Gainesville is set to transform into a vibrant center of Black creativity and imagination as the University of Florida Center for Arts, Migration and Entrepreneurship, known as CAME, hosts the second annual Afrofuturism Week from Jan. 16-30.
Organizers say that this 15-day celebration of futurist, surrealist and creative Black expression builds on the success of last year’s inaugural event looking to make Afrofuturism Week a household name in Alachua County.
This year’s theme, “Furious Joy,” explores the idea of joy as a motivator for resilience and creativity, drawing inspiration from Alice Walker’s book “Hard Times Require Furious Dancing.” Porchia Moore, the associate director for CAME, explained the significance behind the theme. “The idea is that hard times also require furious joy,” Moore said. “I hope that people remember that we are always made better, stronger, more whole when we are together in community.”
The first Afrofuturism Week in 2024 laid the foundation for success, and this year’s expanded program reflects its growing impact. A new approach to the event has been revealed with collaborations with the UF School of Art + Art History, the Harn Museum of Art and other local institutions. Two anticipated events were the opening lecture, “Where Do We Go from Here? Afrofuturism and Dr. King’s Vision for America” by civil rights scholar Hasan Jeffries and the “Furious Joy Art Exhibition,” curated by UF alumna Anani Blakey.
Gainesville resident Oscar Perdomo Gamboa, who has attended previous Afrofuturism Week events, noted how the programming has evolved for the better. “Every year I’ve seen more interesting proposals, more daring proposals, expanding ideas,” Gamboa said. “Every piece of knowledge we can share impacts the community, even if you see only a handful of people, it always affects the community in a positive way.”
Gainesville has become a hub for Afrofuturist creativity, reflected in the frequency of related events held in the city. Local institutions like the Gainesville Fine Arts Association and the Santa Fe College Charles L. Blount Center have embraced the opportunity to contribute to this annual tradition. Brittany Clarke, a staff member at UF’s Center for African Studies and a co-sponsor for the “Afrofuturist Film Watch Party” event, described Afrofuturism as a dynamic force having the potential to reshape narratives and expand perspectives. “When I think about Afrofuturism, I think about exploration and charting new frontiers,” Clarke said. “It’s about reimagining technology, creativity and storytelling in ways that challenge the status quo. This event has broadened my understanding of Afrofuturism—not just as a genre, but as a way to express oneself and make an impact.”
Afrofuturism Week 2025 will culminate with “Art After Dark: An Afrofuturism Celebration” at the Harn Museum of Art. This event will feature a live artificial intelligence demonstration, a Ghanaian-inspired fashion exhibit and the Afrofuturist Fashion Show.
Emphasizing the excitement surrounding the closing event, Moore described it as a vibrant and joyful occasion, expecting a crowd of 700 or more. For more information about Afrofuturism Week 2025, visit http://www.afrofuturismweek.org/.
By Camila Garcia Chirino