February 20th 2025.
Authored by Michele Y. Smith
Throughout history, black creativity has been a powerful tool for resistance, a way to view the world through a lens of liberation, and a means of imagining new possibilities. From Octavia Butler's prophetic novels to Janelle Monáe's groundbreaking album Dirty Computer, black storytelling has continuously reflected and shaped the world around us. As the CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture, I have witnessed firsthand how these narratives allow us to envision a future where black storytelling occupies a central role in a world of joy, resilience, and limitless creativity.
In recent times, a remarkable movement has emerged that showcases the strength of black storytelling in transforming challenges into opportunities. Professors and educators have taken to the popular platform TikTok, creating what has now been dubbed "HillmanTok University". This initiative draws inspiration from the fictional HBCU featured in the TV show A Different World. HillmanTok is a decentralized, community-driven virtual campus where individuals from all over the world come together to share lessons on civil rights, entrepreneurship, life skills, and content creation.
This grassroots movement is not just a clever use of technology, especially in a time where marginalized communities continue to face barriers in accessing education. HillmanTok represents a reimagination of what education can be. It transforms an online platform into a safe space where the black community can come together to teach, learn, and create. It's not just about the lessons being shared, but also about acknowledging the significance of black knowledge and the power of collective learning.
This spirit of collective storytelling and reimagining is what we are celebrating at Black Beyond, the Museum of Pop Culture's latest exploration of black speculative fiction and Afrofuturism. The exhibition features iconic artifacts such as the manuscript for Samuel R. Delany's novel Stars in My Pocket Like Grains of Sand and Geordi La Forge's VISOR from Star Trek: The Next Generation. Black Beyond pays tribute to the countless ways in which black creators, from visionary writers like Nnedi Okorafor to groundbreaking filmmakers and artists, have influenced and expanded the science fiction genre. It is a celebration of black joy, liberation, and the notion of a future where black lives thrive in otherworldly realms that transcend our everyday reality.
Afrofuturism, black speculative fiction, and movements like HillmanTok all share a common goal: to center black people in worlds that have traditionally excluded them. They challenge us to contemplate not only what is, but also what could be. These movements urge us to envision futures where black joy and freedom know no bounds, where we have the power to build better systems, and where we are the heroes of our own stories.
The stories we tell hold immense significance. They serve as the maps we use to envision a world that is more equitable and free. Black storytelling serves as a reminder that black history is not just about looking back, but also about imagining and constructing the future. As we celebrate Black History Month, I invite you to recognize the power of black creativity, not just as a form of entertainment, but as an essential force that shapes our future. Whether it's through the lens of Afrofuturism, the platforms of digital innovation, or the walls of a museum, black storytelling reminds us of what is possible when we dare to dream expansively.
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Photo credit: Natalie Post Courtesy of Michele Y. Smith
Michele Y. Smith is the CEO of the Museum of Pop Culture, known for her mission-focused leadership in the non-profit sector. Her approach prioritizes business development, operations, finance, and emphasizes diversity, equity, inclusion, accessibility, and mentorship. She is a strong advocate for the democratization of philanthropy through the lens of pop culture.
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