The Obsidian Archives include blog posts, critical essays, and fan fiction written by BGC members, contributors, and community. Take a trip through time and peruse through the blog, Critical Companion series, and Hogwarts BSU project for inspiration, nuanced critiques, and wonderful stories written in the Wizarding World!
Featured Creators
Meet Black women who are creating space and art, learn about their process, and why they believe it is important for Black people to be creators. We feature a new Creator at the beginning of each month.
Vegalia
Meet Vegalia, a multidisciplinary artist with a focus on photography, illustration and product design.
Sierra Elmore
Meet writer and owner of XOXO, Sierra, Sierra Elmore.
Dionne LaTouche
Meet Dionne LaTouche, creator of the lifestyle and wellness brand, The Jayne Elle Shop.
Elbi Elm
Meet Elbi Elm, founder of The Culturist Union.
Naima Tine
Meet visual artist Naima Tine and check out her work!
Tonisha Kimble
Tonisha Kimble is a bookseller and publishing consultant from Gulf Coast, MS.
Polly Irungu
Polly Irungu is a photographer, journalist, digital editor, and community builder.
Nadia Odunayo
Meet Nadia Odunayo, creator of The Storygraph.
Author Spotlight
Author Spotlight: Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole & Nelda LaTeef
Meet Dr. Johnnetta Betsch Cole and Nelda LaTeef, authors of African Proverbs for All Ages.
Author Spotlight: Breeshia Wade
Meet Breeshia Wade, author of ‘Grieving While Black: An Antiracist Take on Oppression and Sorrow.’
Author Spotlight: Louisa Onomé
Meet Louisa Onomé and get her book ‘Like Home’.
Author Spotlight: Kara Lee Corthron
Meet author of ‘Daughter of Jubilation,’ Kara Lee Corthron.
Author Spotlight: Tracy Deonn
Meet author of the contemporary fantasy novel ‘Legendborn,’ Tracy Deonn.
Author Spotlight: Jordan Ifueko
Meet author Jordan Ifueko and get her debut fantasy novel ‘Raybearer.’
Author Spotlight: Kristina Forest
Meet author Kristina Forest and get her latest book, Now That I’ve Found You.
Author Spotlight: Kalynn Bayron
Meet author Kalynn Bayron, and get her debut novel Cinderella Is Dead.
We Black & Nerds
Our blog was a space that worked to be representative of our realities and experiences as a way to counter the ones largely depicted in the mainstream. The blog hosted a variety of commentary on popular culture including book reviews, television and film recaps, personal essays, and our contributor-led series The Critical Companion, a bi-monthly themed project that delved into different aspects of critical fandom.
The Critical Companion
Black History Month and the Magic of Cultural Retention
DJ reflects on how Black cultural retention is its own form of magic and how it can be used in our every day to shape and mold our futures.
Niobe and the Power of Life and Death
Latonya finds Stranger Comics’ Niobe Ayutami to be an inspiration in the way she embodies life and death.
Representation vs Presentation: Writing Blackness into Dragon Age: Inquisition
When given the choice to play as your own race or a fantasy race, which would you choose? Janae’s answer may surprise you.
Imagining the Decolonization of Science Fiction
Nicole defines her view of Afrofuturism and imagines what science fiction could do if it wanted to be bold.
My Minister Been Black: An Analysis of Hermione Granger
Kai examines how Hermione’s Blackness puts the onus on her as a Black woman to save the Wizarding World.
Sacrificial Narratives: The Exploitation of Ariana Dumbledore in Harry Potter
In this #CriticalCompanion, Talia takes a look at Ariana Dumbledore, ableism, and abuse in Deathly Hallows.
The Beautiful Bossiness of Hermione Granger
Zeena recognizes the Hermione that was in her all along.
The Invitation ‘Black is King’ Gives Us
DJ Wilson reflects on Beyoncé’s film ‘Black is King,’ and the invitation the project gives members of the African diaspora.
Avatar: The Last Airbender Ships are Meant to Be Fun, Not Destructive
Whether you ship canon ships or non-canon ships, it should be a subculture of like fans, not a battlefield of in-fighting. Critical Companion Ebony explores.
Hogwarts BSU
Hogwarts BSU was a fan fiction project that asked Black Potterheads to imagine what it would be like to be Black in the Wizarding World. Read stories of Black students at Hogwarts, Black businesses in the Potterverse, and Black Wizard History, and feel free to add your own stories to Archive of Our Own using the tag Hogwarts BSU!
Foreign Exchange Chapter 8
Henry is given a clue to his mysterious heritage.
Greenwood Academy Part 7
Greenwood Academy deals with the aftermath of the attack.
Understanding
Desiree is angry with Blaise.
Greenwood Academy Part 6
Sadie and the others work to protect Greenwood.
Fake Dating and Unbreakable Vows
Nicola needs a date for the Slug Club Christmas party, and she knows just who to go to…
Greenwood Academy Part 5
Sadie and the others are welcomed to Greenwood Academy.
The Houses of Zabini II
Blaise Zabini looks back on some important moments during his time at Hogwarts.
The Initiation
Haywood Bellgrove attends an important meeting at the Beauvais home.
