LITERATURE + LECTURES

The Houston Museum of African American Culture presents Africans in America; The New Beat of Afropolitans September 9-10th. This symposium marks the rise of a new cultural influence, brought to America and the world by a wave of fascinating young and creative cosmopolitan African immigrants, so-called “Afropolitans”.

The symposium features a talented group of Africans in America, including artist Wangechi Mutu; actor, musician and social entrepreneur Derrick Ashong; author Taiye Selasi, who popularized the term “Afropolitans”; writer Teju Cole; filmmaker Odera Ozoka and arts maven Meme Omogbai. They will be joined by George Washington University professor Nemata Blyden.

When the Afropolitan Network declares, “We hear a different beat” that beat can increasingly be heard throughout America as African Americans, those with an immigrant as opposed to slavery background, increasingly impact our national culture. You see that impact especially in New York; in fashion shows that feature some of Africa’s hottest and most talented designers, and in theater with Off Broadway shows like Mo Faya, and on Broadway with shows like the recent hit Fela!. But you see their impact in other large urban centers too, like Houston, Atlanta and Washington, DC, where these new African American artists, writers and performers are drawing large, crossover audiences.

The new Afropolitans combine real world experience in Africa, Europe, South America and Asia with that in the United States. Washing over centuries of native minority self-esteem problems and self-doubt, that experience allows them to bring into play a new, confident, worldly psyche - phenomenon perhaps inevitable in the time of President Barack Obama.

According to HMAAC CEO John Guess, Jr., “These talents sometimes stand separate, sometimes side by side, and more than occasionally are fused together through an exciting mix of fashion, style and identity that is helping to redefine blackness in America.” Added HMAAC Program Director, Solkem N’Gangbet, “We are delighted this new breed of Africans in America chose to come to Houston for this historical conversation.”

For more information on:
- Wangechi Mutu please visit www.wangechimutu.com
- Derrick Ashong please visit www.apbspeakers.com  
- Taiye Selasi please visit http://www.taiyeselasi.com
- Teju Cole please visit http://www.tejucole.com
- Odera Ozoka please visit http://www.souldiasporamovie.com  
- Meme Omogbai please visit http://www.nj.com/newark/newarkmuseum/index.ssf/2009/04/for_a_century_people_like_thes.html
- Nemata Blyden please visit http://www.gwu.edu/~history/people/Blyden.cfm

Click here for a detailed schedule of events and for lecturer bios. 

“Africans in America; The New Beat of Afropolitans” is generously supported by CAMAC International, Continental Airlines, William Hill Land and Cattle Company, Johns Hopkins Center for Africana Studies and The Houston Public Library, with in kind support from KUHF.