This timely and gorgeously illustrated companion book to an exciting Smithsonian exhibition
explores the power of Afrofuturism to reclaim the past and reimagine Black futures
Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures explores the evolving and exhilarating concept of
Afrofuturism a lens used to imagine a more empowering future for the Black community through
music art and speculative fiction. Sumptuous beautifully designed spreads feature 100
gorgeous illustrations of objects and images that reflect Black identity agency creativity
and hope including: T’Challa’s suit from Black Panther Octavia Butler’s typewriter Uhura’s
outfit from Star Trek Sun Ra’s space harp costumes from Broadway’s The Wiz handwritten
lyrics by Jimi Hendrix and Janelle Monae’s ArchAndroid dress. Chapters include essays from a
diverse group of scholars who reflect on themes such as legacy alienation and activism with
profiles on influential people and objects: Foreword & Introduction : Provides background
on Afrofuturism Chapter 1 - Space is the Place: Reflects on space and its defining connection
to Afrofuturism and its African cultural legacy Chapter 2 - Speculative Worlds : Explores
short stories Black speculative fiction and sci-fi comics and Black superheroes as bastions
of Afrofuturist expression Chapter 3 - Visualizing Afrofuturism : Analyzes the vast visual
culture of Afrofuturism Chapter 4 - Musical Futures : Explores Afrofuturism and music Afterword
Afrofuturism offers a framework of radical potential to envision Black liberation and
alternatives to oppressive structures like white supremacy. Afrofuturism comes at a time of
increasing visibility for the concept both in scholarship and in pop culture and is a
compelling ode to the revolutionary power of Black imagination. CONTRIBUTORS : Reynaldo
Anderson Tiffany E. Barber Herb Boyd Ariana Curtis Eve L. Ewing Tuliza Fleming Nona
Hendryx N. K. Jemisin John Jennings Steven Lewis Mark Anthony Neal Alondra Nelson De
Nichols Elaine Nichols William S. Pretzer Vernon Reid Matthew Shindell Kevin M. Strait
Angela Tate Michelle Wilkinson Ytasha L. Womack Alisha B. Wormsley and Kevin Young
