Vice-Chair/Chair-Elect

Maria Angel Diaz

Biography

Angel Diaz is the Archivist at the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro). She was previously the California’s Gold Archivist at Chapman University and a project archivist at UCLA’s Chicano Studies Research Center, as well as at the Autry Museum of the American West. Prior to becoming an archivist, Angel was a grades 6-12 humanities educator in Oakland, CA. She holds a Master of Library and Information Science from UCLA and a Master of Arts in Teaching from the University of San Francisco.

Statement

I have been a member of the Archivists and Archives of Color Roundtable (AACR) since I joined SAA at the start of my MLIS program, and I found the roundtable to be a very welcoming group that has supported me throughout my development as an archivist. As I continued my involvement with AACR, joining the 2014-2015 Nominating Task Force, I have made many great connections with similarly passionate people who are interested in actively fulfilling the mission of the roundtable not just within SAA but within our everyday lives. I am the co-founder of my local archival professional organization, the Los Angeles Archivists Collective, and understand the importance of consistent communication, thoughtful collaboration, and diverse and dynamic programming. If elected as the AACR Junior Co-Chair, I will continue the excellent initiatives already in place, such as regional meet-ups, Twitter Chats, and strong advocacy efforts. I will also work to further develop the ways in which AACR and the greater archival profession think critically about and respond to issues of race, opportunity, cultural diversity within the profession, and preservation of histories of minority groups.

Cheylon Woods

Biography

Cheylon Woods, Head of Ernest J. Gaines Center, Archivist and Assistant Professor received her MLIS from LSU. After completion of her MA is Heritage Resources from Northwestern State University, she was awarded an IMLS (Institute of Museum & Library Studies) fellowship through HistoryMarkers (oral history archive based out of Chicago) where she was assigned to work as an Archivist at the Alabama State Department of Archives and History. She actively worked with communities and prominent figures in the region to fill in information gaps related to African American history in the state of Alabama. Cheylon also received a dual BA degree in History and Political Science from Louisiana Tech University. She is a member of Phi Alpha Theta, Society of American Archivists, Louisiana Library Association and Association of the Study of African American Life and History. She has presented at annual meetings for Society of American Archivists and worked on numerous public programs for the Alabama Department of Archives and History specializing in preservation and displaying historical documents and artifacts.

Statement

As a member of this Roundtable I have found it rewarding as encouraging as I embarked on my career as the Head of the Ernest J. Gaines Center. Being the head and archivist of the only black manuscript collection on a small campus has presented many unique challenges and I have enjoyed being a part of the round table and working with my fellow members.

Newsletter Editor

Anita Mechler

Biography

I obtained my MLIS from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign’s LEEP program in 2008 and have been involved in the archival field in Chicago since. As a person of Mexican-American and French-German heritage, I think that it is important for our field to be diverse in ideas, advocacy, and in representation of professionals. My current contribution is hiring and training interns of color through our Archie Motley Archival Internship. As project manager, I am heavily involved in hiring, training, and giving support to our interns in this on-going program. Recently, I ended my term as a member of the Steering Committee of the Chicago Area Archivists and liaison to the Regional Archival Associations Consortium; however, I remain an active general member of the Outreach Committee. Additionally, I volunteer my time as a judge for the Chicago Metro History Fair.

Statement

I am the Project Manager/Archivist for the Black Metropolis Research Consortium, hosted at the University of Chicago (I just celebrated my one-year anniversary last week). As one aspect of my varied job, I am the social media manager, website manager, and the creator of our quarterly newsletter. You can find examples of my newsletter work here.