Description

BlackInk is a new incisive magazine focusing on Black arts, heritage and cultural politics.  Rooted in the events of 2020, and the uncertainty of the opportunity to share physical space during Black History Month in October, BlackInk is a creative response bringing together a range of interconnected international voices from across the African and African Caribbean Diaspora and indigenous communities.

BlackInk is an interface between a physical magazine and digital content, exploring Black British Theatre, arts and culture, Afrofuturism, activism and identity and new writing.  Introducing Launchpad artists Ade Coker, Tolu Coker, Stephen Anthony Davids, Shangomola Edunjobi and Ana Paz. Featuring contributions from nora chipaumire, Sam Cook, Hyppolite Ntiguirirwa, Chaedria LaBouvier and more.

“Articles of real depth and insight with every turn of the page. Raises aspirations and points to forgotten histories.”
Sir Nicholas Serota
Chair – Arts Council England

“To talk about the future, we need to know where we are now and how our unique ecosystem is being reimagined and constructed as we speak”
Is There a Future for Black Theatre? by Stella Kanu

“The shift from negro to black has contemporary echoes in the movement from the disentangle black from BAME”
A Concise History of Black British Theatre”s Interaction with Arts Council England: A Personal Perspective by Tyrone Higgins

“In the wake of global pandemic, and “Black Springs” everywhere. I offer another manifesto! On how to breathe and live in revolutionary time.”
Black Manifesto! The Ten Commandments: Black Women Speak Out by nora chipaumire

Full Content and Contributors

Insight: Black British Theatre
A Concise History of Black British Theatre’s Interaction with Arts Council England: A Personal Perspective — Tyrone Huggins
Is There a Future for Black Theatre? — Stella Kanu
A World Beyond Liverpool — Cathy Tyson
Road to Success — Paulette Randall

Afrofuturism
Black Manifesto! — nora chipaumire
25 Years of Hate — Maya Brookes
The Hole in the Wall: Curating Basquiat’s
Defacement — Chaédria LaBouvier
Achieving Creative Justice Across the African Diaspora — Antonio C Cuyler
Skin and Colour — Patricia Vester

Launchpad
Beware the Tokoloshe — Shangomola Edunjobi
Sombre — Ana Paz
No More Tears — Stephen Anthony Davids (SAD)
Irírí — Ade Coker
Through Their Eyes — Tolu Coker

Arts and Culture
Whoa! There’s Something About The Groove: Reflections from The Dancing Diplomat on Hip-Hop Dance’s “Special” Powers — Aysha Upchurch
Things Fall Apart – On Public Monuments — Mistura Allison
The Origins of Australia’s Blak History Month — Sam Cook

Activism and Identity
Black Lives Matter — Boston ‘The Orator’ Williams
Finding a Home in Dance — Samwel Japhet
#BeThePeaceWalk — Hyppolite Ntiguirirwa
Who is Black Italian? And Above All Who is an Italian? — Fred Kuwornu
Research, Engagement and Impact – The Stephen Lawrence Research Centre One Year On — Kennetta Hammond Perry

New Writing
Yemi Can’t Swim: Something in the Water — Sarah Kelly-Olatunji

The Interview
Kathy Williams by Pawlet Brookes