Biography
Organizer
Presenting A Guide to Hosting Accessible Events
On Nov. 1, 2023, Nicholas “Nick” Wantsala joined Yale Library as the first Kenya S. Flash Librarian Resident for the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Accessibility Department, headed by Director Risë Nelson. The three-year residency was established in honor of Kenya Siana Flash, who served as librarian for Political Science, Global Affairs, and Government Information at Marx Science and Social Science Library from 2017 until her death in 2021.
In his role as the Kenya S. Flash Resident, Nick works to identify and offer professional development opportunities and resources to staff members throughout the library system. He also creates and assists in creating community-engagement events and programs that strengthen Yale Library’s relationship with the city of New Haven.
Nick is from Cincinnati, Ohio, but has lived in New Haven, as a residential fellow in Davenport College, for the past year. “Having been in New Haven long enough,” he said, “I know there is a lot of work to be done for the underrepresented communities here. It is both my job and my passion to help in any way I can. That starts with meeting people where they are, uplifting them, and supporting them in ways that best serve their needs.”