Niya Friday (she/they) is an artist and archivist from Charlotte, NC. She obtained a bachelor’s degree in African and African American Diaspora studies with a minor in environmental science from UNC-Chapel Hill, where she conducted archival research at Wilson Library and scientific research at the Highlands Biological Station. She returned to UNC-Chapel Hill and obtained a master's degree in Library Science with a concentration in Archive Resource Management. She is passionate about helping people engage with archival research in creative ways. She conducts creative workshops across North Carolina, encouraging people to think deeply and help shape collections that reflect them.
SBG Bookclub
Creative Portfolio
The #SmartBrownGirl book club is widening space for the public to engage with research, theory, and history across a wide-range of backgrounds and knowledge bases.
By pairing texts with historiographical components via reading guides/syllabi and hosting live online group discussions, we allow the public to participate in the type of dialogical reading typically confined within the gates of elite institutions.
Located Online, Focused on the Black Girls in the Forgotten Spaces…
Creative Workshops
“How to” zine workshop
Black Love Day workshop
Spring Chapel Hill-Carrboro Book Crawl Zine Making Workshop
SNCA/ SCAA Many Voices, Stronger Archives: Advocacy through Community- Zine Workshop
Designing Merchandise
Sticker Designs:
I worked with Carolina Firsts, an organization dedicated to supporting and empowering the first-gen population at UNC designing stickers to celebrate National First Generation Week 2025.
I worked with The Student Association of Black Librarians, an organization aims to create a space for community and professional development, and camaraderie between Black Library and Information Science students.