Join us for a powerful and illuminating three-part lecture series with Dr. Timothy E. Nelson, author of Blackdom, New Mexico: The Significance of the Afro-Frontier (1900-1930), as he uncovers the nearly forgotten story of Blackdom—a bold Afrotopian experiment in liberation, land ownership, and Black self-determination at the turn of the 20th century.

Part 1 African Colonizers in Diaspora (45 mins)

Africans in Diaspora were both Colonizers and a part of the colonized. This presentation introduces the development of “Race” in the diaspora, as exemplified in the lives of Juan Garrido (c. 1519) and Frank Boyer (c. 1903).

Don’t miss this opportunity to reclaim and reconnect with this vibrant chapter of New Mexico and Black American history.

Don’t miss this opportunity to reclaim and reconnect with this vibrant chapter of New Mexico and Black American history.

Hosted by the ACLU of New Mexico Black Donor Network

Lecture and Q&A with Dr. Nelson

The Significance of the Afro-Frontier: Blackdom, New Mexico (1900-1930)

Black History Month 2025 Author Lecture and Book Signing

The Afro-Frontier: Blackdom, Borderlands, and African Diaspora in the Digital Age

January 28, 2025 | 5:30 pm - Doors Open at 5 pm

Las Golondrinas YouTube Link: The Afro-Frontier: Blackdom, Borderlands, and African Diaspora in the Digital Age

@bike.poc annual "Pass the Mic” panel discussion on equity, history, movement, and how we can co-create and imagine our futures together. Our panelists, historian, author Dr. Timothy E. Nelson, pro cyclist Ayesha McGowan, entrepreneur, investor, and consultant Emma Willis are leading incredible change in their communities. Together, we'll explore the power of community, creativity, and collaboration to build a more inclusive and equitable world for all.

Thanks to @visitbentonville for helping support BAM Week and @themomentary for being such generous hosts!

The Branigan Cultural Center will focus on the holiday of Juneteenth with Historian Dr. Timothy E. Nelson as a part of our "Pull Up A Chair" speaker series June 20, 2024 - Noon to 1 pm being held at the Thomas Branigan Memorial Library, Roadrunner Room.

June 21, 2024, 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM - Las Cruces Downtown Plazan - Dr. Nelson will be selling and autographing books at the Juneteenth Jazz Arts Festival.

Juneteenth Celebration - Open Space Visitor Center

Come join us as we honor the rich deep history of black Americans and celebrate the present-day culture of all African diasporas and African descendants. We will have conversations about where we come from, where we are, and where we're going.

10:00am -12:00pm What Happened to Blackdom? Presented by Historian Dr. Timothy E. Nelson (inside)

You can register on their website Southern Soul Thursdays Registration

Or register on eventbrite to contribute a small fee Community Sovereignty - Youth, Freemasons, and Ministers

Enchantment and Transformation

84th Annual Meeting
March 26-30, 2024
El Dorado Hotel & Spa
Santa Fe, New Mexico

Three (3) Santa Fe Public Library Book Readings

Saturday, March 2, 2024 - Southside Library, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Saturday, March 9, 2024 - *LaFarge Library, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm (February 10, 2024 - La Farge Reschedule)

Saturday, February 24, 2024 - Main Library, 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

Bookworks － Local. Independent.

4022 Rio Grande Blvd NW, Albuquerque, NM 87107  ||  505-344-8139  ||  Open Daily 10am-6pm

Thursday, February 8, 2024 - 6:00pm

We are so excited to welcome Dr. Timothy E. Nelson for a reading and signing of his book, Blackdom, New Mexico: The Significance of the Afro-Frontier, 1900-1930.

Russell Contreras interviews Dr. Timothy E. Nelson about his first Academic book Blackdom, NM: The Significance of the Afro-Frontier published by Texas Tech University Press July 2023.

Founded at the turn of the 20th century, Blackdom was an incorporated town in southern New Mexico formed by Black settlers.

Reoriented to Mexico’s “northern frontier,” one observes Black ministers, Black military personnel, and Black freemasons who colonized as part of the transmogrification of Indigenous spaces into the American West. Nelson’s concept of the Afro-Frontier evokes a “Turnerian West,” but it is also fruitfully understood as a Weberian “Borderland.” Its history highlights a brief period and space that nurtured Black cowboy culture. While Blackdom’s civic presence was not lengthy, its significance—and that of the Afro-Frontier—is an important window in the history of Afrotopias, Black Consciousness, and the notion of an American West.

Founded in 1931, Carlsbad Museum fulfills its mission as a cultural and educational institution through the collection, preservation, exhibition and interpretation of artifacts, documents and works of art relating to prehistory of the City of Carlsbad, the surrounding communities of southeastern New Mexico and the greater American Southwest. (575) 887 - 0276

NEW FRONTIERS IN BLACK PLACEMAKING: Afrotopias of the West
PANEL WITH DR. ASHLEY ADAMS, DENISE KADARA, DR. TIMOTHY E. NELSON, AND LA BARBARA JAMES WIGFALL; MODERATED BY DR. ANDREA ROBERTS

Part of the 2023 Sara Shallenberger Brown Cultural Landscapes and Sites Symposium

Blackdom, New Mexico: The Significance of the Afro-Frontier (1900–1930)

• In Event: Authors Book Signing

Thu, Sep 21, 7:30 to 9:00pm, Jacksonville Hyatt Riverfront Hotel, Conference Center A-Thursday Author's Book Signing 3rd Floor

Intersecting and Exploring Conscious Resistance: Claiming All of the Narratives within Black Spaces

Session Submission Type: Roundtable (10 am - 11:30 am EST - 8 am - 9:30 am MST)

Abstract

“The significance of being Black; WAS, and IS the intrinsic value one carries/d inside of the so-called ‘Black’ body.” Organized and funded by hegemonic society, too often, Black Revolution has been reduced to nostalgia detached from true intentionality. In the latest colonial project and cycle of perpetual genocides against “Black” Peoples, this panel is an effort to encourage exploration of the full spectrum of Black Consciousness as well as Black History to continue efforts to seek consciousness, community and sovereignty.

Guest Acts:

Tony Parisi, Joel Nakamura, Stacey Sullivan De Maldonado, Joerael Numina, Pop Lazarus, Dr. Timothey E. Nelson, Sammy Arriaga, Rae Isla, Nessy the Rilla, Emma Miller, Robbie Firestone, Alexander McCaig, Christian Lemp, JenJoy Roybal and special guests David Berkeley and Tiago Arrias of Monsoon Season

Blackdom, New Mexico: The Significance of the Afro-Frontier

Thursday, Sep 14, 2023, 6pm at Marlene Nathan Meyerson Auditorium

Join us for Dr. Nelson’s book launch – Blackdom, New Mexico: The Significance of the Afro-Frontier (1900-1930). Historian Timothy E. Nelson and Matthew Contos, Director of Creativity & Learning will explore the notions of Afrotopia; Q&A and book-signing to follow.

Finding Blackdom - Mittie of South Virginia Street: A One Act Play

PURCHASE TICKETS NOW> https://teatro-paraguas.ticketleap.com/blackdom/

Friday, June 23 - 7:00-8:30 pm | Saturday, June 24 - 7:00-8:30 pm

Sunday, June 25 Matinee 2:00-3:30 pm

Engage the concept of Afro-Frontierism: people of African descent reclaiming their own history and culture, and creating a new narrative that is based on their own experiences and perspectives.

Written by Timothy E. Nelson | Produced by Marissa Roybal

Script Edit Collaboration - Danielle Reddick, Loveless Johnson and Marissa Roybal

Historical Dramedy READING: Engage the folks of Blackdom, intermittent history lessons from Historian Timothy E. Nelson; with a Q&A to follow.

Danielle Louise Reddick, Loveless Johnson III, Dee Anaya and Sāsha McGhee.

Suggested Donation: $10 per person

2023 NMSU Black Programs - Juneteenth Celebration - June 16, 2023 - 4 pm – 7 pm

NMSU Corbett Center Outdoor Stage

Celebrating Freedom Our Ancestor’s Courage and the Persistent Fight for Equality!

New Mexico History Conference 2023

What Really Happened to Blackdom?

MARCH 30 – APRIL 1, 2023

The New Mexico History Conference, signature event of the Historical Society of New Mexico, has taken place in locations all over New Mexico since the 1970s. For the very first time, the 2023 conference will be held in unique, friendly Silver City, the heart of an area rich in history and culture. Home to Western New Mexico University, Silver City boasts multiple historic neighborhoods, two museums, a thriving downtown, and a vibrant arts community. What Really Happened to Blackdom? [YouTube Link]

Join us in honor of Black History Month as we welcome historian Dr. Timothy E. Nelson to the Maxwell Museum for a special talk about Blackdom, New Mexico. Moreover, see two new and original artpieces on display by folk artist Karen Collins: Blackdom & George McJunkin. After the talk in the Hibben Center, a reception will follow inside the Museum's center gallery, where the conversation will continue informally.

Association for the Study of African American Life and History

Author's Book Talk Events

Black History Month Festival

A Virtual Experience - February 2023

AUTHOR'S BOOK TALK EVENTS WILL AIR ON ASALH TV

4:30 PM - 6:30 PM MST | 6:30 PM - 8:30 PM EST

Monday, February 13, 2023

Join Dr. Nelson for his Book Presentation on YouTube and engage him on a LIVE Audience Chat

Keynote Speaker Abstract:

FREE event, open to the public! | IN-PERSON AND VIRTUAL PRESENTATION

Replay the Recording: https://youtu.be/iH4DUIBZw7I

Narratives about “frontier” spaces reflect peoples’ entrepreneurship, opportunism, and grit. However, Black Peoples in the same spaces appear feckless side notes to the historical trajectory of history. For example, Blackdom on Wikipedia and in New Mexico’s K-12 Social Studies books project the violent perpetual racialization of Native and Indigenous Peoples; with, purported insignificance of “Black” people in the popular tri-cultural narrative.

The current narratives about Black people migrating from the South to America’s western frontier at the turn of the Twentieth Century fundamentally fails to capture the dynamism. Exoduster is a pervasive term that characterizes the motivations of Black migration narratives in the post-bellum and post-Reconstruction eras as a fear of White people and their violence. The “exodus” captured the idea that Black people migrated to escape the horrors of racist subjugation and violence indicative of Southern politics and culture.

By extension, stories of All-Black (incorporated) Towns describe a promised land—one ordained by God and predetermined for the “refugees.” Scholarly narratives imply Black inferiority or lack control over their fate. As part of this keynote address, The Afro-Frontier Thesis authorizes alternative narratives that quarantine notions, and the effects of White Supremacy to undergird the historical agency of people under the conditions of American Blackness within Mexico’s Northern Frontier.

This is an inner circle invitation only event. REGISTRATION REQUIRED

10:00 am MST | 9:00 am PST | Noon EST

Descendants will be in attendance.

[Contact us if you would like to know about future meetings.]

New to Blackdom: Visit our website to do some basic research on your own, FAQs page, Dr. Nelson's bio, or watch a past event video.

Learn more about Blackdom: Read this article. El Palacio Magazine | Blackdom in the Borderlands

Advanced about the history of Blackdom? Learn about The Significance of the Afro-Frontier in American History, US West History, Borderlands, New Mexico, New Mexico Black History, The New Mexico Homestead Act of 1862, Blacks in the West by reading Dr. Nelson's Dissertation.

Join us and feel free to ask questions, challenge Dr. Nelson, share what you know if you are descendant, a scholar, an artist, a history buff. That engagement will make the discussion much more engaging.

TIMOTHY E. NELSON, PH.D - Blackdom, New Mexico

A Virtual Presentation on the history of the only incorporated all-black town in New Mexico

Wednesday | February 16th, 2022 | 4:30 p.m. MST

“Our highest attended adult program with 197 participants.” ~Santa Fe Public Library February 2022 Report

Blackdom, New Mexico Recording HERE> SFPL Virtual Presentation with Dr. Nelson

This program is sponsored by Friends of the Santa Fe Public Library