Chicago – What does a media system that loves Black people look like? That’s the central question guiding the Black Future Newsstand, a traveling exhibition by MediaJustice, Media 2070 and Black River Life, which stopped in Chicago on October 4. The Black Future Newsstand featured more than a dozen outlets, magazines and artworks by Black creatives and journalists all uplifting and centering Black narratives and voices. Photos from the event can be seen here.
Over the course of its one-day display, the exhibit attracted hundreds of visitors, with a daytime community unveiling and an evening reception. Attendees had the opportunity to browse curated Black-owned publications and also participate in two panels featuring Pulitzer Prize-winning Black journalists and leading Black editors and publishers.
“The Black Future Newsstand is an invitation for people to dream and imagine a media system that is a lot different from our own,” said Eteng Ettah, Narrative and Communications Director at MediaJustice. “A media system where stories of Black people are affirmed and uplifted…Media isn’t separate from other forms of oppression and they often go hand-in-hand so it’s important to do this work.”
“That future is already here, it just requires us to invest in it and help it flourish” said Collette Watson, founder of Black River Life and co-creator of the Newsstand, referencing the many outlets displayed in the Newsstand. “When we think of a media system that loves and honors Black people, what does that look like? Who is already doing this work and how can we support them?”
“If democracy is in danger, our media and technology system is ground zero for the issue,” said Brandi Collins-Dexter, Organizer, MediaJustice Fellow. Collins-Dexter curated the “Blue Noise” exhibit, which showcased mainstream copaganda juxtaposed against Black outlets. “Media companies have built their entire audiences on perpetuating harmful stereotypes of our communities and Chicago, particularly, has been misrepresented so we wanted to bring it here and acknowledge that history.”
“It’s really important for us to not only dream of reparations, but a future beyond as well,” said Anshantia Oso, Senior Director of Media 2070. “Working towards that future depends on us imagining it. So that’s what the Black Future Newsstand is. Essentially, it’s a portal and we’re saying we’re all going into the future so that we feel motivated to do what we need to do today to achieve that future.”
The Black Future Newsstand’s stop in Chicago was one day only, but organizers have confirmed the next stop: Los Angeles in Spring 2025. Visit BlackFutureNewsstand.com for more details.
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The Black Future Newsstand Project is presented by Media 2070 (a project of Free Press), MediaJustice, Revival Lab and Black River Life, made possible with the support of Race Forward. This activation is part of Race Forward’s nationwide Cultural Week of Action on Race and Democracy.
