The challenge was to parlay the unique content into an outreach tool by creating an event that would promote archival preservation to an underrepresented demographic. On a very limited budget, we invited an eloquent speaker who made and served Sweet Potato Tort and we created a catalog. The event included a reading from Anna Deavere Smith's Twilight: Los Angeles about societal benefits of eating together, and a compelling talk celebrating values of agrarian black culture.

Steve designed a four-page glossy catalog in-house, featuring eight photographs representing the breadth of the collection; it acts as a keepsake and an educational brochure as well. Through key connections we used social media to reach out to a diverse audiences and Grace and Steve were interviewed on the radio. We hosted the free event, open to the public, in our gallery. High quality, professionally framed enlargements represented a selection of the engaging collection.

The project told an important story nearly lost to history, stirring people to appreciate the value of archives in their lives and the importance of donating archives, knowing there is a place they will be available for research. The event generated awareness that archival collections play an important role in our collective history and inspired interest in using Austin's diverse archives. The exhibit will travel to the New Central Library where it will reach others.