About The Future Is Black
The Future Is Black began not as a formal initiative, but as a heartfelt celebration. In a room filled with laughter, art, and the vibrant energy of friends and collaborators, founder Ahmed Tacumba Turner Jr. realized that what started as his birthday party could be the seed of something much greater. That night wasn’t just a gathering it was a testament to the creativity, resilience, and brilliance inherent in Black culture.
From this spark, The Future Is Black was born: a dynamic platform committed to empowering underrepresented creatives, amplifying their voices, and transforming cultural narratives. Guided by our mission to catalyze artistic expression and foster a profound sense of belonging, we have created an inclusive ecosystem rooted in joy, healing, remembrance, critical thought, and connectivity.
​
Our founder's story
Tacumba Turner is a native of Pittsburgh and a self-taught photographer, D.J., curator, creative director, and founder of The Future Is Black. His passion stems from 8+ years of grassroots community work around urban agriculture and a pivotal experience with the Transformative Arts Program in 2016.
​
Tacumba was the recipient of a grant to be a teaching artist in Hazelwood leading the Hazelwood Youth Media Justice Program. Here, he taught photography and visual storytelling to high school-age youth from the Hazelwood neighborhood.
This ultimately inspired Tacumba to pursue creating experiences in the form of art exhibitions to provide a space, platform, and audience to amplify local BIPOC artists.
The Future Is Black Art Collective is fueled by the idea of radical reimagination, which refers to the practice of creating purposeful and positive spaces for imagining together — debating, and refining shared visions of the past, present, and future.
OUR MISSION
Supporting artists
The Future Is Black is dedicated to providing a platform for artists to thrive, express themselves, and contribute to the Afro-futuristic movement.
Community Building
The movement fosters a community that rejects societal norms, embraces authenticity, and encourages individuals to express themselves freely.
Event Curation
Throughout the calendar year, we curate events focused on Joy, Healing, Remembering, Critical Thought, and Connectivity, providing diverse experiences for the BIPOC community.
vision statement
The Future Is Black envisions a transformative and inclusive ecosystem, curating resources to amplify local BIPOC voices. Our goal is to inspire a world where all artists thrive, celebrate diversity, and contribute uniquely to the cultural tapestry of the art community.
We are committed to building a legacy that transcends time, shaping a more equitable and vibrant global community where creativity flourishes and diversity is embraced.