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!!
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!!
Need a few suggestions to get you through this week? Ready for the summer? Check out this week’s trailers below:
Season 4- Evil (Streaming on Paramount+ – May 23rd)
Bionic (Streaming on Netflix-May 29th)
The Acolyte (Streaming on Disney + – June 4th)
Bad Boys: Ride or Die (In theaters June 7th)
Longing (In theaters June 7th)
Horizon: An American Saga (In theaters June 28th)
Cross (Coming Soon to Prime Video)
Excited to share another upcoming event that I will be participating in this Thursday with my friends at Suffolk Public Library!!
Suffolk Discovers: Afrofuturism
Afrofuturism expresses notions of Black identity, agency and freedom through art, creative works and activism that envision liberated futures for Black life. With musicians such as Sun Ra, Parliament, and Janelle Monáe, visual artists like Wangechi Mutu, and authors such as Octavia Butler, Afrofuturism imagines the potential of African diasporic futures without the effects of colonialism, capitalism, and racism among other things. In recent work like the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Black Panther movies though, there is a strain of doubt introduced into the hopefully utopian vision of Afrofuturist societies such as Wakanda.
Thursday, April 18th, 2024, 6-7:30 pm
North Suffolk Library (Conference Room), 2000 Bennetts Creek Park Road Suffolk, VA 23435
During the panel discussion we will explore the following questions/thoughts:
You can tune via Zoom or in-person!! Register Here!
Where do I begin…2023 was another year to remember! It’s nothing like looking back on what happened in the world, what things I accomplished, where I’ve been, and what is in store. This is an opportunity to reflect on ALL that 2023 had to offer!! Traditions were made and carried over…tears were shed of joy and sadness…many lessons learned…new friendships made!! Now I know I will not cover everything but just think of this as an extended highlight reel.
So let us begin….
If I could describe 2023 in three words I would say Patience…Process…Breathe. These three words were very much applicable to me and all aspects of my life, and I would even argue to this year!!
Jumping right out the gate…AI has arrived no more hovering in the shadows. Not gonna say too much but not sure how this is all gonna shake out. Let’s just say it has shaken up a whole bunch of stuff. A part of me is like oooooo, and the other is like uh oh!
Continuing in this vein of the not sure where this is going, oh my, disappointments, and fails I’ll just drop a few names Elon Musk/X, The Flash movie, “Dilbert” cartoonist Scott Adams, Jason Aldean, Diddy, The Idol on Max, Jonathan Majors, Prince Harry’s memoir “Spare”, Ozempic, George Santos, the Met Gala cockroach, Jann Wenner, and how about 15 votes to pick a speaker of the House (for him to be later booted out)…trust me there are more, but I will spare you….
How about that Super Bowl performance from Rhianna and then the baby bump reveal?!? A new monarch and the coronation of Charles III, Damar Hamlin’s injury shaking the entire country on the first Monday of the 2023, Keith Lee vs. The City of Atlanta, Barbenheimer, Jeremy Renner being critically injured by his own snowplow, The Mega Millions jackpot tipped over $1 billion, Turkey and Syria were struck by a catastrophic 7.8 magnitude earthquake, India became the fourth nation to successfully land a spacecraft on the Moon, can’t forget the Montgomery Boat Brawl (will never look at folding chairs the same), Samara Joy earning the Grammy ‘Best New Artist’, no more cheap streaming, and then let me drop this mic…André 3000’s flute album [Listening to it as I type…Simply EPIC]!!
And one of my favorite movies of the year dropped this year Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse!! And I will say this with confidence the BEST Spider-Man movie (both animated and live action)…I will fight you for it!
In some #BlackGirlMagic news …. Missy Elliot and Chaka Khan were induced in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, with Missy’s becoming the 1st female hip-hop artist to be enshrined. It was announced that Ida B. Wells and Althea Gibson will be featured on the US quarters in 2025. Issa Rae dropped her new prosecco ‘Viarae’. America’s first gourmet biscuit brand is a Black woman-owned business, “Mama’s Biscuits”. Dove and Open Source Afro Hair Library launched the “Code My Crown” initiative (a guide for coding textured hair and protective styles in video games). Racha Tahani Lawler-Queen made history in Virginia opening the state’s first Black-owned birthing center, Gather Grounded Midwifery [Richmond]. Fisk University made history not just with the first HBCU gymnastics team but also in hosting a meet with all Black women coaches. And in wildlife news, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant became the first Black woman in the U.S. to ever host a wildlife show on broadcast television, NBC’s Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild.
Much like the years before, there was plenty to celebrate in 2023! Professionally, I would see several publications become available to the masses ranging from book chapters edited collections, an article on Black Gamers and Black Girls finding space in comic books, and several book reviews. I’d be featured in various media outlets while continuing to serve my community. I was selected as a Faculty Mentor Fellow for the VCU Undergraduate Research and Creative Scholarship and a Humanities Research Center Residential Fellow-Health & Medical Humanities…both of these fellowships I get to continue the work that I do on Black female representation in comics, media, and popular culture. I’m also building my mentorship and community networks. 2023 would also present several #ProudProfessorMoments, especially seeing my AFAM students participate in the VCU Poster Symposium for Undergraduate Research and Creativity!! This among many other events would be reflected in being awarded the 2022-23 VCU Faculty Champion Award! Throughout this year, I continued to do work on my IG site “Black Girl Magic in Media” and even created a new site that focuses on the statements I make (professionally and personally) through fashion “DrGsTShirtCollection”. In addition to the fellowships, I would present at various conferences all across the U.S. Strides are being made and I’m excited about what is coming next in 2024…A few things in the works that I’m crossing my fingers on!!
Personally, I celebrated my 20th Delta Anniversary of being an illustrious member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. and graduating from Clark Atlanta University (Go Panthers!!) Wow does time fly!! I got a chance to travel to Raleigh, NC to see the Ruth E. Carter exhibit “Afrofuturism in Costume and Design” as well as the AWESOME “Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures” at the National Museum of African American History and Culture, “We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC” exhibits both in Washington, DC. During the early spring, I served as the first keynote speaker for CulpeperCon (Culpeper, VA) as well as participate in numerous events in the 757 area of Virginia centered on Afrofuturism and comics. To jumpstart my summer, I got an opportunity to go camping in West Virginia (nothing like being in nature) and visit the historical site of Storer College (an HBCU in Harpers Ferry, West Virginia, that operated from 1867 to 1955). And I started a new tradition of attending other HBCU Homecoming celebrations so that I can see how my fellow HBCU grads get it in!!
With 2023 being as one of my friends called it “The Jordan Year” I cannot help but think about how this year is like a four-quarter game of your favorite sport. There are multiple chances to get ahead, fall behind, and even come out as the winner. And speaking of sports, there were a lot of FIRSTS and REPEATS! This year we got to see the Denver Nuggets celebrate their first NBA championship, the Kansas City Chiefs won Super Bowl LVII, Brittney Griner made her reappearance in the WNBA after being detained in Russia for almost a year, The Vegas Golden Knights win their first Stanley Cup in only their sixth NHL season, Simone Biles makes history at the US Gymnastics Championships with her 8th all-around title [further cementing that she truly is a G.O.A.T.], Coco Gauff wins the women’s singles at the US Open, the Las Vegas Aces win the WNBA Finals against the New York Liberty becoming the first repeat WNBA champions in 21 years, and the Texas Rangers win their first World Series in franchise history, just to name a few!
We went through a historical SAG-AFTRA (suspended its 118-day strike on November 9) and Writer’s Guild of America strike (suspended its 148-day strike on September 27) and for a minute we were almost at a standstill with television and film. However, even with the strike in effect, several shows shined through in 2023 that are definitely worth mentioning:
With the conclusion of several great series like Succession, Billions, Snowfall, Jack Ryan, and Loki I can only hope there will be more greatness in store for 2024!!
In the music world, Beyoncé went on her Renaissance World Tour (highest grossing to date) and let’s just say folks are STILL talking about it. She put new meaning to “traveling for what you want to see!” Ohhhhh and let me tell you about the NPR’s Tiny Desk concert series, they were killing it with the features this year!! I was like a kid in the candy store every time I got an alert on YouTube!! Some of my faves for 2023 you can check out below:
2023 was also a HUGE celebration for Hip Hop! As we know Hip Hop is not just a genre of music but a WHOLE MOVEMENT!! It would start with a Questlove curated a hip hop tribute at the 65th annual Grammy Awards ceremony, Hot 97-WBLS hosted the Hip-Hop Forever concert at New York City’s Madison Square Garden, Hip-Hop 50 Live at Yankee Stadium, Boom Bap Atlanta: Hip Hop 50 Fest, the National Museum of African American History and Culture’s (NMAAHC) hosted its annual Hip-Hop Block Party in Washington, DC, the Museum of Pop Culture (Seattle, WA) would showcase an exhibit Contact High: A Visual History of Hip-Hop, along with a host of events all around the world. Closing out the year of hip-hop celebration, it was a true treat to see Queen Latifah become a part of the 2023 Kennedy Center Honors!
Shifting gears…Self-care…This year I was more intentional about making sure I listened to my body more while taking care of it. I have said it before, I’m no spring chicken and my body has definitely reminded me of that recently. Starting over the summer I began booking monthly appointments for 60-minute full-body massages (Shout out to my girlfriends Antoinette and Shermaine). And MY GOD they have worked miracles!! Every month is a heavenly treat! That on top of my monthly loc maintenance appointments are just a few things that have become a part of the regular self-care routine. In 2024, I am hoping to add a few more things.
In addition to stepping up my self-care game, I plan to continue collecting more stamps on the passport. Now one thing that I got to do this year, which I LOVE, is travel (especially internationally)! Can’t quite pick a fave place but going to Tanzania and Curacao definitely warrants a return visit! You can check out my blog travels here!! I look forward to traveling the world even more in 2024 ( I already have a few more places planned)!
Switching gears to the music scene, I definitely got my fill of concerts….Catching Dru Hill, Jodeci, and SWV in Birmingham….Going to see Lauryn Hill in Denver for the 25th Anniversary of The Mis-Education of Lauryn Hill album tour (definitely one of the lucky ones)…Witnessing the greatness of Lakeside, Jermaine Dupri, Big Boi, and a repeat performance of SWV at Hampton’s Homecoming…All the way live!!
Now I will say there are several events that I am looking forward to in 2024 especially as it relates to Las Vegas Residencies. Here are a couple that I plan to put on my calendar:
With the popularity of Usher’s residency, it seems like Vegas is becoming the HOT SPOT again!
This year we also lost a great many icons, many of which surprised me and hit me to my core. It never gets easier, but I do continue to be thankful for the legacies that they leave.
This year I celebrated turning “42” my Jackie Robinson year! Another year of blessings and good times with family and friends! I will always be grateful for life and another day to live it!!
Ahhhhh so before this post comes to a close I look forward to implementing a couple of new themes to guide me through the year… #FocusForward and #LightsCameraAction !! Stay tuned for how this will come to fruition!
So as we count down these last few days of 2023 I cannot help but think, Come on in 2024!!
Mark Your Calendars BFF Family and Friends!! I wanted to make sure I shared this upcoming event with you that will be taking place next week! I will be giving a guest lecture/conversation to one of my good friend and colleague Dr. Julian Chambliss’ Afrofuturism course spotlighting Janelle Monáe.
During this lecture/conversation, I will discuss Monáe’s role and impact, as a musician and artist, within the framework of Afrofuturism. This event is part of IAH 207: Afrofantastic: Race, Power, and Gender in the Black Imaginary at Michigan State University.
Check out the flyer and registration details below:
Good People! Good People!!
So it is nothing like having good friends who keep you posted on new goodies that are dropping within the pop culture arena! While preparing for our weekly writing session, my colleague and friend Michael Hall shared with me a new Disney+ animated anthology series that dropped last week called Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire! Immediately I did a quick Google search and to my delight, I was hooked! Premiering on July 5th Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is a new series that blends elements of Africanfuturism, Afrofuturism, cyberpunk, sci-fi, and fantasy to tell 10 inclusive stories of African histories and cultures.
“This is Africa as you’ve never seen it before.” Advanced technology, spirits, aliens, and time travel…SIGN ME UP!!
Produced by Triggerfish Animation Studios and Walt Disney Animation Studios, executive produced by Oscar-winning director Peter Ramsey (Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse, Rise of the Guardians) with Tendayi Nyeke and Anthony Silverston as supervising producers, Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is what Ramsey describes as a series with “recognizable genres and recognizable aspects of contemporary culture, but they’re wrapped in African culture.” You got my attention! Plus the representation of the African diaspora is in full effect, with stories from such countries as South Africa, Egypt, Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda, and Zimbabwe…GAME CHANGER!!
With a cast that includes Florence Kasumba (Black Panther: Wakanda Forever, Captain America: Civil War, Wonder Woman, “Emerald City”), Kehinde Bankole (“Desperate Housewives Africa”, Blood Sisters), Nasty C (“Blood & Water”), Mo Ismail (“Star Trek Beyond”, ) and a plethora of up-and-coming African talent, Kizazi Moto: Generation Fire is definitely gonna change the game of how we tell animated stories!!
Now while I have not watched the series as of yet, I am already convinced this is legit greatness right here!! Just going off the trailer, the diverse representation, vibrant animation still shots, the voice cast, and the series direction, I’m willing to put my money on it sight unseen!
This is totally in my personal and professional wheelhouse!! I am loving that more diverse African stories are being told and shared!! Cause trust me that content has and is there, the whole world just needs to see it!!
And just in case you need a little more convincing see the trailer below:
I am totally hyped about this series and siked that ALL episodes are available to watch!
I know what I will be binging on tonight!!
Hit me up in the comments and let me know what you think!!
February 6th, 2023– “Expanding the Archive & Classroom: Channeling Blackness, Comics and the Speculative”, UVA Wise-Black History Month Lecture Series (Register to Watch Here)
February 7th, 2023- Suffolk Discovers + Black and Super Live Talks: Afrofuturism with Dr. Grace Gipson [IN-PERSON + LIVE] (Register Here for Zoom)
*March 17-18, 2023- The Past Into The Future: Afrofuturism & Ancient Egypt [Featured Speaker], Berkeley Center for New Media [BCNM]-UC Berkeley (Berkeley, CA), Free to Attend, For More Info
March 25th, 2023- “Imagining a World of Possibilities Through Comics and Graphic Novels” [Keynote Speaker], Friends of the Library Presents-CulpeperCon 2023– Culpeper County Library (Culpeper, VA), Free to Attend
For my ATL peeps!! This might be something of interest for you!! As part of the HBCU Exhibition Tour, Our Friend Jean is a one-week Pop up Exhibition Featuring 20+ of Jean-Michel Basquiat “Early Works“.
Our Friend, Jean is a sampling of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s earliest works on loan from several collectors who knew him intimately, as friends, collaborators, and lovers. Featuring 20+ artworks including drawings, writings, apparel, mixed media collages, and ephemera. The group of collectors consists of Jane Diaz, Hilary Jaeger, Katie Taylor, Lucy Sante, Al Diaz, and photographer Alexis Adler who also served as a co-curator with Erwin John and Stevenson Dunn, Jr.. Through this exhibition each collector shares uniquely intimate stories of their friend Jean.
The exhibition lends a voice to the unsung collectors of the world, those who offer an artist critical early support out of genuine friendship. It is precisely this type of support that can spring board an artist’s career to unimaginable heights. Friendship is what distinguishes the group of collectors who are lending their works to the “Our Friend, Jean” exhibition.
This exhibition was curated by The Bishop Gallery and supported by the Hennessey, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, and The Black Group.
The exhibition is free and will be housed at the Clark Atlanta University Art Museum from October 28-November 4.
For more information and to register to attend, see here!!
Black Future Feminist 