‘History is a Written Photograph’: Gloria Naylor, Archival Moments, and Black Women’s Literary Legacies

Maxine Montgomery, Professor of English, Florida State University

November 6, 2021

The following is a recording of Dr. Maxine Montgomery’s keynote lecture, presented at the concluding event of the 2021 “Gloria Naylor in the Archives Symposium.” With an astonishing attention to both breadth and depth, Montgomery offers insights into archival encounters in Linden Hills and Mama Day as well as contextual information surrounding centuries of Black women’s creative work and archival practices. She also provides an invigorating snapshot of current and upcoming projects from scholars and archivists across disciplines and institutions, charting a vision for continued collaborative work. Montgomery’s lecture is preceded by an introduction from Isaiah Rivera.