Afrofuturism has been the talk of the town, from panels at Comic Con to Ruth E. Carter’s costume design exhibit at the Children’s Museum of Indianapolis.
From March 14-16, The Indiana Comic Convention saw thousands of sci–fi, fantasy, anime and video game fans at the Indiana Convention Center. The event offered three days’ worth of activities, celebrity meet-and-greets, vendors and panels to engage with — including several panels relating to Afrofuturism.
“I think Afrofuturism is gonna have very key role for us, especially at this time, because … we are we’re seeing these like active reversals and efforts to hide away Black history (and) Black culture,” said Jeffery Giddings, a PhD candidate in the African American and African Diaspora Studies Department at Indiana University – Bloomington. “We need to keep telling these stories, because what’s happening in the present that’s going to be inspiring stories about Afrofuturism going forward.”
Afrofuturism is an amalgamation of African and African-American cultural themes and traditions blended with elements of science fiction, technology, Black history and culture for “a speculative imagining of a future where Black people thrive, innovate and reclaim agency in narratives often overlooked or erased,” according to “Black Panther” costume designer Ruth E. Carter.
Led by Giddings and Ryan Hacek, an associate instructor at IU Bloomington, the History of Afrofuturism panel walked attendees through the origins and the evolution of Afrofuturism genre and movement, its historically African and African American roots, and continued influences in popular media.
Spearheaded by Black American creatives such as W.E.B. Du Bois, George Clinton, Octavia Butler and Sun Ra, Afrofuturism challenges “preconceived stereotypes and perceptions of Blackness that was accepted by certain white culture,” Giddings said.
“Afrofuturistic esthetics and ideas disrupt common Eurocentric conceptualizations of the past,” Giddings said. “People imagine Black worlds that challenge these notions. Space and technology are common themes in Afrofuturism, as well as fantasy, hope and inspiration.”
Later in the evening, another panel on Afrofuturism specifically about “Black Panther” took place with special guest Afua Richardson, an award-winning African and Indigenous American writer and illustrator known for her work on “Black Panther,” “X-Men ’92,” “Spiderman: Across the Spiderverse,” and “Lovecraft Country.”
The Afrofuturism movement has continued to significantly influence music, literature, film and visual arts — a prime example of that being “Black Panther.” Afrocentricity and Afrofuturistic elements are found throughout the film, Giddings said.
“There’s a wealth of variety of different cultures. It’s not monolith, and you can see how they’re taking like different elements all throughout the film into the costume design,” Giddings said. “The use of cowry shells and beads are seen throughout mostly costumes, and the significance of that is those were used as currency throughout most of West and Central Africa.”
Though the 2025 Indiana Comic Convention has ended, Hoosiers still have another chance to engage with Afrofuturism and the novelty of “Black Panther” this spring. Beginning March 22, The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis is hosting the “Ruth E. Carter: Afrofuturism in Costume Design,” which features more than 60 costumes from films the Academy Award-winning costume designer has worked on, including “Black Panther” and “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.”
“It’s about creating a visual language that connects people to story, culture and emotion,” Carter said in an interview with the Recorder. “My exhibition is a celebration of that journey and an opportunity to showcase the artistry behind costume design and its role in storytelling.”
In celebration of the exhibit opening, Hoosiers are invited to attend an evening celebrating Afrofuturism from 7:30-9 p.m. on March 22 at the Madam Walker Legacy Center. The program will feature live performances, costume demonstrations and a moderated conversation with Ruth E. Carter. Tickets start at $15. For more information, visit http://bit.ly/3FDGtmD.
This story has been updated.
Contact Arts & Culture Reporter Chloe McGowan at 317-762-7848. Follow her on X @chloe_mcgowanxx.
Chloe McGowan is the Arts & Culture Reporter for the Indianapolis Recorder Newspaper. Originally from Columbus, OH, Chloe graduated with a degree in journalism from The Ohio State University. She is a former IndyStar Pulliam Fellow, and her previous work includes freelancing for Indy Maven, Assistant Arts & Life Editor for The Lantern, and editorial assistant at CityScene Media Group. Chloe enjoys covering all things arts and culture — from local music, visual art, dance, theater and film, as well as minority-owned businesses. In her free time, Chloe enjoys reading, cooking and keeping her plants alive.
