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This year’s theme for Afrofuturism Week 2025, “Furious Joy,” draws inspiration from Alice Walker’s powerful phrase in her book Hard Times Require Furious Dancing. The theme embodies the idea of embracing joy as an act of resistance and resilience—a celebration of Black existence, creativity, and futurity in a world that has often challenged these. “Furious Joy” is more than happiness; it’s a fierce, determined joy that stands boldly in the face of adversity. It’s about defiance, about choosing joy as a transformative force, and about imagining and claiming spaces of freedom, dignity, and boundless creativity.

In the realm of Afrofuturism, “Furious Joy” acknowledges that within the collective struggles of the Black experience, there are rich spaces of laughter, vibrant creativity, and life-giving joy. This theme serves as both a declaration and a celebration of Black life, heritage, and the strength to shape one’s own narrative. It evokes images of vibrant colors, energetic art, and speculative stories, alongside designs that reclaim technology, spirituality, and identity.

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This project is supported in part by funding from the Mellon Foundation.

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Afrofuturism and Dr. King’s Vision for America

Thursday, January 16 | 5 – 6:30 pm
Pugh Hall – Ocora

Where do we go from here? Afrofuturism and Dr. King’s Vision for America
by Dr. Hasan Jeffries, Professor of History, The Ohio State University

Sponsored in part by Dept. of African American Studies

Cirque Kalabanté

Tuesday, January 21 |  7:30pm
Phillips Center

West African acrobatics, drumming and dance

Get Tickets and Find Out More Here
Sponsored by UF Performing Arts

Zora Neale Hurston Panel Discussion

Wednesday, January 22 | 6:00pm

NOW VIRTUAL on Zoom Click Here

Visit Facebook event for Link to Join

Panel discussion on
Zora Neale Hurston’s Their Eyes Were Watching God Led by Dr. Porchia Moore

In partnership with UF Libraries and The NEA Big Read in Alachua County
Co-sponsored by
Dept. of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies

GFAA Furious Joy Art Exhibition & Reception

Friday, January 24 | 7:00pm – 10:00pm
Gainesville Fine Arts Association

Afrofuturist Film Watch Party

Tuesday, January 28 | 6:00pm
Santa Fe College Blount Center
Room DB-109/110

A collection of three short films from the African Diaspora: “Pumzi”, “Afronauts”, and “Daughter of the Sea” that delve into Afrofuturism, migration and the fantastical, with community conversations led by a panel of UF faculty, Dr. Ariadna Tenorio, Dr. Abdoulaye Kane and filmmakers, Alexis Garcia and Nuotama Bodomo, moderated by Antoine Williams.

Sponsored in part by UF Center for African Studies,  Santa Fe College Blount Center, BLAAC2BASICS, UF Center for Latin American Studies, and UF Center for Humanities.

Art After Dark

Thursday, January 30 | 6:00pm – 9:00pm
HARN Museum of Art

HESCAH lecture with Stephanie Dunning at 6pm and reception, fashion show curated by Anani Blakey at 7:30pm, music performance, art activities, and refreshments.

Co-sponsored by HESCAH and the HARN Museum of Art