This is a collection of essays, photographs, poems, plays, news stories, transcribed conversations/interviews, illustrations, playlists, etc. about, and contributed by, Black people. It covers an enormous range of topics including politics, film, archives, art, agriculture, biography, bath scrubs, music, dance, recipes, zines, nameplate jewelry, penal reform, ocean ecology and barbershops. Predictably, the result is a mixed bag, but it was generally interesting.

I received an ebook ARC of this book which I downloaded to a Kindle Fire so that I could see all of the illustrations in color. I also borrowed the audiobook from the library (it comes with a pdf, presumably of the illustrations, which I did not download). I assumed that I was prepared to experience this book. Some of the illustrations were not really legible. The text was read on the audiobook, so that was one case where the audiobook was better, but that wasn’t usually the case. The book isn’t meant to be read in a linear manner, but to be explored more or less randomly. That obviously can’t be done with an audiobook so I wound up relying primarily on the ebook. However, I think that it would probably be best to read a physical copy of the book.

I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.

Black Futures is a collection of artwork, transcripts of conversations, or essays written by Black artists and authors. They contemplate the nature of being Black and creative. The editors realize that the Black experience is varied and impossible to pin down with a single collection and see this volume as a jumping-off point in the conversation as a whole.

Beginning with photographs and collages that reflect police shootings and the fear people have, we are privy to discussion regarding art, housing, the Flint water crisis, and even being part of the BDSM community. Politics is a natural topic in a volume like this, given how few Blacks are in positions of power compared to older white men. This means we have a thoughtful discussion about voting rights and election counting, and the need for elected officials to consider the needs of the people. I haven't thought of agriculture or composting as a topic of discussion, but we're presented with historical context as well as current attempts to create communal gardens.

Not just a story about reclaiming Blackness, the essay "It's Time To Reclaim Our Skin" is a great look at how to appreciate your body and discuss consent. It's important in any context, but especially when many people feel that Black bodies are used without their consent. Other related essays in this section discuss self-care, religion, and relationships. These are topics that have been increasingly politicized, and the book certainly does its job of presenting different viewpoints and making the reader think.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Random House for an egalley in exchange for an honest review.


A very informative collection of interviews, artwork and social media, it did take me a while to get used to the writing style and layout of the book because I was reading on my Kindle app.


#BlackFutures #NetGalley

Goodreads Review 04/12/20
Publication Date 01/12/20

Well referenced and well written. Now is the time and this is the book. Still fighting and moving forward. Than you to Netgalley and the publisher!

This is not a traditional book or anthology, it's more of a cross between a textbook, an encyclopedia, and a coffee table book. There is a beautiful collection of stories, recipes, tweets, pictures, historical documents, and newspaper clippings chronicling the black experience. As a life-long lover of Afro-futurism and history, I would recommend if you get the book to get the printed version. The digital is still very useful for reference and reading, but the printed version is excellent for sharing and as a conversation piece on your coffee table. I really appreciated the fluidity of the collection. There's a wide range of mediums of expressions, including tweets and direct messages( can't have a conversation about black futures without including Black Twitter!). I especially loved the weaving together of past, present, and (imagined) future. For instance, the text of the 13th amendment is included in the book. The concept is unique and beautifully executed. Since there isn't exactly a narrative, the star ratings don't make as much sense, But I definitely bought the hardback edition for my coffee table! I received this book for free from Netgalley and the publisher in exchange for my honest review.

This isn’t a book you’d traditionally “read”; which is to say, it’s more “coffee table book” than “book book”.

It’s filled with photos, narratives, interviews, tweets, and snapshots of key moments in Black culture—over the last decade or so—and is a work you would likely choose to read casually yet carefully.

Furthermore, you’ll want to pay close attention to the various links offered—to websites, articles, and social media pages—as many will lead down a rabbit hole of further conversation and introspection.

My favorite part was the section focused on Black art; it’s an area I’m not nearly as versed in, so it was nice to be given a starting point for my growing interest in that medium, as well as some new names to watch for/follow on social media.

This book is as much a resource for what’s happened as it is a directory for Black creatives—both known and not so known.

Black creatives that, particularly in the world of fashion and entertainment, are finding greater exposure; a marvelous thing to see but also something i hope doesn’t fizzle out and die as society progresses pass this moment of “anti-racist” sentiment.

Change is only meaningful when it’s sustained.

Overall, this book is a phenomenal resource for those wanting to celebrate/commemorate a few of the Black voices and creatives that have made an impact over the last 15-20 years; even more it’s a wonderful place to start if you’re looking to learn a bit more about some of the key cultural shifts since the start of this millennia.

"Black Futures' is definitely one of the most unique and powerful books I have ever read/viewed. This book is a collection of narratives and photographs that seek to answer the question, "What does it mean to be Black and alive right now?". It is a collection of Black voices celebrating their Blackness and of Black culture refusing to be cancelled. The contributors to this book are unapologetically proud of their Black bodies, history, music, art, and dance. This book includes perspectives from all walks of life, showing that being Black is not a "monolithic experience" but instead that each person has an individual perspective on what it means to be Black in the United States today. It provides links to an abundance of other works to further enrich the reader's experience-some are familiar names such as Ta-Nehisi Coates and Solange Knowles and others are less so.

"Black Futures" is not an easy read, but it certainly is an important one and I found it to be quite eye-opening and enjoyable. The world needs more books like this one. Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and to the many authors of this book for the absolute privilege of reading an advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

An exceptional example of the contributions to the arts by Black artists. This book has so many pieces of historically significance that it will take you many days just to absorb the first page through. As you read, you'll face the emotions that fed each artists work and feel honored to have shared the look into their worlds. This book is meant to be read and shared.

Thanks to the publisher for the early copy of this book.

The format of this was hard to read- the art pieces with writing were too tiny to see. The text was kind of all over the place, random snippets about different topics.

I ended up quitting this early on due to frustration with the format and the fact that the text didn’t feel cohesive.

Okay, so this is not a book like "the story of Dick and Jane and their dog spot." Instead this is culmination of several different artists, intellectuals, and creators. The book isn't intended to be read chronologically from cover to cover. Instead it is more as a "choose your own adventure" based on what speaks to you at the time, what page you randomly flip to, or through suggestions for related material at the beginning of each section. But not matter where you go in the book, there is beauty, intimate connection, and a wholly encompassing celebration of what it means to be Black. Yes, I know, I am not Black. And at times, I felt like an intruder, peering into a very personal and intimate experience. In that regard, I would like to thank all the contributors for allowing me insight and educating me. While I may not have gotten all the references and needed to consult the Google a few times, I now have a greater appreciation and understanding of the world we are living in together.

Black Futures uses cultural references and mixed media to talk about the Black experience.

Black is not one dimensional nor monolithic. Black transcends time and space –

Therefore editors Jenna Wortham and Kimberly Drew decided against a linear approach to the book. Instead <b>Black Futures</b> is arranged to be consumed more organically. Within each section we are given a table of contents and also a guide to related entries so the topic may be explored in more depth.

<b>Black Futures</b> begs the question <i>“What does it mean to be Black and alive right now?”</i>

Although the book opens with Black Lives Matter and social activism it goes on to examine the Black collective. How are those on the fringes included and embraced in Black society and how can we uplift them?

In a Google Hangout with Shawne Michealain Holloway, Tiona McClodden talks about being identified as a member of the BDSM community and what this meant for her. She felt vulnerable in that moment, yet free, because she was finally being seen.
<blockquote>”I was really concerned about how people saw the mask. And that mask, in particular sense, was not a mask to hide. It was a mask to reveal.”</blockquote>
This idea of being seen is emphasized by the editors through pictures and artwork and even Twitter exchanges. The authors stress the need for personal archival and give explicit directions on how to document your life so that future generations will know your lived experience.

Cultural inheritance is not just about what we have learned from the past, but how that legacy is passed on to our children. In the section entitled <i>‘Black to the Land’</i> Leah Penniman talks about the history of hiding rice and other seeds within African traditional hair styles and how today cooperatives like Soul Fire Farm train Black families sustainable farming practices.

My favorite part of the book was the section on Black Joy which delves into self-care and love. Highlighted here was rejuvenation through worship, relaxation and play and healthy food practices.

<b>Black Futures</b> is a collection of Black excellence. It is at once a testament to our past struggles and a beacon of hope for the future.

Black Futures includes a variety of forms and perspectives on what it means to be Black in America, and what the future holds for Black people and culture. It includes a variety of perspectives and styles to create a unique and engaging narrative, including essays, poems, images, recipes, memes, social media posts, and more. I really, really love how the editors approached this collection by eschewing "traditional" publishing conventions, instead creating a multidimensional and truly collaborative work of art. I read a digital version of the book cover to cover, but I look forward to having a physical copy to explore in completely different ways, tracking themes and narratives through different sections. This is an incredibly important book, and it was created so thoughtfully. I can't recommend it highly enough!

Overall, this is an interesting concept for a book, but I came away thinking it would work better as a blog that could be continually updated.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing a copy for review.

I found this book to be really interesting. I thought it was an anthology, and it is but it's not just short stories. It contains multitudes. There is everything from art, to interviews, Twitter conversations, self-care recipes, to blurbs on community initiatives. It really encompasses a lot of the Black experience in America, especially some of the finer details. There were a lot of interesting articles in here. I especially enjoyed the ones on ocean protection, and Nubian history. The authors of these did an amazing job of tying them into the current Black communities and health. My only issue with this is that the format doesn't always lend itself to ebook formatting very well. There were some really interesting articles and pictures in the beginning that I couldn't get the full experience of because I couldn't see them very well. This could just be the ARC format, or maybe even my phone that I read it off of, I'm honestly not sure. I also liked the fact that at the end of the blurbs or articles there were websites where you could find more information about the sources or community initiatives that were talked about. It's really an informative and all encompassing book.

Reading this book was a unique experience in many ways. It’s a blend of multiple narratives in the form of photographs of black people, of paintings of black people, posters, interviews, conversations, essays, Facebook screen shots,and more by Black people, some artists, some activists and some everyday people expressing their hopes, and dreams, all reflecting on what it means to be Black. It has entries on music, art, history, politics, sexuality, daily life . In an opening letter, the editors say “ The Black Futures Project started a few years ago as a Direct Message exchange on Twitter and has evolved into a shared desire to achieve a moment. In developing “Black Futures”, we sought to answer the question: What does it mean to be Black and alive right now .” While I can never really fully understand what it means, but I can say that I was enlightened, moved and hopeful that I could see things about being Black that I hadn’t before. So for me, a white woman in her senior years, I felt it was a beginning, a good beginning, difficult at times, enjoyable at other times.

Everyone needs to experience this collection for themselves, but I want to mention a few pieces that particularly struck me. The 13th Amendment to the Constitution passed in 1865, abolishing slavery is here. I had never read it . Everyone should . Black Survival Guide -“How to Live Through a Police Riot” was chilling . An exhibition of “This Hair is Mine” is full of such beautiful photographs. In an essay, “How Black Barbershops Save Lives”, I learned: “ Over the years, I came to understand that barbershops were more than places to get a shape-up, a shave or trim. I learned that barbershops were the only spaces created in American life where Black men can speak and receive feedback about who they are, who they want to be, and what they believe to be true about the world around them.” There’s so much more here, some entertaining, some difficult to read like the last scene of “Fairview”, a Pulitzer Prize winning play by Jackie Sibblies Drury. My recommendation is that this collection needs to be read and reread.

I received an advanced copy of this book from One World through NetGalley. I downloaded the book and read it on my iPad using Adobe Blue Fire Reader. I would recommend this if you want a digital copy or better yet, the hard copy book to see the beauty .

Wonderful anthology of essays, interviews, artwork. However, this book is best enjoyed in physical form so as to appreciate the art. I had difficulty reading on my Kindle, and had to switch to my phone to at least see the artwork in color.

Seems like a pretty comprehensive look at being Black through conversations, art, poetry, music, photography and more. The varied backgrounds and current viewpoints of the many contributors are very enlightening.

Thanks to NetGalley and OneWorld for the ARC to read and review.

Thank you, One World and NetGalley for the invitation to read this book. I’m grateful and honored.

This insightful, thought-provoking book gives the reader a chance to take a gander into the lives of Black people, using different mediums – art, photography, essays, dialogues and conversations, text messages, social media posts recipes, personal stories, essays. But, of course, it doesn’t contain everything, as ‘Black Futures’ is not designed to be a comprehensive document. Blackness is infinite – a single book cannot attempt to contain the multitudes and multiverse.’

But it achieved what it desired to. The topics, along with a device, would make you want to dig deeper into the subjects discussed in the book. The book was divided into 10 subtitles – Black Lives Matter, Black Futures, Black Power, Black Joy, Black Justice, Black Ownership, Black Grief, Black Outlook, Black Is (Still) Beautiful, and Black Legacy.

I especially drew a lot from the essay on Barack and Michelle Obama’s portraits at the National Portrait Gallery. I’ve never been there, never seen them live, but the essay taught me a lot of the meaning of the portraits and perception, to the point of where they were placed. I was very intrigued by how Michella Obama’s portrait was analyzed and learned a lot from it. Color(ed) Theory by Amanda Williams and #ThanksgivingwithBlackFamilies were eye-openers for me. I was hoping there was more of it.

Black Futures is best enjoyed in its physical form. I had difficulties navigating it on my kindle, as some pictures or social media posts were too small, and having to enlarge to read it, while scrolling left to right to read the entire thing, sometimes deterred me from wanting to read further. I especially wanted so much to read ‘How to Live Through a Police Riot’ but the fonts were so blurry they hurt my eyes trying to read it, in the end I gave up. I went on to the other titles. I loved all the conversations throughout the book. One of them was the one with Chok-We Antar Lumumba, who has served as a mayor of Jackson, Mississippi, since 2017. It's going to take me some time to digest it.

Overall, this was an eye-opening and engaging read; I especially loved the everyday pictures and beautiful artwork and thought-provoking essays. The conversation Jenna Wortham had with Ta-Nehisi Coates is definitely a must-read. It gives light and hope.

“What if you’re not gonna win? You [need to have] the courage, then, to confront how you’re going to live.”

Wonderful unique book. Essays, conversation, photographs. Black Joy, Black Grief, Black Lives past, present and future. A book that anyone should be proud to own. An experience.

This is an exceptional anthology I’ve looked forward to since the day it was announced. I hope that every liberal arts college adds it to their intro syllabi. I’m so grateful to Netgalley for a chance to see the e-ARC & already have a print copy pre-ordered.