Digital Toolkit

Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures

Journey to early America, Wakanda and all the universes, planets and dimensions in between.

Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures explores the concept's historic and poignant engagement with African American intellectual history and popular culture.

This exhibition provides a space to explore the past, present and future of this influential cultural concept through a wide variety of examples literature, fashion, art, film and social activism.

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Costume worn by Nona Hendryx of Labelle, 1975. Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Nona Hendryx of Labelle

Revisit the past, reengage with the present, and reimagine the future of Blackness in America with @NMAAHC’s Afrofuturism exhibition. #NMAAHCFutures https://nmaahc.si.edu/afrofuturism

From Harriet Tubman to Octavia Butler, Black women have followed constellations that help us all envision extraordinary futures. @NMAAHC charts its path in the stars with Afrofuturism: https://nmaahc.si.edu/afrofuturism #NMAAHCFutures

Sci fi. Technology. Music. Pop culture. Activism. Liberation. Afrofuturism is Black resiliency and evolution. Join @NMAAHC in a journey across the stars and galaxies: https://nmaahc.si.edu/afrofuturism #NMAAHCFutures

Explore the intergalactic journey of Black liberation alongside @NMAAHC's Afrofuturism exhibition. #NMAAHCFutures: https://nmaahc.si.edu/afrofuturism

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Journey Through History Your Way

Visit Searchable Museum to continue a journey through reimagined pasts and galactic futures.

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Masked ceremonial dancers near Sangha, Mali

Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures

Our latest exhibition immerses visitors in a conversation that reimagines, reinterprets and reclaims the past and present for a more empowering future for African Americans.

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Discover Educational Resources

Four African American NASA employees including Victor Glover, Leland Melvin, Vanessa Wyche, and Clayton Turner

NASA: Space for Us All

Watch a virtual educational experience that examines and builds on the legacy of achievement, connection and knowledge of African Americans at NASA.

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Explore Space With Astronauts

Follow the journey of NASA astronaut, Commander Victor Glover, and crew as they travel to the International Space Station (ISS).

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Collage of pictures of African Americans who contributed to the nation's space agency, NASA.

A Celebration of African Americans at NASA

Learn about the different ways African Americans have contributed to NASA. This Learning Lab celebrates these individuals, their bravery, their exploratory spirit, and their desires to express themselves fully through their commitment to space exploration.

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As you prepare to experience Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures, our museum offers additional resources to help you share how Afrofuturism speaks to themes of Black liberation, social equality, and a futuristic, utopian vision for an inclusive and diverse society.

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Learn more about themes of technology, sci-fi, space and heroism to envision futures of Black liberation with a reading list curated by museum scholars.

Cover of "Zone One" a book by Colson Whitehead — "Zone One"
By: Colson Whitehead

Cover of "The Water Dancer" a book by Ta-Nehisi Coates — "The Water Dancer"
By: Ta-Nehisi Coates

Cover of "The Old Drift" a book by Namwali Serpell — "The Old Drift"
By: Namwali Serpell

Cover of "The City We Became" a book by N.K. Jemisin — "The City We Became"
By: N.K. Jemisin

Cover of "The Malevolent Volume" a book by Justin Philip Reed — "The Malevolent Volume"
By: Justin Philip Reed

Cover of "Open Interval" a book by Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon — "Open Interval"
By: Lyrae Van Clief-Stefanon

Cover of "Olio" a book by Tyehimba Jess — "Olio"
By: Tyehimba Jess

Cover of "Kindred" a book by Octavia Butler — "Kindred"
By: Octavia Butler

Cover of "Hymn for the Black Terrific" - Kiki Petrosino — "Hymn for the Black Terrific"
By: Kiki Petrosino

Cover of “Deathlok” a book by Dwayne McDuffie — “Deathlok”
By: Dwayne McDuffie

Cover of "Equinox" a book by Samuel Delany — "Equinox"
By: Samuel Delany

Cover of "Black Leopard, Red Wolf" a book by Marlon James — "Black Leopard, Red Wolf"
By: Marlon James

Cover of "Cannibal" by Safiya Sinclair — "Cannibal"
By: Safiya Sinclair

Cover of “The Comet” a book by W.E.B. Du Bois — “The Comet”
By: W.E.B. Du Bois

Cover of “Friday Black” a book by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah — “Friday Black”
By: Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah

Cover of “Infinitum” a book by Tim Fielder — “Infinitum”
By: Tim Fielder

Cover of “Far Sector” a book by N. K. Jemisin — “Far Sector”
By: N. K. Jemisin

Cover of “E.X.O.” a book by Roye Okupe — “E.X.O.”
By: Roye Okupe

Cover of "Black Lightning" a book by Tony Isabella — “Black Lightning”
By: Tony Isabella

Cover of “Aye, and Gomorrah,"; a book by Samuel R. Delany — “Aye, and Gomorrah”
By: Samuel R. Delany

Cover of "Everfair" by Nisi Shawl — "Everfair"
By: Nisi Shawl

Cover of "Beloved" by Toni Morrison — "Beloved"
By: Toni Morrison

Cover of "An Unkindness of Ghosts" by Rivers Soloman — "An Unkindness of Ghosts"
By: Rivers Soloman

Cover of "Binti" by Nnedi Okorafor — "Binti"
By: Nnedi Okorafor

Cover of "Futureland" by Walter Mosley — "Futureland"
By: Walter Mosley

Cover of "The Dome" by Nova Sparks — "The Dome"
By: Nova Sparks

Cover of "Trouble the Saints" by Alaya Dawn Johnson — "Trouble the Saints"
By: Alaya Dawn Johnson

Cover of "Dark Reflections" by Samuel R. Delany — "Dark Reflections"
By: Samuel R. Delany

Cover of "Ballad of the Bladesinger" by Jelani Wilson — "Ballad of the Bladesinger"
By: Jelani Wilson

Cover of “Ronin” by Frank Miller — “Ronin”
By: Frank Miller

Cover of “Isola” by Brendan Fletcher and Karl Kerschl — “Isola”
By: Brendan Fletcher and Karl Kerschl

Cover of “Prince of Cats” by Ronald Wimberly — “Prince of Cats”
By: Ronald Wimberly

Cover of "Good Stock Strange Blood" by Dawn Lundy Martin — "Good Stock Strange Blood"
By: Dawn Lundy Martin

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