The Black Zine Fair presents...

Keynote: Archival Activation

Join us for a keynote lecture that honors the deep and expansive legacy of Black publishing. This archival activation invites us to celebrate the ingenuity of Black people who have long circulated subversive ideas—well before the term zine was coined, and even before the invention of the printing press. Focusing on a pivotal historical artifact or moment in Black publishing history, we’ll explore how radical pamphleteering, fugitive ephemera, and underground distribution networks laid the groundwork for contemporary zine culture. This is a call to remember, reimagine, and activate the past as a living practice in the present.

The lecture will be delivered by Jehoiada Calvin, a memory worker, writer, and archives assistant for the Johnson Publishing Company Archive. Drawing from his work stewarding iconic publications like Negro Digest, Jet, and Ebony, Jehoiada will guide us through the radical traditions embedded in Black publishing and invite us to consider how archival ephemera can spark new, liberatory forms of expression today. Join us for part two on May 3—where we’ll use archival ephemera from the Johnson Publishing Company Archive to create contemporary zines that honor and reimagine their legacy.

Make a donation

The Black Zine Fair is free and open to the public, although donations are appreciated. We suggest a donation between $5-20 depending on your financial ability. We encourage established professionals and people with intergenerational wealth/savings to consider donating more or becoming sustaining members.

The fair is organized by Sojourners for Justice Press co-directors Neta Bomani and Mariame Kaba. We’re committed to creating a free platform for Black zine makers who otherwise wouldn’t have access to zine/art/book fairs and festivals. We rely primarily on individual donors to fund and sustain our work. Thank you for your support!

Accessibility information

Zoom, the online video conferencing platform where virtual workshops for the Black Zine Fair take place, will include live captioning and scheduled breaks.

Learn more

The Black Zine Fair is a celebration of all things Black and independent publishing in New York City! We invite Black exhibitors and educators to gather, trade or sell zines, and exchange knowledge surrounding zine-making, publishing, and do-it-yourself culture. The fair takes place virtually and in-person from April to May. Visit our website and instagram to learn more.