Collage and Protest: Weaving Hidden Voices into African American Activism at the Library of Congress

A single protest photo can hold more stories than a textbook chapter. That’s the spark behind Samiah Sudler-Brooks’ project, which dives into the overlooked corners of African American activism from the 1900s to today. Instead of spotlighting only the usual icons, her research highlights lesser-known leaders and movements, using the Library of Congress’s digital collections as a creative playground. Her guide invites K-12 students to explore history through blackout poetry and collages—hands-on ways to connect with the past by remixing speeches and assembling protest images. This approach not only uncovers activists like Ida B. Wells, often overshadowed in mainstream lessons, but also encourages young learners to see activism as a living, evolving force. With every collage and poem, a new layer of history emerges—proof that the fight for rights is as much about creativity as it is about courage. #AfricanAmericanHistory #Activism #LibraryOfCongress #Culture