Black Gotham is a visual storytelling project that celebrates the impact of the African Diaspora on
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Black Gotham Experience is an immersive visual storytelling project that celebrates the impact of the African Diaspora on New York City since 1625 through walking tours, graphic novels, and our space in the Seaport District.
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We walked with revolutionaries. Thank you for leading our experience on March 4 of an essential New York story before America was America. A tip of the hat to for restoring the history of Black rebellion along the canyon of heroes when enslaved Africans fought for their freedom from the British.
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2.15.23
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Join Virtual Parlor Chat on Wednesday 2/15 at 7PM (registration link in bio), where Kamau Ware of Black Gotham Experience will share his process creating NORTHUP, an audio experience which will premiere at the Morris-Jumel Mansion later this month. NORTHUP is about Anne Hampton Northup, a Black woman whose life was intertwined with the history of the Mansion but has been obscured by a system from which white supremacism is nurtured. Anne's presence within the historic record is also overshadowed by the miraculous story of her husband, Solomon Northup, author of Twelve Years a Slave.
Anne was born around 1808 in Sandy Hill (near Saratoga Springs), New York, to free-Black parents who were property-owning citizens. Despite the legal racial classification as Black as indicated in some census records, the family claimed Black, White, and Native ancestry. In 1829, Anne married Solomon, a professional violinist, with whom she had three children. However in 1841 Anne’s husband suddenly and mysteriously disappeared while in Washington, D.C. for a musical engagement.
Anne began working in domestic service in her teens and was renowned for her skills as a cook. She was working at Sherrill’s Coffee House in Saratoga, NY when her husband was kidnapped and sold into slavery in 1841. Solomon was able to send Anne a letter when he reached New Orleans, informing her that he had been kidnapped, but he was soon sold to another location.
During the period of Solomon’s unknown whereabouts, Anne became her family’s sole provider while trying to locate and rescue her missing husband. During the summer of 1841, Eliza Jumel hired Anne Northup and her children to work at the Mansion, where the family was employed from 1841-1843.
Solomon' story is a powerful epic, lived by a Black man. The story of his wife, Anne, is just as powerful. Join our Virtual Parlor Chat on Wednesday to learn more about Anne Northup and the NORTHUP audio experience, produced by Black Gotham Experience, commissioned by the Morris-Jumel Mansion and funded by Humanities New York.
circa 2015
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My first in-person talk of 2023. Pull up. Nerd out. RSVP link in my bio.
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Join us on Saturday, January 21, for our first public programs of 2023! 〰️〰️
Sound Waves: A Diasporic Dialogue, with Jacqueline Nassy Brown and Kamau Ware will begin at 3:30pm.
Inspired by Neo Muyanga’s “A Maze in Grace” installation in the exhibition “A Mass of Cyborgs” this dialogue will highlight stories and storytellers of Black Liverpool and Black New York, forging connections between people and places central to the history of enslavement and resistance to it. Jacqueline Nassy Brown is an anthropologist at CUNY, and Kamau Ware is an artist, historian, and creator of the Black Gotham Experience.
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This exchange is part of a series of programs at CARA inviting artists, scholars, and thinkers to present their work, in dialogue with A Mass of Cyborgs, on view at CARA until March 5, 2023. Free and open to the public. Reservations encouraged. Kindly RSVP via link in bio.Â
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Copies of Jacqueline Nassy Brown's Dropping Anchor, Setting Sail: Geographies of Race in Black Liverpool (Princeton University Press) will be available in the CARA Bookstore.Â
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closes January 29th 2023
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And here we are on the final day of Kwanzaa. Today’s principal is Imani meaning “Faith”. Without confidence in the unseen, it will remain so. We are grateful to our community that walk & talk with us under the same cloud and those in different time zones. The BGX Fam wishes you all a Happy New Year. Thanks for having faith in us.
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Today is the sixth day of Kwanzaa. An African Diasporic Holiday founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 that celebrates family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa is celebrated in a variety of ways and centralize on the seven principles that are acknowledged over seven days from December 26th to January 1st.
Today’s principle is Kuumba (Creativity).
The Kwanzaa art featured in this post is long time friend of BGX, Adrian Franks
Where would we be without creativity? We are living the dreams of our ancestors. We must push our dreams with creativity for the unborn. Time is a big circle with now in the middle. Use your imagination.
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We’re still buzzing off the April premier of our walk-based experience, “kuzaliwa”, commissioned by the legendary Apollo Theater. Kuzaliwa is Swahili for “birth”, a word we felt was more aligned with the arc of the African Diaspora than “rebirth”. We situate the “Harlem Renaissance” as a conception period for a global Black identity that came into fruition in 1969. Kuzaliwa also happens to be the name of a Holiday created by Dr. Maulana Karenga, the founder of Kwanzaa, to celebrate the life of Malcolm X. The first Kuzaliwa Holiday was celebrated in New York, Pittsburgh, and Compton in 1967, two months after the first Kwanzaa. On this day of Kuumba (Creativity), we salute the liberating power of imagination in the Black experience before, during, and after the “Harlem Renaissance”.
Lead Creative & Guide
- Kamau Ware
Archivist and Research Coordinator & Guide
- Michael Salgarolo
Hosts
- Alyssa Barone
- Ébun Nazon-Power
- Habibah Ahmad
- Kei Williams
Kuzaliwa premiered April 2022. Photos by Elliott Ashby.
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Today is the fifth day of Kwanzaa. An African Diasporic Holiday founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 that celebrates family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa is celebrated in a variety of ways and centralize on the seven principles that are acknowledged over seven days from December 26th to January 1st.
Today’s principle is Nia (Purpose).
The Kwanzaa art featured in this post is long time friend of BGX, Adrian Franks
Purpose is the heart of Black Gotham Experience. It started with the question from a young Black girl from Brooklyn in 2008. “Where were the Black people?”
Honoring and answering that question has been the purpose holding our community together. Twelve years strong and expanding, we remember together what has been obscure for centuries.
asante sana 🙏🏽
asé
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On the day of Nia (purpose) we want to thank our supporters since 2008 that includes friends, family, foundations, kickstarter backers, partners, commissioning organizations, community boards, governmental agencies, schools, universities, diplomatic relations, advisory board members, staff, team members, and of course our members. Looking forward to continuing this celebration as we reflect on an incredible year of remembering together.
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You already know. Let’s go!
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To define ourselves, name ourselves, create for ourselves and speak for ourselves instead of being defined, named, created for and spoken for by others. Axé
Photo: (2015)
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Today is the third day of Kwanzaa. An African Diasporic Holiday founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 that celebrates family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa is celebrated in a variety of ways and centralize on the seven principles that are acknowledged over seven days from December 26th to January 1st.
Today’s principle is Ujima (Collective Work & Responsibility).
The Kwanzaa art featured in this post is long time friend of BGX, Adrian Franks
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shout out to the legendary Apollo Theater for inviting us to their Holiday Board of Directors Party. It was an amazing festive night. We are so proud to have premiered our kuzaliwa commission with you this year.
Big ups to our homies , BGX fam , and the visionary Artistic Director
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Today is the second day of Kwanzaa. An African Diasporic Holiday founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 that celebrates family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa is celebrated in a variety of ways and centralize on the seven principles that are acknowledged over seven days from December 26th to January 1st.
Today’s principle is Kujichagulia (Self Determination).
The Kwanzaa art featured in this post is long time friend of BGX, Adrian Franks
Self Determination is a North Star principle for Black Gotham Experience. When our first walks started in 2010, our aim was to speak up for the African Diasporic history that was missing from public consciousness. We are thankful for this principle and hope the many souls that have been touched by our programs can appreciate the fertile ground of self determination. We want to thank our community & members for powering our purpose.
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Why is this still an argument we, as Indigenous people, still have to fight?
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Indigenous activists and organizations are urging consumers to boycott Avatar: The Way of Water. The director, James Cameron, likened the story of the Lakota Sioux to the making of the movie. Despite that, there is no actual representation of Lakota Sioux in the film. In addition, despite lumping together stories of marginalized Indigenous people, the cast is played by non-indigenous people, a racist caricature coined by activists as “Blueface”.
On Twitter, Dr. BlackDeer offered a list of sci-fi films by Indigenous people telling their own stories to watch instead, which we’ve compiled in the last slide.
Lack of Native representation is a persistent problem in Hollywood, leading to decades of movies and other forms of media that exploit Native culture and identities and often perpetuate racist stereotypes.
Informational Source: Asdzáá Tłʼéé honaaʼéà ( on Twitter)
Blessings, fam.
Today is the first day of Kwanzaa. An African Diasporic Holiday founded by Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966 that celebrates family, community, and culture. Kwanzaa is celebrated in a variety of ways and centralize on the seven principles that are acknowledged over seven days from December 26th to January 1st.
Today’s principle is Umoja (Unity).
The Kwanzaa art featured in this post is long time friend of BGX, Adrian Franks
2.28.1964
It’s cold.
Warm up with some good music and a great book.
or
We’re rooting for the team with the most Black people 🤷🏽‍♂️ But we love Messi too 🤷🏽‍♂️ 🌎🌍🌏
yurrrrr ….
For those who have been on BGX walks like Other Side of Wall Street and Sarah’s Fire, I hope you can appreciate the historic nature of a North African Islamic state beating Portugal.
stay tuned… new project in the works: x
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Todays Google Doodle is blowing my mind. The Father Of The Videogame cartridge technology was this guy? Gerald Lawson??!! Wow! They did not teach me this in school.
We 🖤 our Haitian and Dominican fam. This post ain’t to start no drama but inspire us to get past it. Asé.
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If you’re alone, I am alone with you.
If you’re scared, I am scared with you.
If you need hope, I hope with you.
And I am everyone. And you are everyone. And we are all everyone we can be, in the moments we are given, in this time that we are tested.
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We say trans day of remembrance, resistance, and resilience. I also add rest because when you’re always under attack none of this comes as a surprise, and the only way to stay alive is to stay ready.
Three years ago I was fortunate enough to be included in the “Others Built New York” mural with Black Gotham Experience. My shirt originally said but the artist obliged when I made the request to have it read . There I was on a multi-hundred foot long mural on Pier 17 with Sylvia Rivera, James Baldwin, Alvin Ailey, celebrating my 30th birthday and the 50th anniversary of Stonewall. “Our great city is a better and more interesting place because others have resisted.”
Sending love to everyone who’s got a heart. Everyone who’s looking for safe spaces. Everyone who’s doing the work of liberation. The others.
-đź–¤-
📸:
🖼️: x
x .of.insta = Black Cowboys
Black Gotham Experience: Fall Season 2022 Wrap-Up - https://mailchi.mp/kamaustudios/fall-season-wrap-up Nerdy Thursdays
Join BGX today for a community screener of the first Black Panther film from 4:15pm to 6:00pm in light of Wakanda Week!
Come For Wakanda, stay for đź–¤
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BGX Gallery | 192 Front Street NY, NY 10038 | 6:30pm to 10:00pm | rsvp link in bio
11.10.22 | FIGHTING DARK
Kamau Ware will be joined with architect of the African Burial Ground, Rodney Leon, to honor Dr. Lorenzo Pace. Dr. Pace is the artist who created the Triumph of the Human Spirit Monument in Foley Square. Later that evening, we will screen our FIGHTING DARK film and have a talkback with OG, who is featured in the film.
6:30pm to 7:30pm | Mingle, Drinks, and Music w/
7:30pm to 8:30pm | Conversation w/ and
8:30 to 10:00pm | Mingle, Drinks, and Music w/
___________________________
NERDY THURSDAYS is Black Gotham Experience’s new take on the after-work mixer. Come and enjoy complimentary signature drinks, a thematic soundtrack by the featured DJ, check out our library, and meet new people.
THINK / TALK / MIX / MINGLE
BGX Gallery
Front St between Fulton & John Street / Seaport District (Manhattan)
Train Access: A, C, 2, 3, 4, 5, J, or Z to Fulton Street.
*Segments of the experience may be live-streamed to and/or recorded.*
BGX Gallery | 192 Front Street NY, NY 10038 | 6:30pm to 10:00pm | rsvp link in bio
11.10.22 | FIGHTING DARK
Kamau Ware will be joined with architect of the African Burial Ground, Rodney Leon, to honor Dr. Lorenzo Pace. Dr. Pace is the artist who created the Triumph of the Human Spirit Monument in Foley Square. Later that evening, we will screen our FIGHTING DARK film and have a talkback with OG, who is featured in the film.
6:30pm to 7:30pm | Mingle, Drinks, and Music w/
7:30pm to 8:30pm | Conversation w/ and
8:30 to 10:00pm | Mingle, Drinks, and Music w/
___________________________
NERDY THURSDAYS is Black Gotham Experience’s new take on the after-work mixer. Come and enjoy complimentary signature drinks, a thematic soundtrack by the featured DJ, check out our library, and meet new people.
THINK / TALK / MIX / MINGLE
BGX Gallery
Front St between Fulton & John Street / Seaport District (Manhattan)
Train Access: A, C, 2, 3, 4, 5, J, or Z to Fulton Street.
*Segments of the experience may be live-streamed to and/or recorded.*
BGX Gallery | 192 Front Street NY, NY 10038 | 6:30pm to 10:00pm | rsvp link in bio
11.10.22 | FIGHTING DARK
Kamau Ware will be joined with architect of the African Burial Ground, Rodney Leon, to honor Dr. Lorenzo Pace. Dr. Pace is the artist who created the Triumph of the Human Spirit Monument in Foley Square. Later that evening, we will screen our FIGHTING DARK film and have a talkback with OG, who is featured in the film.
6:30pm to 7:30pm | Mingle, Drinks, and Music w/ DJ InO]
7:30pm to 8:30pm | Conversation
8:30 to 10:00pm | Mingle, Drinks, and Music w/ DJ InO]
_____________________________
NERDY THURSDAYS is Black Gotham Experience’s new take on the after-work mixer. Come and enjoy complimentary signature drinks, a thematic soundtrack by the featured DJ, check out our library, and meet new people.
THINK / TALK / MIX / MINGLE
BGX Gallery
Front St between Fulton & John Street / Seaport District (Manhattan)
Train Access: A, C, 2, 3, 4, 5, J, or Z to Fulton Street.
*Segments of the experience may be live-streamed to and/or recorded.*
Happy Wakanda Week 🙅🏽‍♀️🙅🏾‍♂️
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Wakanda Forever. November 11.
The Nerdy Thursdays this fall season 🙏🏽 … so needed. As Above So Below 🌊
NORTHUP x Nerdy - https://mailchi.mp/kamaustudios/northup-x-nerdy
BGX Gallery | 192 Front Street NY, NY 10038 | 6:30pm to 9:30pm | rsvp link in bio
11.03.22 | NORTHUP
Join us for a behind the scenes conversation on our latest commission “NORTHUP” with Kamau Ware (writer/creative director/artist) Kei Williams (writer), and Asmaa Amadou (designer).
NORTHUP is a BGX audio walk commissioned by the mansion that elevates the story of Anne Northup. RSVP to learn more about this upcoming project.
6:30pm to 7:30pm | Mingle, Drinks, and Music w/ DJ InO]
7:30pm to 8:30pm | Conversation
8:30 to 9:30 | Mingle, Drinks, and Music w/ DJ InO]
_____________________________
NERDY THURSDAYS is Black Gotham Experience’s new take on the after-work mixer. Come and enjoy complimentary signature drinks, a thematic soundtrack by the featured DJ, check out our library, and meet new people.
THINK / TALK / MIX / MINGLE
BGX Gallery
Front St between Fulton & John Street / Seaport District (Manhattan)
Train Access: A, C, 2, 3, 4, 5, J, or Z to Fulton Street.
*Segments of the experience may be live-streamed to and/or recorded.*
192 Front Street
New York, NY
10038
| Thursday | 12pm - 10:30pm |
| Friday | 12pm - 7pm |
| Saturday | 12pm - 7pm |
| Sunday | 12pm - 7pm |
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