By Vee L. Harrison
The Afrofuturism movement in art uniquely merges science fiction, Black culture, and Black history in spaces that are dedicated to helping preserve its relevance and value in the arts, globally. Illinois Humanities, recently hosted a virtual event to spark dialogue about this three-dimensional, extraterrestrial art realm and its relationship to Black history.
Illinois Humanities hosted AFROFUTURISM: A VIRTUAL CONVERSATION on the 154th birthday of W.E.B. DuBois, author of the 1920’s Afrofuturist, sci-fi short “The Comet”. The event featured a discussion with Chicago’s critically acclaimed filmmaker, dancer, scholar, and award-winning author of Afrofuturism: The World of Black Sci Fi & Fantasy Culture (2013) Ytasha Womack, and curator, scholar, professor and bestselling author of a variety of graphic novels, John Jennings.