Ghost Records in the Archival Empire: Africana Cultural Heritage Stewardship at Historically White Institutions.

The article examines the challenges historically white colleges and universities (HWCUs) face in building diverse, inclusive, and equitable archival collections documenting African American history and culture. It identifies three interrelated mechanisms—financial, epistemological, and cultural—that hinder the acquisition, description, and stewardship of Africana primary sources in these institutions. Financial constraints, entrenched standards of historical significance rooted in white-centric narratives, and library cultural norms such as the ideology of neutrality and vocational awe contribute to slow progress and persistent gaps in collections. The article emphasizes the need for systemic institutional change, including increased funding, revised collecting philosophies, diversified staffing, and collaborative partnerships with historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) and communities, to create reparative and accountable special collections that better represent marginalized histories.