By Stacy M. Brown | NNPA Newswire
A new exhibition debuting next spring at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African
American History and Culture (NMAAHC) will celebrate Chadwick Boseman’s Black Panther
hero costume.
“Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures,” opens on March 24, 2023, and features the late
actor’s iconic gear.
Black Panther counts as the first superhero of African descent to appear in mainstream
American comics, and the film is the first major cinematic production on the character.
“Investigating Afrofuturist expression through art, music, activism and more, this exhibition
explores and reveals Afrofuturism’s historic and poignant engagement with African-American
history and popular culture,” Smithsonian officials wrote in a news release.
“From the enslaved looking to the cosmos for freedom to popular sci-fi stories inspiring Black
astronauts, to the musical influence of Sun Ra, OutKast, P-Funk and more, this exhibition
covers the broad and impactful spectrum of Afrofuturism.”
Through the 4,300-square-foot temporary exhibition, visitors will view a variety of objects from
Afrofuturism pioneers, including Octavia Butler’s typewriter, Nichelle Nichols’ Star Trek uniform
as the character Lt. Nyoto Uhura and Nona Hendryx’s space suit-inspired costume worn while
performing with LaBelle.
The exhibition also utilizes select objects to elevate stories that speak to Black liberation and
social equality, such as Trayvon Martin’s flight suit from Experience Aviation, and his childhood
dream of being an astronaut.
“Trayvon Martin’s flight suit tells the story of a dream of space flight ended tragically by
earthbound violence,” said Kevin Young, the Andrew W. Mellon Director of the National Museum
of African American History and Culture.
“We are honored to tell more of Trayvon’s story, exploring his love of flight and mechanics and
his fondness for science and technology. Afrofuturism charts the joy of a rich, imagined future,
often in the face of injustice.”
Since its opening in 2016, NMAAHC has supported conversations, collections and initiatives
surrounding Afrofuturism.
“Afrofuturism: A History of Black Futures” will be on view in the museum’s Bank of America
Special Exhibitions Gallery from March 24, 2023, through March 2024.
For more details about the new exhibition and to sign up for additional updates, visit the
museum’s Afrofuturism website at https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/exhibitions/afrofuturism