With the motto “A night with purpose,” the AfriKin Foundation opened the doors of an art fair that runs until December 10 as part of Miami Art Week, and that highlights the works of 33 artists. As indicated by the foundation regarding the dress code for the opening of the art fair, white is “a symbol of purity and cleanliness in African spirituality,” and “unites us in the mutual glorification of black beauty and culture.” .
At this fair, for each work of art sold, part of the profits go to fund scholarships for students pursuing artistic careers. In this way, the youth of the community are collectively empowered, helping them build their future.
African, a vital reminder of our interconnectedness
As the creator of the AfriKin Foundation, Alfonso Brooks, the name of said entity, born in 2016, is a mixture of Africa and Kinship (kinship). And he defined it precisely as the search for “a sustainable ecosystem of collaborations that bridge the gap between ethnic lines” and “a beacon of light to challenge and correct long-entrenched misinterpretations and negative representations of African and Black culture.” ”.
“For too long, the rich and diverse narrative of African heritage had been clouded by a veil of appropriation and misunderstanding. “AfriKin sought to rewrite this narrative, using art and culture as an axis to highlight the authentic beauty and resilience of black history,” Brooks expanded.
He further highlighted that while the foundation is based in South Florida, its vision “extended far beyond and resonated on a global stage.” At its core, AfriKin “is about creating.”
“By partnering with artists and craft industry suppliers around the world, AfriKin has fostered a network of cohesive communities, where people from all walks of life can come together and thrive together,” Brooks detailed.
“In today’s world, where division often seems more prevalent than unity, AfriKin’s existence serves as a vital reminder of our interconnectedness. “Africa, being the cradle of civilization, is a testament to the deeply rooted kinship that we all share, regardless of our geographical or ethnic origins,” she added.
AfriKin Art Fair schedule in Miami:
Different destinations, the same roots
The keynote speaker at the AfriKin VIP opening was Dr Nike Davies-Okundaye from Nigeria, who received this year’s AfriKin Excellence Award. Dr. Ella delivered the keynote address titled “Bridging Stories, Creating Futures: The Ingenuity and Promise of Global Africa,” with the goal of fostering interconnection between Africa and African diaspora communities.
As he noted, it was a pleasure to share “perspectives on the preservation of traditional Nigerian textiles and the role of art in shaping the future.”
The history under debate
On Thursday, December 7, between 12pm and 2pm there will be a talk with AfriKin artists called “The Elimination of Black Knowledge”, which addresses the controversy of the recent ban on books on black issues in Florida. It will be a debate about preserving the essence and truth of Black history, culture, and perspectives.
Chat with AfriKin artists
On Friday, December 8, between 7pm and 9pm, the talk “Navigating tension: art, expression and the weight of cancel culture” will take place, to unravel the complexities of being an artist in the current social climate, as well as the power and resilience of art. This discussion aims to shed light on the strategies employed by artists to safeguard their creative freedom and defend the legacy of art as a powerful tool for social change and the voice of the marginalized.
Fusion: from roots to innovation
On Saturday, December 9 from 7 to 9 pm there will be a talk about the symbiosis between traditional African art, artificial intelligence and the human essence. The speakers will address those complex weaves between traditions, wisdom, patterns, symbolism and new languages that explore creativity with new technologies and reaffirm those roots.
This merger, points out the AfriKin Foundationnot only pays tribute to the cultural heritage of people of African descent, but also propels them towards a future where the synergy between humanity and AI serves as a catalyst for positive global transformation.
AfriKin Fashion: “echoes of the ancestors, visions of the digital horizon”
On Sunday, December 10, between 7 and 9 pm, there will be a fashion show that combines “ancestral whispers” with “the dreams of tomorrow” and that includes the advances of artificial intelligence. Attendees will be able to immerse themselves in a space of colors, patterns and sensations that evoke the heartbeat of Africa.
AfriKin Art: the beauty and brilliance of global Africa
For its part, the exhibition “The beauty and brilliance of global Africa” mixes the traditional and the avant-garde in an interesting commitment to Afrofuturism. It also includes artificial intelligence in dialogue with African fine arts in a fusion that also speaks of that varied heritage of the transnational and diasporic being.
Address: Scott Galvin Community Center. 1600 NE 126th Street North Miami, FL 33181.
More about the AfriKin Foundation
It is a non-profit organization that seeks to create connections through art and encourage community participation. Before creating AfriKin, Alfonso Brooks participated in similar programs. He and his management team have held events such as large festivals and art exhibitions and virtual seminars, some of which are: Reggae Carifest (New York), 1998 – 2007; WBLS Reggae Music Fest (Long Island, New York), 2008 – 2009; Nelson Mandela Day in Denver (Denver, CO), 2014 – 2015; Art and Reason at the Museum of Contemporary Art (North Miami, Florida), 2015.
It is worth highlighting that the foundation helps make creation among Afro-descendants visible, in addition to supporting young people with scholarships and incentives so they can fulfill their dreams.
“In a world where artistic expression is as vital as the air we breathe, we are committed to nurturing the creative spirits that shape the cultural wealth of our community,” states the foundation, which with the AfriKin Scholarship Fund offers “a beacon of hope and a platform of empowerment for aspiring South Florida artists.” This work of patronage is done with the certainty that “when we invest in art, we invest in a diverse, rich and infinitely beautiful future.”
How to help
As Brooks explained, there are different workshops throughout the year in which the community can participate. You can follow the foundation on all social platforms: @afrikinnation and subscribe to the weekly newsletter at afrikin.org.
“We are always looking for ways to advance our community. And we always need donations,” she noted.
