ABSTRACT
The introduction to this text makes a case for radical intentionality in Black digital humanities (DH). By first defining the term and situating it historically within the context of Black Studies and Black activism, the co-authors make the case that Black Digital Studies has the power to shift the tides in academia. Then, drawing on lessons learned as project leaders on one of the first Black DH programs in the U.S. (African American History, Culture, and Digital Humanities Initiative – AADHum), Steele, Lu, and Winstead offer guideposts and strategies for students, faculty, administrators, and funders for how to move in this space with more equity and care. Radical Intentionality argues that all Black DH programming must achieve three primary goals to be successful: first, the core of Black DH work must center the Black people doing the work and who will benefit from the work; second, Black DH must move beyond tools to engage in an intentional critique of the impact of technology on the lives of Black people; and, third, the future of Black DH is bound together in the intentional praxis of community building that breaks away from the siloed, individualistic and false meritocracy of the academy. Ultimately, we think there are many ways to achieve these goals, but it always begins with intentionality.
