June 28th 2023.
In celebration of Juneteenth, the Black Thought Project and Media 2070 have joined forces to bring an innovative live newsstand to life. Titled “The Black Future Newsstand”, this installation was designed to answer the question: “What does a media that loves Black people look, feel, sound, and taste like in a future where reparations are real?”
The installation can be found in The Africa Center’s Teranga Cafe in Harlem, New York. Hundreds of creatives gathered to experience the alternate world where reparations exist and the media centers on Black stories. People had the chance to view 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.
Co-creator of Media 2070, Collette Watson said in a news release: “We have put our hearts, souls, art, dreams, and self-love into this newsstand. We’re so thankful for the success of the project and the amazing turnout. It’s important that Black people have control over our stories and can express ourselves freely. These Black-owned publications provide a safe space for us to tell our stories and express our talents.”
The exhibit featured a Black Thought Wall, which gave visitors the opportunity to respond to questions such as “What do you love about yourself?” and other open-ended prompts. Umber Magazine was one of the featured publications at the newsstand. Mike Nicholls, the founder and creative director of the news publication commented: “Umber was created for moments like this. We’re all about amplifying creative perspectives that matter, and I’m so proud to be part of the Black Future Newsstand. It’s essential to create and promote the future we want to see, especially when it comes to Black publishing and journalism.”
The Black Future Newsstand project was made possible with the 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.
The installation will remain open in The Africa Center’s Teranga Cafe through July 31. It is a great opportunity for people to come together and recognize the power of Black thought and creativity. We can all come together to celebrate the possibilities when Black people join forces through creative expression.
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