#37 - Can Archives Shape What’s Next? Upton Mansion and a $16M Vision | Savannah Wood of Afro Charities
Artist, educator, and Afro Charities Executive Director Savannah Wood joins to reflect on legacy, growth, and leading one of Baltimore’s most ambitious cultural preservation efforts.Savannah has overseen major milestones—most notably, the $16M redevelopment of the historic Upton Mansion, future home of the Afro-American Newspaper (AFRO) archives. We talk about curiosity as a compass, how archives become creative tools, and why joy, movement, and cultural memory drive her work forward.Topics Covered:Activating history through artist commissions and intergenerational programsTransforming the Upton Mansion into a public anchor for Black archivesThe role of tennis and joy in creating grounding spacesUnderstanding cultural stewardship as an inherited and intentional actCollaborating across generations to develop meaningful public programming🎧 Explore more conversations like this in our archive.📸 Photo by Schaun ChampionResources:Silent AuctionWildest Dreams Benefit for Afro Charities – June 7 TicketsAfro Charities WebsiteInstagram: @afrocharities, @savannahinpublic
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