Dear Supporter: Since graduating, with my Ph.D., in information Science & Interdisciplinary studies from The University of North Texas in December 2024, I have been surviving with the bare minimum. When I graduated, I was caught up in the new administration who came for librarians and education first, making it difficult to secure a full-time academic position. The only way I could survive in this political climate was to create my cohort, but at this time gas prices, food, and lack of institutional support for future students—especially as it pertains to Black history and archives—are keeping participants from registering. Right now, I owe rent ((the library resides in a separate space in my residence) and don't have the funds for the remaining months of May, June, July, and August. I'm also trying to keep my business afloat and am in jeopardy of losing my legacy—storage in Houston, Texas—that holds the archives for the physical library I'm opening. Although I was recently hired as an adjunct at the University of Central Missouri, I am only teaching one course this summer, which I pray leads to more in the fall, but it's not enough to cover my immediate needs. My summer and fall cohort: African American Community Archives Theory has only one enrollee, and my immediate community is also struggling that I would typically lean on at this time.

The funds will help me pay rent for the next few months, keep my business and storage secure, and preserve the archives for my future library. This support will give me the breathing room to focus on my new teaching position and grow my cohort, so I can continue building my legacy.

Thank you for your prayers, support, and love. I appreciate you so much during this time in my life. I never knew that I would have to create a GoFundMe for myself.

Respectfully, Dr. kYmberly Keeton, M.L.I.S., C.A., Ph.D.

My Website: https://www.kymberlykeeton.site/

The Library: https://artlibrarydeco.space/

The Society: The Friends of ART Library Deco