The first time I stepped foot into a Historically Black College and University (HBCU) library was at Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee in 1994. As I walked across campus, I remember being nervous, feeling slightly out of place. Yet, the students on campus were incredibly kind, pointing me in the direction of the library and archives, where I would eventually conduct the archival research for my dissertation. Once I entered the library at Fisk, I felt immediately welcome. The head librarian and archivist went above and beyond to help me find what I needed to tell a story of African American leadership in the Jim Crow South. Throughout the course of writing my dissertation, I visited the library at least 7 times and my respect for the staff and the collection continued to grow. The collection was beautifully and lovingly curated for students, faculty, and community. I had the opportunity to visit again a few months ago, and the library staff continues to educate about African American history and culture in interactive and unique ways.
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