BADEMS is a research project funded by the European Research Council, focused on early modern Spain and its connections to the broader Iberian World. At the heart of the project lies the untold story of Black Africans and their cultural contributions, emphasizing the broad spectrum of their artistic and intellectual influence. The project examines how Black Africans reshaped and contributed to early modern cultural narratives of Blackness, and how their cultural practices influenced processes of belonging, identity formation, and survival. By uncovering these historical legacies, BADEMS challenges traditional narratives of European history and identity.