Modern Griots Recap: A Is For Anansi

“Why do I love children? I think it is because the child in each of us is our most precious part” – Walter Dean Myers’ Brown Angel: An Album of Picture and Verse Despite the destruction of two storms in New York City, the A Is For Anansi conference carried on last weekend, and despite […]

I Could Dance, Dance, Dance All Night: Octavia

After attending the Oya and Anyanwu program on Wednesday, I did a search on the Anyanwu from Wildseed and came across a dance performance, called Octavia. Dancer Staycee Pearl choreographed this project and presented it last year. It is a tribute and exploration of Octavia Butler’s work and life, bringing her magical and sci-fi literature […]

Modern Griots Review: Oya and Anyanwu — The Faces of Change

Without stories, we are nothing but shells, only giving others the physical form of ourselves. Stories ground the spirits and forces around us and make them real. Oya priestess Isoke Nia expressed this sentiment last night at the Schomburg Center in Harlem at the enlightening tribute to the Yoruba orisha, Oya, and writer Octavia Butler. […]

Modern Griots Review: Kiini Ibura Salaam’s “Ancient Ancient”

The ancient mysteries of life hold in their grasp the power of seduction. We find seduction, being led away, in a sexual experience, a sensual touch, the coming of a new life or death, the physical movement of bodies in a dance, the allure of magic, the call of nature, the possibility of a new […]

Modern Griots Spotlight: Kiini Ibura Salaam

“Sexuality-cum-sensuality is the experiential link between mind and matter, the vivid and eternal refutation of the alleged dichotomy between them. This understanding … is the throbbing glistening heart of Kiini’s body of work. This book is alive. Be not afraid,” is how author Nisi Shawl (Filter House) introduces Kiini Ibura Salaam‘s latest collection of short […]

What Is Afrofuturism? Part 15: Proto-Afrofuturists

Here are two articles that present previous movements and writers who influence current Afrofuturism and Black Speculative Fiction: “Afrofuturism as an Extension of the Black Arts Movement:” …Tracing Afrofuturism back to its roots, several familiar names stand out. One of those is W.E.B. Dubois, who with his 1920 short story “The Comet” may be the […]

Moving on the Wires: URB ALT, MUV, Mahogany Masquerade, Anthologies, Alien Race Bodies

*This Saturday, Muthawit Orchestra will be performing with legend Leon Ware at the 7th annual URB ALT Festival at BAMCafe in Brooklyn, New York City. The show starts at 8:00 pm. *Also, this Saturday, the Caribbean Cultural Center African Diaspora Institute will be presenting a dance event, Moving with MUV in Brooklyn, New York. The […]

Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth: K. Tempest Bradford

I came across the other day Angry Black Woman’s blog book series on science fiction and fantasy works, including those from people of color. Two of her series, “I Got Your Book” and “Short Fiction Recs 2012, give great lists of works for you to read and see. Also, take a look at some of […]

Otherwordly Videos: Women of Power

The film is Y: The Last Man Rising [Fan Film], starring Kent King and Travis Quentin Young. It is based on a critically-acclaimed comic of the same name about a plague that has wiped out all the men on the earth except one, Yorick (Young). Special Agent 355’s (King) job is to protect his life […]

Otherworldly Videos: Invisible Universe

Invisible Universe: A History of Blackness in Speculative Fiction documentary trailer (dir. M. Asli Dukan) A history of blackness in speculative fiction explores the relationship between the Black body and popular fantasy, horror and science fiction literature and film and the alternative perspectives produced by creators of color. This documentary features interviews with major writers, […]