Abstract

Through an examination of artistic production and research initiatives, this essay explores the creation of the archives of the African diaspora in Italy. These artworks and initiatives seek to reveal the obscured histories and centuries long presence of peoples of African descent. The essay argues that these critical interventions contribute to ongoing debates surrounding African migration, second and third generation Italians of African descent, and anti-Black racism in Italy. The essay finally posits that these interventions imagine a «futurity» based upon the exploration of the past and present of African descent peoples in Italy.