Explore the dynamic world of my work—click through to discover academic articles, current projects, upcoming events, and digital resources. Each section invites you to learn, connect, and engage in meaningful scholarship. 

• Browse Published Articles in Academic Journals
  
  

• View My Most Recent Curriculum Vitae
  
  

• Explore the Texas African American Community Archives Project

• Download the Digital Poster: African American Community Archives Theory

• Learn More about Black Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (BGLAM)

My research explores African American community archives with a focus on memory work, genealogy, historical documents, oral histories, and cultural memorabilia. My interest in Black university archives began during my tenure as an Academic Art Librarian and Archivist at Lincoln University in Missouri. I later expanded this work as the third African American Community Archivist at the Austin History Center, Austin Public Library, where I engaged deeply with community-centered archives. These combined experiences continue to shape my dedication to developing a lasting framework for African American community archives throughout Texas. 

As an autoethnographer, I explore how researchers advocate for the creation and preservation of African American community archives within Black Galleries, Libraries, Archives, and Museums (BGLAM). Autoethnography (Ellis et al., 2011) is a research and writing approach that analyzes personal experience to better understand cultural contexts. It challenges traditional methods of inquiry and representation, framing research as a socially conscious and justice-driven act. Autoethnographers draw from both autobiography and ethnography to craft their work. In this way, autoethnography functions as both a methodological process and a final product, bridging personal narrative with broader cultural insight.

African American Community Archives Theory (Keeton, 2024) presents a conceptual framework designed to support archiving practices within Black communities. This theory highlights the significance of preserving and organizing information in ways that reflect the unique needs, histories, and cultural priorities of African Americans. Through this lens, librarians, archivists, and community historians are empowered to document and protect Black experiences with accuracy and care. The framework ensures that African American narratives are represented with integrity through thoughtful information management. Autoethnography serves as the core methodology, using triangulation to combine diverse tools and research approaches across both scholarly and community-based settings.