African Voices magazine is set to host an opening exhibition for Brooklyn artist Watson Mere and a launch celebration for its special issue dedicated to the art and activism of Harry Belafonte on July 26, 2025. The event, free and open to the public, will feature contributions from the issue's writers, including Gia Anasi-Shakur, and aims to celebrate Belafonte's significant impact on Hip Hop culture and civil rights activism.
Publisher Carolyn A. Butts emphasized the importance of the issue, guest-edited by award-winning poet Keisha-Gaye Anderson, in the context of ongoing struggles for cultural preservation and access to essential services. The event also serves as a fundraiser for African Voices, which recently lost funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, underscoring the magazine's reliance on community support to continue its 33-year legacy of showcasing art and literature by artists of color.
Watson Mere's portrait of Belafonte, featured on the magazine's cover, captures the actor and activist's enduring influence and commitment to the Black diaspora. Mere's work, along with African Voices' contributions to the arts, is being archived by Spelman College, ensuring its accessibility for future generations. The magazine has a history of featuring prominent artists on its covers, including Faith Ringgold and Elizabeth Catlett, further cementing its role in promoting artists of color.
The importance of this event extends beyond a simple exhibition or magazine launch. It represents a critical moment for African Voices, which has been a vital platform for artists of color for over three decades. The loss of NEA funding highlights the precarious nature of arts funding for minority-focused organizations, making community support more essential than ever. By tying the celebration of Belafonte's legacy to a fundraiser, the magazine underscores the intersection of art, activism, and survival. Belafonte himself was a fierce advocate for civil rights and used his platform to uplift Black voices, mirroring the mission of African Voices.
Moreover, the collaboration with Spelman College to archive works ensures that the cultural contributions of artists like Mere and the magazine's history are preserved for future scholarship and inspiration. This event not only honors Belafonte but also reaffirms the magazine's commitment to its mission despite financial hurdles. For more information on the event and the special issue, visit africanvoices.com.
