SPARC Supports We Here’s Publication, up//root, with $20,000 Grant

Graphic: Forest green background with cream lettering that reads SPARC x We Here — up//root.

Recognizing We Here’s contribution to the library and archives community through the centering of Black and Indigenous folks and People of Color (BIPOC), SPARC (the Scholarly Publishing and Academic Resources Coalition) has provided a $20,000 grant toward their publication up//root. 

up//root: a we here publication, launched in 2020, is a publishing collective that exists to center the works, knowledge, and experiences of BIPOC within the context of the library and archives community. up//root is currently online and open access with goals of publishing in print in the future. 

“SPARC is for real. With this move, they have joined us on this side that sees that the dominant white publishing world doesn’t care about BIPOC knowledge(s) and experiences and has actively caused harm towards BIPOC communities. SPARC isn’t dictating what we do with our funds; they trust us to lead ourselves.” 

— up//root Editorial Team

We Here, up//root’s fiscal sponsor and umbrella organization, intends on using the grant, internally titled “The Just Getting Started Grant,” chiefly to compensate contractors of up//root for their time and labor, including the Editorial Team of five (including two students), peer reviewers, and contributors. Additionally, through SPARC’s generous grant, exploration of print publishing and a workshop designed for potential authors who are BIPOC will take place. 

“up//root's reimagination of the publication process to prioritize care and justice is an idea that is as necessary as it is radical. The space that We Here is creating to center BIPOC voices, experience, and leadership is vital, and these efforts need to be supported as such and on their own terms.” 

— Heather Joseph, Executive Director of SPARC

We Here 

We Here seeks to provide a safe and supportive community for Black and Indigenous folks, and People of Color (BIPOC) in library and information science (LIS) professions and educational programs, and to recognize, discuss, and intervene in systemic social issues that have plagued these professions both currently and historically. We Here was created first as a private community for BIPOC in LIS (established 2016) and that foundation is centered in all initiatives and endeavors. We Here’s public initiatives includes personal and professional development opportunities through its Community School and a publishing platform through up//root: a we here publication.

Press Inquiries: Jennifer A. Ferretti, We Here LLC, us@where.space