​1. How can I visit the collection of The Black Archives for (own) research,  and/or to consult literature?

The Black Archives is still in the process of archiving and preservation the collection. This means that we are working on making The Black Archives publicly accessible. It is not open for research yet.  We regularly organize guided tours in the archive. If you want to know more about The Black Archives, its history and learn about exceptional artifacts in the archive sign up for a tour and/or visit our exhibition.


2. Is there a literature list available if I want to know more about the history of slavery and colonialism and its legacy (institutional racism) and decolonization?

We recommend to start with the following books if you want to learn more about the Dutch context:

1. Philomena Essed - Everyday Racism
2. Gloria Wekker -  ‘White Innocence’ (Engelse vertaling)
3. Philomena Essed and Isabel Hoving (ed.) - Dutch Racism
4. Kwame Nimako and Glenn Willemsen - The Dutch Atlantic

A good start to learn about the challenges such as social exclusion, discrimination, whiteness and racism are:

1. I Am Your Sister / Sister Outsider - Audre Lorde
2. Angela Davis - Women, Race and Class
3. Caleidoscopische visies - Botman, Maayke / Jouwe, Nancy / Wekker, Gloria (DUTCH)
4. Black Queer Studies - Sharon Patricia Holland
5. Patricia Collins - Black Feminist Thought

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3. How can I support The Black Archives as a volunteer?
At The Black Archives, we can use all the help. We are looking for volunteers who can help us with moving, sorting out books, entering book titles, interviewing, transcribing, etc. Would you like to contribute to The Black Archives (on Saturdays), please send an email to [email protected] in English.

4. How can I still donate?
We are not a state funded organization, we are a grass roots organization which was set up by people from the Surinamese and black community in the Netherlands. Because we still need to archive (book) collections of The Black Archives and make it possible to run the archive, all donations are welcome. You can donate via ​NL06 ABNA 0246 4020 83 with 'Donation The Black Archives, and your name'.

You can also donate your books/magazines and other archival/artifacts to The Black Archives. At appointment, we take in donations on Saturdays. For other options, please send us a message via [email protected].

5. When will future events of The Black Archives take place?
We have a program which involved themes of The Black Archives. You can find it on the website, but also follow us on our instagram account.

6. Is it possible to rent a space at The Black Archives?
Yes, for sure. In addition to The Black Archives, there is also a lounge area that is available for conferences, meetings, workshops and small-scale events. the large space can seat up to 130 people and the small space can seat up to 30 people. Make a request via [email protected].

7. Do you also give guided tours, lectures and guest lectures?
Yes, we give guided tours in The Black Archives and guest lectures on other locations regularly. During the guided tours you will be introduced to the archive and some of the hidden Black history based on unique archives material. For more information, send a message via [email protected].

8. The building is not accessible to disabled persons, all elderly people and people with a physical disability. What do you do about it?
The Black Archives is located in the Hugo Veldhuis of 'Ons Suriname' (Association of Surinamese people), which has been a home for previous generations who cared about the chances and challenges of the black/Surinamese community in Netherlands.

We are aware that the building is not accessible to all groups of people. Currently we are looking for (financial) solutions to renovate the building. Do you want to contribute to make the building more accessible so everyone can enjoy our archive and events, send a mail to [email protected] with "accessibility building '.

9. I am looking for my roots. Where can I start?
In the future, we hope to support you in the search for your roots. Currently we can especially people with roots in Surinam through the book "Familienaam & Verwantschap van Geëmancipeerde Slaven in Suriname" by Humprey Lamur. The book contains the registry of the emancipated people who used to be enslaved in Surinam. Based on your last name you may be able to track on which plantation your ancestors were enslaved. Please note that we cannot always find your last name, but we can always try.