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When examining the Black past within the European archive, we are often confronted by the distinction between a vast presence yet little representation. An overwhelming presence in the archive, in the museums, in the books but an overall absense of self-narration. The presence that is readily available pushes us to reflect upon the work that must be done to facilitate the emergence of research and reflections that centralized histories that have been marginalized and indicate to us how much work there is to be done in order to move beyond the shortcomings of those academic approaches that have been designed quite directly to produce the margins themselves. The methodologies, tactics and practices that we engage along with the individuals that we look to in order to carry forth this work need a re-imagining capable of addressing the faltering approaches that have led us to where we currently sit. Examining the work of Black Archive Alliance (http://blackhistorymonthflorence.com/project/black-archive-alliance/), a research platform advanced by The Recovery Plan, On Being Present (https://www.uffizi.it/en/online-exhibitions/on-being-present) a virtual exhibition curated by BHMF for the Gallerie degli Uffizi and exhibitions like K(C)ongo. Fragments of Interlaced Dialogues dedicated to the work and research of Sammy Baloji, this presentation will discuss access as a critical necessity that bridges the gap between the socially engaged academic sphere and the people it intends to serve.