What is a Black Space?
There is no one definition however, a Black Space throughout history has been a space for respite and revival. A space to counteract daily injustices, oppression and violence. A space to learn, to dream, to express, and to actualize.
The Black Space Summit & Symposium calls artists, activists, educators and industry professionals together for the purpose of honouring of our heritage, celebrating our culture, and empowering our community.
BLACK SPACE SUMMIT & SYMPOSIUM EVENTS
BLACK SPACE SUMMIT & SYMPOSIUM EVENTS
September 21
The Cultch
1895 Venables St
Vancouver, BC
A Black Space Media Film Screening: THE PACE
Join us for an evening of Black Film as we screen the short film: THE PACE. The Pace is a drama set in the west coast of Canada, where four inner-city youth must come together to save their beloved community centre. Due to limited resources and gentrification the future of this communities space is becoming more uncertain by the day. As time is running down it’s going to take more than passion and dedication to keep the pace.
New Media: The Rise of AI, Virtual Spaces and Representation (Panel)
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Virtual Spaces (Panel) Invites artists, creators, and digital producers to discuss the recent trend of AI generated art and the role people of African descent play in these emerging communities and spaces. There has been an increased concern over who controls the image and likeness of underrepresented communities and people living in the margins. In Canada, 70% of the media is controlled by just 4 companies. In this panel we will provide information on the current state of art and technology and shed light on potential normative futures and potential pathways to increasing ethical practices within the creation of digital art, virtual spaces, and creative design.
September 22
Vancouver Art Gallery
750 Hornby St,
Vancouver, BC
Mental Health Workshop for Community Care and Wellness.
Mental Health Awareness: Practicing Self-Compassion A space for self-care and community-care (Panel)
The African Descent community has had to process and deal with layers of trauma related to dehumanization, oppression, violence, and anti-black racism. Although there has been a rise in mental health awareness, we are collectively still dealing with mass systemic traumas including the pandemic and hypervisiblity of violent images across social media . The Mental Health Awareness Panel : Practicing Self-Compassion a space for self-care and community-care welcomes participants of African descent communities and allies to explore wellness practices and tools. Through conversation and open dialogue . We intend to offer all participants practical solutions and modalities to address the mental health gaps promoting individual as well as community care.
Septemer 23
SFU Goldcorp Centre for the Arts
149 W Hastings St
VAncouver, BC
TBA
000 East 1st Avenue
Vancouver, BC
JEDI: Conscious Space and Place Making (Panel)
There has been an increased presence and visibility of African Descent people in virtual and physical spaces. A lot of these new or hybrid spaces have purported a universal ideal that avoids racial hierarchy however certain constructs are still very present. Mirroring the classification, racial stereotypes, and limited perspective found pervasively within dominant culture. The JEDI: Conscious Space and Place Making (Panel) will explore the present and potenial future of physical and virtual spaces from a black perspective analyzing the current construction and design of these physical and virtual spaces, their accessibility, respectability, safety, and effect on modern definitions of blackness. This panel welcomes creatives, artists, and curators producing events and community spaces within the African descent community to discuss their experiences creating community and cultural spaces.
Creative Wealth: Developing new formats of resource exchange, funding, and mentorship (Panel)
Perseverance and finding support are essential for overcoming challenges when starting and growing your brand or business. Artists, Creatives, and Entrepreneurs within the African Descent community presently require greater access to capacity building, diverse funding, and expansive networks as they begin their careers and launch their businesses. In this creative wealth panel, we will explore new frameworks for resource exchange, funding, and mentorship. As well as discuss authoritative systems and constructs that have restricted the development, resources, and access to information within the African Descent community. This panel intends to empower youth and emerging creatives with practical tools and information they can actively use to create their own pathways to sustainable growth and success.
Black Space Media is dedicated to establishing a network of community members, organizations, and institutions that are focused on advancing equity, inclusion, and diversity through learning together, aligning, and integrating our actions to achieve systems level change, collective impact, and healing.
Septemer 24
