kYmberly Keeton, an Information Science Ph.D. student with a concentration in data science is the recipient of the Award for Outstanding Community Service by the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) – Austin, TX Chapter.

kYmberly, who received her MLS degree from UNT in 2014, is currently the African American Community Archivist & Librarian at the Austin History Center, Austin Public Library. Keeton’s work is about forming collaborative partnerships, building relationships with the community, and collecting, archiving, and sharing experiences about Austin’s African American History.

“In the past three years, kYmberly has brought the Austin History Center to the African American community and the city in general,” said Mr. Nelson E. Linder, President of the NAACP Austin, TX Chapter.

 “She has highlighted the importance of Black history and African American culture in the city as well. She has also inspired this community to take an active interest in learning about their own history and knowing their ancestors through genealogy. She has brought a new emphasis to the city by detailing and chronicling the importance of history and culture to this city and America as well.”

In her present role, kYmberly documents and archives African American narratives in Austin, Texas. Some of her projects have included hosting the first African American forum: Post Gentrification Continuing the African American Narrative in Austin, Texas through Documentation, Community- Legacy Building, and Social Justice. She also coordinated the African American traveling exhibition: A Place for All People: Introducing the National Museum of African American History and Culture, through the Smithsonian’s Traveling Exhibition Service, and curated an art salon at the Holt Gallery (Austin, TX).

In addition to this award, kYmberly was honored to be selected as a 2020 Mover and Shaker by the Library Journal, a prestigious award that recognizes librarians and library workers who have done transformative work in their libraries, schools and communities. She was also the recipient of the Research Institute for Public Libraries (RIPL) diversity scholarship. In 2019, she received the Austin Civic Futures Award for Community Inclusion and Engagement.

Keeton is the founder and director of ART|library deco an online African American digital art library, documenting the visual experience of art and literature through the eyes of various artists and institutions in the United States and abroad. She is also the Chief Artistic Officer of NOVELLA MEDIA, a creative multimedia production company.

About the NAACP: Founded on February 12, 1909, the NAACP is the nation's oldest, largest, and most widely recognized grassroots-based civil rights organization. Its more than a half-million members and supporters throughout the United States and the world are the premier advocates for civil rights in their communities, campaigning for equal opportunity and conducting voter mobilization.

Published December 18, 2020