BLK MKT Vintage: Reclaiming Objects and Curiosities That Tell Black Stories
Description
This one-of-a-kind treasure trove of Black cultural ephemera, from the entrepreneurs behind the vintage shop BLK MKT Vintage, expands on their mission to curate vintage objects that tell Black stories and celebrate the contributions Black people have made to our American consciousness.
Jannah Handy and Kiyanna Stewart have spent years scouring piles, stacks, bookshelves, and dilapidated boxes in search of themselves and their history, Black history. Through their Brooklyn brick-and-mortar BLK MKT Vintage and online shop, they have uncovered tens of thousands of items including vintage literature, vinyl records, clothing, art, decor, furniture and more.
BLK MKT Vintage: Reclaiming Objects and Curiosities That Tell Black Stories invites readers into Handy and Stewart’s work and partnership as they pick, collect, curate, design, and reimagine futures for the objects of the past. Brimming with more than 300 photographs of vintage pieces of ephemera, the book is a beautiful, ephemeral object itself calling to mind a scrapbook or family album that has a surprise on every page whether that’s 1972 celluloid pins from Shirley Chisholm’s presidential campaign, early 1800’s hand-drawn maps of the African continent, or 1920’s bound yearbooks from various HBCUs. The book also explores the various concepts that ground Handy and Stewart’s work; interviews with Black archivists, artists, memory workers and collectors – including a foreword from Spike Lee; a look into their private collection of thousands of items they have discovered over the years; an explanation of the different players in the antiques and vintage world; and tips and tricks on how to begin your own collection and curate physical spaces that reflect your identity and experience.
Praise for BLK MKT Vintage: Reclaiming Objects and Curiosities That Tell Black Stories
“BLK MKT Vintage invites us on a profound journey of rediscovery and reclamation, highlighting iconic pieces from our past and sharing nuanced perspectives on what it means to be a collector and a curator . . . It’s a future piece of history itself, showcasing the enduring mystique and creativity embedded in the artifacts of Black culture and the people who shape it. It’s a must-have.”
—Justina Blakeney, artist, author, designer, and founder of Jungalow
“Kiyanna and Jannah’s generous offering celebrates the collectors, the archivists, the preservers, and the memory workers . . . This book not only celebrates items from our past but reminds us to hold tight to the items we cherish now—because one day, they, too, will become collector’s items for a future generation.”
—Lena Waithe, actress, writer, and producer
“BLK MKT Vintage is doing the painstaking heart work of documenting the cultural legacy of Blackness in America. Reclaiming objects . . . is an antidote to anti-Blackness and an elixir for weary Black souls in need of an infusion of the possibilities for the future that can be weaved from the past.”
—Tarana J. Burke, author and founder of the Me Too movement
"This book is a celebration of African American culture, showcasing the strength that emanates from our connection throughout the diaspora…To safeguard this legacy is to empower future generations with the knowledge of this rich heritage, fostering a profound sense of identity and pride."—Kwame S. Brathwaite, Director of The Kwame Brathwaite Archive