In honor of Juneteenth, the Black Thought Project and Media 2070 joined forces to unveil the Black Future Newsstand, a live, in-person, custom-built installation.
The installation is guided by the question, “What does a media that loves Black people look, feel, sound, and taste like in a future where reparations are real?” The launch of the Afrofuturistic newsstand drew a large crowd of collaborators, artists, writers, and supporters to envision a media where reparations are a reality and the media centers on Black stories and narratives.
Hundreds of guests visited the exhibit during the week it was on display, reading curated Black-owned publications, meeting contributing artists, and speaking with organizers about the stories they want to see in the news. The installation included a Black Thought Wall where visitors could write directly on the outer walls of the newsstand in response to questions such as “What stories do you want to see” and “What do you love about yourself?”
“We have poured our hearts, souls, art, dreams, and self-love into this newsstand. We’re so grateful to bring this project to Harlem and are overwhelmed by the turnout and positive reception,” said Media 2070 co-creator Collette Watson. “It’s important that Black people own and control our narratives and that Black expression is protected. These Black-owned publications provide a space for us to breathe and offer our perspectives and gifts.”
“There are so many people who have done the utmost to bring this newsstand to fruition, and our gratitude can’t be overstated,” said Alicia M. Walters, creator of the Black Thought Project. “We are here to practice centering Blackness together and celebrate what is possible when Black people come together in creative matrimony.”
“Umber was created for moments like this,” said Mike Nicholls, founder and creative director of Umber Magazine, one of the featured outlets in the Newsstand. “We’re all about globally amplifying creative perspectives that matter, and I’m honored and humbled to have Umber be part of Black Future Newsstand. It’s critical to create and promote the future you want to see, particularly as it relates to Black publishing and journalism.”
The Black Future Newsstand will remain in The Africa Center’s Teranga Cafe until July 31, where people can see featured outlets and artwork and read the special “Black Future News” edition of the New York Amsterdam News, created in partnership with the Newsstand team.
The Black Future Newsstand Project is made possible with the generous support and collaboration of Free Press, Maven Collaborative, and Borealis Philanthropy’s Racial Equity in Journalism Fund. Institutional partners include The Africa Center and The Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture.
Mañón Media
Mañón Media is a PR firm committed to helping changemakers and disruptors get the news coverage they need to raise awareness, spread a message and make change. Learn more at tiannamanon.com and see recent blog posts, placements and current clients.
Photo credit: 1-2) Black Future Newsstand.
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