Black Humanities in the Midwest (BHIM) is a collaborative humanities initiative based at Indiana University. We support Black scholarship, art, and civic life across the Midwest region through three research labs, partnerships with community organizations, and a growing public archive of recovered work.
Our work is rooted in a simple truth: memory is never lost, only the art of forgetting. BHIM exists to remember—to uncover, celebrate, and sustain the Black intellectual and creative traditions that have shaped the Midwest for generations.”
Dr. Lasana D. Kazembe
Co-Principal Investigator & Co-Director (IU-Indy)
Black Humanities in the Midwest
FOUNDING OF BROOKLYN, ILLINOIS — FIRST BLACK-INCORPORATED TOWN IN AMERICA
BLACK AMERICANS LIVING IN THE U.S. MIDWEST
Black-owned businesses in the U.S.
BHIM’s research spans scholarship, applied projects, and the recovery of voices the historical record left behind. Browse the latest archives and scholar spotlights.
Our work is organized into three humanities labs, each with a distinct focus. Together they incubate scholarship, advance applied research, and ground the work in the lived experience of Black communities across the Midwest.
BHIM is an active community of scholars, fellows, and partners. Workshops, symposia, community gatherings, and public talks happen across the Midwest year-round, and new writing and news from the labs publish regularly. Here’s what’s current.
Discover the rich tapestry of Black communities, institutions, and cultural formations across our 12-state region. Our interactive map reveals the interconnected histories and vibrant present of Black life in the Midwest.
