About Us
The Compton Community Archive envisions a community-owned space where Black and Brown residents reclaim, preserve, and celebrate their histories. By documenting Compton’s narratives, we create a living archive that reflects the city’s lives, contributions, and cultural legacies. Through shared stewardship, digital access, and education, we ensure future generations see themselves in the historical record.
The Compton Community Archive is built on the principle that history belongs to the people who create it. Instead of attempting to claim personal archives, we provide a space where community members can preserve, share, and access their own histories on their own terms. By fostering a culture of shared stewardship, we ensure that Black and Brown communities maintain control over their narratives while benefiting from archival resources and preservation tools. Our role is to facilitate access, provide digitization support, and create spaces where individuals and families can see their histories represented in the broader story of Compton.
Preserving Our History
We’re here to help preserve your family history by digitizing personal archives and VHS tapes. Whether it’s old photographs, letters, or home videos, we’re here to help you protect your memories for future generations.
Community Workshops
Our digitization workshops equip residents with the knowledge and tools to safeguard their family archives, reinforcing the idea that preserving history is a communal effort.
Ever Evolving Archive
We are committed to accessioning and digitizing existing ephemera to ensure the preservation of our community’s past. We work to ensure that Compton’s evolving narratives are continually documented and accessible for generations to come.
Submissions
Send us your personal archives to be added to the collection. We welcome photographs, letters, artwork, home videos, VHS tapes, etc. any and all forms of media that have captured your memories.
Our offices are also more than happy to help you digitize any physical pieces that you’d like to be archived. We’re here to offer and teach the service.
Archive
Support Us
Spread Awareness
Let others know that we’re here and ready to assist with all of your archiving needs. Be apart of our mission and join the community we’re building!
Connect with Us
We’d love to unite with you and continue the work we’re about with as many people as possible. If you’d like to come in to volunteer or host an event with us, we’re more than happy to partner with you!
Donate to our Archive
Each donation of any size and type is greatly impactful. Submitting your already existing digital archives, coming in to digitize your physical memories, or donating to help support our services goes a long way.