Paige PG Watkins

Paige PG Watkins is a nonbinary organizer, facilitator and organizational strategist from Detroit. PG believes that organizing and storytelling are interconnected and is committed to using both mediums to shift dominant oppressive narratives and change the material conditions of Black people in Detroit and beyond. They co-founded Black Bottom Archives (BBA) in 2014 along with a collective of young, Black Detroiters who saw an opportunity to collect stories and experiences to weave a more complex and truthful narrative representation in a changing (read: gentrifying) Detroit landscape. Their experience with organizational development, grassroots organizing and facilitating intergenerational healing and visionary spaces has given them the tools to lead BBA through a collaborative strategic planning process and create goals and priorities that will sustain BBA’s work and the legacy of Black Detroiters across time. PG was formerly the Associate Director of Detroit Narrative Agency, where they co-led the process of supporting DNA filmmakers to develop moving-image projects and impact strategies and create opportunities to grow Detroit’s narrative-shifting ecosystem. They are a founding member of Black Youth Project 100 (BYP100)’s Detroit chapter and a board member of the James & Grace Lee Boggs Center. They graduated in December 2018 from the Master of Community Development program at the University of Detroit Mercy, with a concentration in Organizational Development. As BBA’s Director, PG is responsible for overseeing the administration, programs and strategic plan of the organization. They have been working to develop a deep knowledge of core programs, leadership development and organizational models.