conducted by a former UNM student on a local homesteader.
“Africana Studies has always been connected to community. But sometimes the community feels disconnected from the university,” said Buick. “So as chair, I’m constantly trying to make us visible. I know that there are lots of stories out there, so I want to encourage the community to come to the university in that way.”
David Jacobs, who completed graduate work in geography at UNM, contributed research for this project and acknowledged support from the Center for Southwest Research and Special Collections.
The first story featured on the new platform highlights David “Happy Jack” Jackson, a Black American who moved to White Oaks, New Mexico, in 1897 during its mining boom. Jacobs explained that Happy Jack’s experiences reflect broader themes relevant to early Black New Mexican homesteaders.
“Ultimately, promoting stories like this is essential,” Jacobs said. “Positive narratives about Black New Mexicans are significantly underrepresented in our state’s cultural narrative and amplifying them helps create a more complete and accurate picture of our state’s history.”
Buick emphasized that she wants this online space to serve as a lasting repository for community memories.
“I see it as a temporary alternative to what’s happening at the Smithsonian, where Black people in particular gave family treasures to the museum and now it’s being censored,” Buick said. “I see this as a kind of answer to that to preserve important memories to preserve community.”
Those interested can read more about Happy Jack on the Africana Studies website or contact Amy Johnson at ajohnson3@unm.edu to contribute their own stories or photographs.
