From Archives to Wikipedia: Learning, Sharing and Opening Up Black Histories

What happens when archives, communities and open knowledge come together?

This summer, Black Cultural Archives (BCA) began exploring this question through a partnership with Wikimedia UK (WMUK), creating new opportunities for people to engage with archives, share knowledge and improve the representation of Black histories online.

At the heart of it was a Wikipedia Edit-a-thon on 30th July 2026 — an evening of learning, discussions and collective editing that brought together community members and new Wikipedia editors to explore how they and archival collections can contribute to wider public knowledge.

The session created a space for participants to think about how histories are recorded, who gets represented online and how archives can help communities tell their own stories. Participants explored public research, improving open knowledge through Wikipedia while using archival sources, increasing representation of Black histories online, and developing new research and digital skills.

One attendee reflected: “I think it is important to get the tools and skills to be a part of the collaborative work, that is Wikipedia. It keeps it alive and diverse.”

For many, the Edit-a-thon was their first opportunity to understand how Wikipedia works behind the scenes. They shared that they came because they wanted to: “Better learn about how to use Wikipedia as a tool to integrate Black and non-White histories into wider collective knowledge.”

The session demonstrated that editing Wikipedia is not just a technical skill but also a way for people to actively participate in shaping public knowledge. One attendee shared: “I feel better equipped and empowered to use my knowledge of Black British history as a tool for editing Wikipedia and dissipating wider perspectives online more generally.”

Expanding BCA’s presence on Wikimedia Commons

We also developed our presence on Wikimedia Commons — the free media repository.

We uploaded 14 images that represent BCA as a living archive — showing staff, volunteers, community activities and the work that happens behind the scenes to preserve and share collections. Rather than simply putting images online, the project encouraged us to carefully think about how collections can be shared openly and thoughtfully.

Learning new skills and building confidence

One of the strongest outcomes has been seeing confidence grow, not only among participants, but also among BCA’s Collections Team. Working with WMUK, the Team develop a deeper understanding of open access, copyright, and the practical processes involved in sharing collections online. These skills will support future projects and help BCA continue making its collections more accessible.

A community approach to knowledge sharing

A key reflection has been the importance of community-led knowledge sharing. Archives are not only collections of documents and photographs; they are living records created through people’s experiences, memories and contributions. By connecting archival collections with platforms like Wikipedia, communities can help ensure that important histories are actively and correctly shared.

The biggest lesson from this project is that open knowledge works best when it is shared — when communities are not just represented, but actively involved in creating and shaping the stories that appear online.

Thanks to funding from Wikimedia Foundation’s Knowledge Equity Fund, we’re advancing how we share, protect and celebrate Black British history