Who Decides What Gets Remembered

Join us for this virtual conversation about cultural preservation, community memory, and the unexpected power of LEGO bricks as an archival tool in collaboration with the Chicago Public Library's Archives and Special Collections Division and their new exhibit, Stories That Click: Reimagining Chicago Brick-by-Brick, on view on the 9th floor of the Harold Washington Library until April 30, 2027. Official archives have always made choices about what to collect, what to catalog, whose objects matter enough to preserve. For communities of color in particular, those choices have often meant erasure by omission. Hot combs, grandma's kitchen tin, the durag, these aren't typically the objects that end up behind museum glass. Most Incredible Studio exists to change that. By translating culturally specific objects into LEGO compositions, MIS is doing something archives have rarely done making memory tactile, collectible, and community driven. This panel brings together archivists, builders, scholars, and community members who are living at that intersection, and asks the bigger question of what preservation looks like when the people being preserved are the ones holding the bricks. Moderator Syreeta Gates is an Archivist and the founder of Most Incredible Studio, an independent creative house that designs cultural collectibles using LEGO® bricks as a medium. She makes memory tangible; translating legacy, identity, and everyday culture into artifacts you can hold, display, and pass down. Jen Builds is a passionate marketing and product development professional. She’s a dedicated LEGO hobbyist who turned to the bricks during a challenging time to channel her energy. Sahara Haney is a LEGO Ambassador, educator, and content creator with 15 years of experience. Her work highlights how building with LEGO® bricks can foster mindfulness, spark creativity, and bring people together. Jazmin Towe is an award-winning journalist and multimedia storyteller whose work focuses on people, moments, and everyday experiences that shape our communities. Her reporting has appeared in national publications, and as a Creator-in-Residence with Most Incredible Studio, she explores how creativity can preserve the stories and objects that connect generations. Christopher Thomas, mixed-media artist. How to Attend This event takes place on Zoom. Register at least 24 hours before the event. Chicago Public Library cannot collect personal information online from kids 0 to 13. A parent or guardian’s email address must be used to register. As a reminder, school email addresses may block external emails such as those from CPL. Only one registration per household is needed. You’ll receive an email with a link to the secure Zoom meeting about 24 hours before the meeting. Automatic transcription is included in all CPL events using Zoom. Accessibility Need sign language interpretation or other accessibility assistance for this event? Please call (312) 747-8184 or email [email protected] to request accommodations. Requests must be made at least 14 business days before the event. Attending CPL Online Events Questions about attending online events? Check out our Events FAQs. Sign Up Here