Society of Black Archaeologists

Society of Black Archaeologists We are the Society of Black Archaeologist. The society was created in 2011 with five goals in mind:
1.

The mission of the Society of Black Archaeologists (SBA) is to promote academic excellence and social responsibility by creating a space for Black archaeologist and other scholars who support SBA’s goals and activities. To lobby on behalf and ensure the proper treatment of African and African Diaspora material culture

2. To promote more Blacks to enter the field of archaeology

3. To rais

e and address concerns related to African peoples worldwide

4. To highlight the past and present achievements and contributions that Blacks have made to the field of archaeology

5. To ensure the communities affected by archaeological work act not only as objectsof study or informants but are active makers and/or participants in the unearthing of their own history

07/12/2026

Haiti's Heritage Is Living | Cap-Haïtien, June 2026

SBA is glad to highlight a recent three-day Haitian archaeology workshop/symposium in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti, co-organized by Dr. Camille Louis and Dr. Joseph Sony Jean.

“Ouvrir le dialogue sur le patrimoine archéologique haïtien: Un pont entre le passé et le présent” brought regional community members, local researchers, international scholars, and institutional stakeholders together for meaningful dialogue around documentation, preservation, and co-preservation of Haitian archaeological heritage.

The workshop was organized in collaboration with ISPAN HAITI, Bureau National d'Ethnologie, Chaire Unesco en Histoire et Patrimoine, with support from Wenner-Gren Foundation

07/12/2026

Haiti’s archaeological heritage is living.

In June 2026, Dr. Camille Louis and Dr. Joseph Sony Jean co-organized the three-day workshop/symposium “Ouvrir le dialogue sur le patrimoine archéologique haïtien: Un pont entre le passé et le présent” in Cap-Haïtien, Haiti.

The gathering brought regional community members, local researchers, international scholars, and institutional stakeholders into dialogue about documentation, preservation, and co-preservation of Haiti’s terrestrial, underwater, and living heritage.

The workshop was organized in collaboration with the Institut de Sauvegarde du Patrimoine National (ISPAN), Bureau National d’Ethnologie (BNE), and Chaire UNESCO en Histoire et Patrimoine de l’Université d’État d’Haïti (CUHP-UEH), with support from .

SBA is glad to spotlight this community-centered work and its shared commitment to protecting and interpreting Haitian archaeological heritage.

SBA members and community recently gathered in New York City for TAG 2026, the meeting of the Theoretical Archaeology ...
06/02/2026

SBA members and community recently gathered in New York City for TAG 2026, the meeting of the Theoretical Archaeology Group - North America.

The conference brought together archaeologists, students, public scholars, artists, and community-engaged practitioners for conversations on archaeological theory, resistance, care, and antiracist practice.

This meeting included the roundtable "Is the Future of Archaeology Still Antiracist?" with Alexandra McDougle, Ayana Omilade Flewellen (SBA Board Chair), Gabrielle Miller, and Rachel Watkins; SBA Secretary Maddy Aubey presenting "The Memory Keeper: Land Stewardship as Heritage"; and the community moments that make conferences meaningful beyond the formal program.

From presentations and discussion to informal moments between sessions, TAG was a reminder that Black archaeology is not only produced through research, but also through mentorship, collaboration, style, and community.

Thank you to everyone who shared their work and helped make space for these conversations.

REMINDER: SBA Conference Travel Award applications are due Wednesday, May 20, 2026This award supports SBA members travel...
05/14/2026

REMINDER: SBA Conference Travel Award applications are due Wednesday, May 20, 2026

This award supports SBA members traveling to present papers, posters, or other scholarly work about their archaeological research. Award funds may be used for conference and travel-related expenses, with a total award of up to $500 USD.

Review eligibility and apply on the SBA scholarships page:
https://www.societyofblackarchaeologists.com/scholarships/

Please share with SBA members preparing to present their research.

04/06/2026

Join a 1-hour virtual workshop exploring publishing pathways for archaeologists; from academic journals to trade books and public essays, learn how to strategically choose where and why to publish. Join us 4/7 at 8 pm for our next Brush-Up Workshop, register at https://zurl.co/aNSBX

04/06/2026

Our Curator Stephanie M. Lampkin, PhD was recently featured as a source in the Smithsonian Institution's Smithsonian Magazine. 📚✨

🤔 How much do you know about Jermain Wesley Loguen? ‘King of the Underground Railroad,’ Loguen escaped enslavement and then went on to lead over a thousand others to freedom. 🗺📍

📲 Read the full article here: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/after-the-king-of-the-underground-railroad-escaped-from-slavery-he-led-1500-others-to-freedom-180988223/

04/06/2026

Check out our new website!

This past year, our museum undertook an extensive website redesign to enable more education and discovery of African art. We’re very excited to share that our new site is now live, allowing us to bring our resources to lifelong learners everywhere.

Visit us virtually from anywhere in the world. Go to africa.si.edu to start exploring!

03/22/2026

We are pleased to announce that applications are now open for the 2026 Culture & Legacy Scholarship, made possible through the generous support of the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s Office of Strategic Partnerships.

We are deeply grateful for their continued commitment to expanding opportunity and access for scholars who wish to participate in the 48th Annual Association of African American Museums (AAAM) Conference.

This $1,200 scholarship offers a valuable opportunity for scholars to engage with museum professionals, cultural leaders, and practitioners from across the country while contributing to important conversations shaping the field.

Scholarship Includes
• 3-night hotel accommodations (August 19–21, 2026)
• Full conference registration (daily sessions, continental breakfast, snack breaks, two luncheons, and three evening receptions)
• One-year complimentary AAAM membership

Application Deadline: March 30, 2026 (11:59 PM EST)
Award Notification: On or before April 17, 2026

If you are a scholar interested in engaging with the African American museum field and expanding your professional network, we encourage you to apply.

Apply here:
https://lnkd.in/etRd-VvD

We look forward to welcoming the next cohort of scholars to AAAM2026 in Philadelphia.

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Santa Monica, CA

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