The importance of Black family history, advocacy, and its influence is of great significance to Shantia. Shantia Estes (they/them), an Institute of Museum and Library Services fellow and an undergraduate student majoring in Elementary Education. Shantia found their passion for family history long before joining the program. Photographs and items are what bring Shantia into the journey of memory keeping and being a part of documenting Black Collections, alongside fellow, Taelor Bishop, and their mentor Jessica Salow, who helped them navigate the pathways of making connections with the past and the future.