This virtual event will showcase the work of Dr. T.J. Tallie, whose project explores the rich yet often overlooked history of Black Queer San Diegans in the late 20th century. Centered around his archival study, “Whose World, Whose Home?”, the program will provide attendees with an engaging and through-provoking experience that blends historical insight, community voices, and reflection.
The event will begin with a brief introduction from Lambda Archives’ Managing Director, Nicole Verdes, who will provide context for the project’s development and its connection to the organization’s collections. Following this, Dr. Tallie will deliver a presentation that guides the audience through key findings from his research. Drawing from archival materials housed at Lambda Archives, the presentation will highlight the experiences of Black Queer San Diegans navigating a period of social and political change between 1988 and 2002.
The virtual program will conclude with an interactive Q&A session where attendees can engage directly with Dr. Tallie. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions about his research, the archival materials, and the broader significance of this history.
Participant Bios:
Nicole Verdes is a dedicated advocate and administrator committed to advancing arts and culture organizations. Since January 2024, she has served as the inaugural Managing Director of Lambda Archives, where she leverages her passion for social justice, arts and culture, and cultural preservation to develop policies that prioritize equity and access.
In addition to her leadership at Lambda Archives, Nicole has held key roles within the San Diego arts and LGBTQ+ communities. She has served on the Executive Committee of the San Diego LGBT Community Center’s Young Professionals Council, as Treasurer on the Steering Committee for Rising Arts Leaders San Diego, and as a member of Diversionary Theatre’s Community Advisory Committee. Currently, she serves on the board of the San Diego Regional Arts and Culture Coalition.
Nicole’s expertise and commitment to preserving LGBTQ+ history are also reflected in her contributions as a book reviewer. She has reviewed Preservation and Place: Historic Preservation by and of LGBTQ Communities in the United States; Communities and Place: A Thematic Approach to the Histories of LGBTQ+ Communities in the United States; and Identities and Place: Changing Labels and Intersectional Communities of LGBTQ+ and Two-Spirit People in the United States.
She has presented on topics such as Youth Archival Futures at the ALMS Conference in Berlin and Archiving for Advocacy: Ethical Practices for Queer + Trans Advocacy at the 2025 Creating Change Conference. Additionally, she has served on a grant panel for the California Arts Council’s Administrators of Color Fellowship initiative.
Nicole holds a Master’s Degree in Sociological Practice from Cal State San Marcos and is a graduate of the Western Archives Institute’s course in Archival Study.
This lecture is organized by Lambda Archives of San Diego as part of Circa: Queer Histories Festival 2025, presented by One Institute.
The mission of Lambda Archives of San Diego is to collect, preserve, and share the LGBTQ+ history of San Diego, Imperial Valley region, and Northern Baja California.