Preserving Black Voices: Why We Are Doing Our Part to Archive Miami's Black History

If you walk through Overtown today, you see a neighborhood in transition. You see the new construction, and you see the history standing tall in the shadow of it. But what you don't always see are the stories held in the memories of the elders, the family photo albums tucked away in closets, and the oral histories that define who we really are.

At Key2MIA, we believe that people are greater than places. A building can be preserved, but if the story of the family who lived there is lost, the history is incomplete.

That is why we are proud to have launched "The Last Word: Overtown Stories," a public art and archiving project made possible by the SEOPW CRA (Southeast Overtown / Park West Community Redevelopment Agency).

Who Gets to Write History?

Too often, the history of Black neighborhoods is written by observers, not residents. It’s written in headlines or city planning documents.

The Last Word is about changing that. It is about ensuring that the people of Overtown—the ones who built it, sustained it, and love it—get to have the final say on their own narrative. We are creating a living archive that combines oral history with public art, turning our shared memories into permanent monuments of our resilience.

Join Us This Saturday: Community Day

On Saturday, January 24, 2026, we are co-hosting our first Community Day in partnership with the SEOPW CRA to continue this collection process. We aren't just looking for "facts."

What we are looking for:

• Old Photographs: Do you have pictures of Sunday dinners, block parties, or everyday life in Overtown from decades past? Bring them. We will scan them digitally so you can keep the originals while contributing to the archive.

• Oral Stories: Instead of a recording booth, you will find Green Benches placed throughout the space. The bench was once seen as a tool for segregation in parts of Florida, but has always been the "front porch" of our community—the place where news was spread, wisdom was passed down, and the real stories were told. We invite you to sit on the bench and record your story right there. We will have team members present to assist, or you can record it yourself. It’s about comfort, conversation, and community.

• The "Cousins": Bring your elders. Bring your neighbors. We want to hear from the people who know this soil best.

  
  

Supporting the Next Generation of Storytellers

History isn't just about the past; it's about who carries it forward. The artwork you will see at the event was created by some of the incredible students of Booker T. Washington Senior High School.

These students have visualized the stories of their community, and their work is available for purchase.

• Support the Artists: We are asking for a minimum donation of $200 for these pieces.

• The Impact: 100% of the proceeds will go directly to the school and the student artists. When you buy a piece, you aren't just buying art; you are investing in the young creative minds of Overtown.

  
  

Why This Matters

As Miami changes, our stories are at risk of being displaced along with the people. By archiving them now, we ensure that no matter what the skyline looks like in 10 or 20 years, the spirit of Overtown remains rooted in truth.

We are taking history out of the museums and putting it back in the hands of the people.