Project Lead: Valeriya Woodard ‘25 • Public History Collective Post-Baccalaureate Fellow
Vivero Fellow (2026-2027): Becky Santizo-Zapeta
As a Vivero Project Lead, I am looking for a fellow to collaborate with me on the “Black History and Legacy” project. This project is part of my work in my role as the inaugural Public History Collective Post-Baccalaureate Fellow. The end goals of this project are to conduct 20-25 oral history interviews with Black alumni; edit and transcribe those interviews; create a collection on the library’s Digital Grinnell page; and launch the “Black Legacy at Grinnell” webpage I started, which is hosted on WordPress. I am looking to achieve these goals by the end of the 2026-27 academic year. I am seeking a Vivero fellow to assist with the design and launching of the Black Legacy at Grinnell website.
Historically, Black and minority communities have been either erased or minimized in history. This project and work aims to make space for their stories and gather a more honest and collective understanding of Black life at Grinnell. I am looking for a student who is interested in archival and public-facing history work that centers Black voices, stories, and experiences. I’m looking to partner with a fellow who is passionate, curious, and excited about this work and understands its importance; who is familiar with or demonstrably interested in learning more about WordPress; and who brings some knowledge about Edith Renfrow Smith, ‘37, DHL ‘19, the namesake of Renfrow Hall and the first Black alumna of Grinnell College.
