Cesar Gallegos, Candidate for Nominating Committee

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Cesar Gallegos

Archivist

he/him/his

 

We have a responsibility to ourselves and our profession to not only be allies, but to advocate for more diverse, equitable, and inclusive voices in our leadership.

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BIOGRAPHICAL STATEMENT

Currently, I am an archivist at the Walt Disney Archives (2019–present). Previously, I have held positions as the photo archivist for 20th Century Fox (2018–2019), archivist at the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center (2013–2018), special collections digital lab manager at the American Museum of Natural History (AMNH) (2013), as well as archivist assistant at the University of California, Irvine Archives and Special Collections (2007–2009). I received my master’s in library and information science from Long Island University in 2013. In addition, I have held many diverse positions that have helped me excel professionally, including retail, maintenance, and business owner.

I am a current member of the SAA Diversity Committee (2020–2023). I have also served on the 2020 Annual Meeting Program Committee and was the 2020 Student Program Committee chair. Additionally, I served as the 2020 Business Archives Section education chair. I am a member of the Election Committee for the Society of California Archivists (SCA) since 2020, as well as currently serving on the SCA Program Committee.

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

Each candidate prepared a diversity statement according to SAA guidelines.

As a child of Mexican immigrants, the challenges of diversity, inclusivity, and equity have always been at the forefront of my personal, educational, and professional life. Regardless of jobs, backgrounds, or titles, I believe our strength comes from our collective and diverse perspectives. Yet I also understand that implicit biases, whether personal or institutional, must continue to be challenged in constructive and compassionate ways, so that we are able to grow stronger, together. Throughout my career, I believe that my diversity and background has given me opportunities to challenge myself, my biases, and the institutions to do better for our profession, the collections we work with, and the individuals we serve.

My appointment on the Diversity Committee has allowed me to listen firsthand to some of the challenges we face as a professional organization, while also acknowledging some of the victories that DEI work can create. In my current position, I have been fortunate to be part of establishing a DEI Committee for our department. Through my beliefs and actions, I whole-heartedly believe that DEI work must exist on all levels to help amplify marginalized and underrepresented voices.

Looking toward the future of our leadership in SAA, it becomes fundamental to ensure there is diversity, equity, and inclusivity within our committees and candidates. As history and information professionals, I believe that we must strive to use our knowledge-base, inclusivity, and trauma-informed understanding to foster a dynamic future. It is my plan to help create this future—a future that helps mentor, foster, and amplify the voices of those who have since been overlooked or excluded.

QUESTION POSED BY NOMINATING COMMITTEE

The primary role of the Nominating Committee is to identify rising and experienced leaders from within SAA and the archival profession who can bring fresh and diverse perspectives to SAA leadership. Describe how you interpret this core responsibility and how you will work to identify candidates who demonstrate commitment to the SAA Strategic Plan and SAA’s robust commitment to Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility (DEIA).

CANDIDATE'S RESPONSE 

I believe that over the last few years, we have truly been challenged in the way we look at our profession and within our roles as archivists and history professionals. This time has also given us an opportunity to hear more voices and to bring more perspectives to the collective table. As such, the responsibility and charge of the Nominating Committee has shifted to ensure that we earnestly examine and find voices that reflect this redefinition of our profession and the world at large. It is my goal to seek out those who understand the challenges we face, intersect these challenges with elements that historically have made us stronger, and look toward the imperativeness of mentorship to a brighter, more inclusive future.

As an archival professional, it is my responsibility to first listen, understand, and learn from my fellow committee members. I plan to utilize my unique and diverse perspective to seek out candidates, regardless of title or stature, that exemplify elements of the SAA Strategic Plan and push themselves, while championing others for the betterment of our profession.

It is my sincere belief that we have a responsibility to ourselves and our profession to not only be allies, but to advocate for more diverse, equitable, and inclusive voices in our leadership.

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