For All My Richmond Folks!!
Check me out this Thursday as I take part in this week’s VCU AFAM Community Lecture!! During this lecture, I will discuss what Afrofuturism is, how it centers Black stories, and how it evolves in response to the contemporary cultural moment.
It’s all going down Thursday, October 9th, 6-7pm, at the Richmond Public Library’s Main Branch, in the Gellman Room. Hope to see you there!!
Did you miss last week’s Meet VCU Authors? Well, guess what, you are in luck!! You can check out my talk from last week on my new Audible, “From the Wiz to Wakanda: Afrofuturism in Pop Culture”!
Last week’s talk was truly an amazing experience. I LOVE when I get to geek out about things that I not only have a professional relationship with, but that I also LOVE!!
Thank you to those who tuned in and to all the future listeners!!
And don’t forget, if you want to listen to the whole series, check it out here!!
On Saturday, in conjunction with the Black History Museum & Cultural Center of Virginia, I will participate in a panel discussion on the significance and importance of the Black Press.
From street corners to kitchen tables, Black-owned newspapers and media outlets have long been a lifeline for truth, resistance, and community in Virginia. This panel brings together journalists, historians, and cultural leaders to honor the enduring power of the Black press—from the bold reporting of The Richmond Planet to today’s digital storytellers reclaiming narrative power in the face of ongoing erasure. Together, we’ll explore the vital role Black media has played in documenting lynchings, exposing injustice, celebrating triumphs, and preserving Black history when mainstream outlets would not. Drawing on the legacy of figures like John Mitchell Jr. and echoing the words of thinkers like Phyl Garland and W.E.B. Du Bois, this conversation will trace the arc of Black media’s impact—from folklore and griots to journalism and social media.
I look forward to seeing all who can attend!
Free to attend. You can register here!!
Happy Monday!! I am SUPER excited to finally share….I’m officially on @audible !! When this opportunity came across my email inbox, I literally had to re-read the message several times to make sure I was not tripping!! Seeing it all come together is a process I will never forget! Grateful and Thankful!!
A dream come true!! Bucket list item checked off!! Let me just say this: researching, writing, and the actual recording were no joke, but I am sooooo glad I did it!! This was such an amazing opportunity to create and write a six-episode series titled, “From the Wiz to Wakanda: Afrofuturism in Pop Culture”!!
The series, which can be found on Audible and The Great Courses, explores:
Afrofuturism is a cultural movement that seeks to explore and transform the experience of the African diaspora. Stretching across multiple art forms and genres, the movement taps into the limitless potential of creativity and the imagination to envision Black liberation through stories, music, architecture, fashion, music, and so much more.
In the six lessons of From The Wiz to Wakanda: Afrofuturism in Pop Culture, Grace D. Gipson of Virginia Commonwealth University will trace the history of the movement and introduce you to the writers, artists, and creators who are revisiting the past as they build a new vision for the future. From the work of pioneering Black writers like W. E. B. DuBois to the blockbuster Black Panther films and beyond, you’ll see how Afrofuturism is an ongoing cultural project that grows stronger and more multifaceted with each new generation of Afrofuturist creators.
A movement of both reclamation and innovation, Afrofuturism offers unique perspectives that will only continue to grow and evolve, challenging us to rethink the way we engage with history, pop culture, and our conception of the future. By fostering creative visions that push boundaries and shatter stereotypes, the Afrofuturist movement brings new, diverse narratives to life that are transforming our pop culture landscape in revolutionary ways.
When it is all said and done, Afrofuturism is a cultural and social movement that continues to evolve and transform the landscape of pop culture!!
Such an awesome experience!! #DrGChronicles #PopCultureScholar #Afrofuturism #CreativeScholarship
I hope you enjoy!! Let me know what you think!!
Check it out here and share with your friends!!
Welcome to Shanghai!!
Another item checked off the list…. riding the Bullet Train!!
Such a smooth ride!! #DrGsChinaTakeOver
#TeaTimeAnyone…. Nothing like a refreshing and relaxing tea tasting!
As the national drink of the country, what better way to partake in this authentic experience!
Got a chance to taste a variety of teas ranging from oolong, green tea, jasmine, black tea, and a fruit tea!!
Some more tea goodness…
All very delicious and good for you!! #DrGsChinaTakeover #WorldTraveler #Globetrotter
#AMAZING…. Got to check off a major item on my bucket list…One of the wonders of the #NewSevenWondersOfTheWorld!!
Walking and climbing the Great Wall of China!! Once used as a form of protection from other countries trying to invade, it spans 13,170 miles (21,196 kilometers), and is the longest man-made structure in history.
Let me tell you this, it is not for the faint of heart!!
You gotta pace yourself and take your time…’Cause on this day it was 100 degrees!!
5.12 miles later…I am so thankful and blessed to have experienced this wonder of the world!!
I DID IT!! Still can’t believe it!!
Later that day… Another site that I remember watching on the news as a young child and seeing it on National Geographic…Tiananmen Square!! Tiananmen is a city square in the center of the city! It has great cultural significance as it was the site of several important events in Chinese history.
For someone like me, who is not from China, this site is best known for the 1989 protests and massacre that ended with a military crackdown due to international media coverage, along with the internet and global connectivity.
As a highly trafficked place, the square contains the Monument to the People’s Heroes, the Great Hall of the People, the National Museum of China, and the Mausoleum of Mao Zedong. It spans 765 x 282 meters (215,730 m2 or 53.31 acres).
Sooooo much history in this massive place!!
As another Back Music Month comes to an end, I reflect back on the ongoing impact of Black Music not just in the United States but worldwide. As an avid concertgoer and overall music fan, I cannot emphasize enough the role that music, and even more so, Black Music has on society. Just look at the recent news of the joint Brandy & Monica concert, the ongoing “Cowboy Carter” tour with Beyoncé, and the many music festivals happening this summer across the globe.
Black Music Month offers an opportunity to celebrate the profound influence of African American musicians on American music and culture, not just in June, but also provides something to embrace all year long. As summer begins, it’s a great time to reflect on the diverse genres and artists that have shaped the music landscape, from blues and jazz to gospel, hip-hop, and R&B, among many others.
To close out this year’s Black Music Month: NPR Tiny Desk Features, let’s see who’s bringing the heat, and a brief reminder of how this month came to be…check them out below:
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Alex Isley
Living Colour
Rico Nasty
Just in case you may have missed this year’s NPR’s Tiny Desk Black Music Month line-up, see the celebrated music albums’ anniversaries being featured:
As noted by Bobby Carter, Tiny Desk Concerts host and producer. “These artists might not be the first you hear in the Pop culture conversation, but they are crown jewels in Black culture. These are our icons.“
Alright good folks….I made it to Beijing and in one piece! Talk about a long travel day, and how about we pretty much lost a day lol….Left on Wednesday night and arrived in Friday morning.
Now before we arrived in Beijing we had a brief layover in Seoul, Korea. Now while we didn’t have enough time to venture into the city we did get a chance to try some good food and snacks. So to tickle my fancy, I tried the fish cakes and crab and fish cake, and then a few sweet treats…definitely quite tasty if I say so myself!
Just enough to tide me over before the second leg of the trip. Oh and let me also say, the airport in Seoul was definitely on my list of cleanest airports…major Kudos! In addition, with regards to airlines, I would definitely fly on Korean Air again! Comfy seats, delicious meal, nice film and television selection, and good service!
So that wrapped up my layover and next stop…Beijing! Let me just start out by saying, I’m not really sure of my expectations, but let’s just say I’m not disappointed so far…
Upon our arrival, our host guides picked us up and gave us a mini lesson while en route to our hotel. So of course we know the 2008 Summer Olympics took place in Beijing (will share pics of Beijing Olympic Park in later posts), it is also the capital city of China, and has over 22 million residents. As one of the world’s most populous cities it is truly a global city and one of the world’s leading centers of culture, politics, business, technology, and tourism. In just the few hours that I have been here, you can clearly see it is a bustling city.
Where I’m staying for this trip is on a strip known as “Wangfujing Pedestrian Street,” it gets this name because the majority of the area is made for walking. Pretty much you can walk around the area get your shopping done and fill your stomach. Within this main area you can find a Nike, Apple, and Fila store, plus a Zara and a Starbucks. And for my luxury brand fans, you got Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Chanel, and Hermes all in close proximity of each other. But that’s not it, there is also a pretty good size mall, “Beijing APM” that has 6 levels of more shopping, food (exotic foods included), and entertainment. While this area is very much commercialized, this is not a new concept. Since the middle of the Ming Dynasty there has always been commercial activities in the area.
This trip so far has been about trying new experiences, so to cap off the night, I decided to try out this hot pot spot for a late night dinner. Just in case you may not have heard of the hot pot (also known as steamboat) dish, it is a dish of soup/stock that is kept simmering while adding an assortment of meats/seafood, vegetables, noodles, and soy-based foods. Think of it like the precursor to the Instant Pot.
Quite tasty if I say so myself!
I think that just about wraps up for the day! Stay tuned for the next day’s events…the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City!
See you all soon!! #DrGsChinaTakeover
As you know, I like to chronicle my travel journeys, and this trip is no different! Each year, I like to take at least one international trip, and this year I am headed off to Asia! I’m definitely very excited about this trip, as I’ve never been before, and I’m looking forward to soaking in some knowledge and having some fun too!
I’m looking forward to all the sights and wonders of the world!!
A few of the sites that I will get to see include:
Oh, and you know I can’t wait to try some authentic Chinese cuisine!! MMMMM GOOD!!
Let me tell you….I am so excited! Per usual, I will make sure to post pictures and give commentary on my journey! I can’t wait to share with you all!!
Now, if you are reading this message, I am probably airborne en route to my first stop…Beijing…then Shanghai!!
Time to collect some passport stamps!!
Until next time….Make sure to stay tuned for a daily dose of Dr. G’s #ChinaTakeover!!
~Dr. G
Black Future Feminist 