AFROPUNK Presents: Black Spring

“’Black Spring’ is a moment to celebrate our African lineage and not allow the exploits of colonialism to further separate us whether we speak Spanish, English, Portuguese, French, or Dutch. We are Black.” – Tina Farris, producer of AFROPUNK’s “Black Spring.”

If you don’t know about AFROPUNK, let me fill you in real quick!

Over the past 16 years, AFROPUNK’s mission has been to “deconstruct oppressive structures and ideologies that have suppressed the expression of Black marginalized communities.” They operate under these main rules: “No Sexism, No Racism, No Ableism, No Ageism, No Homophobia, No Fatphobia, No Transphobia, No Hatefulness.”

The point is inclusivity, and we are here for it! Our host of Blacktinidad, Melany Movez, had the chance to sit down with Nichelle Sanders, Strategic Adviser over at AFROPUNK to talk about this years initiative, which will take place both in Miami (COVID safe of course) and virtually.

“AFROPUNK has always been about centering the genius of Black creators from throughout the diaspora and in this time of renewal we are inspired by the spirit of resilience and joy in the Afro-Latinx Diaspora. From music to politics to culture, this community has contributed to revolutionary progress in global black culture. We are so excited to bring some light, heat, sun and party after the dark winter of 2020. We are also excited to provide a further platform to explore the deep complexity and intersections of Blackness, Latinidad, nationality, gender, sexuality and more in the newest edition of AFROPUNK.” – Nichelle Sanders

Check it out:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by BLACKTINIDAD (@blacktinidad)

This year, AFROPUNK has teamed up with NPR Music and their Tiny Desk concert series to bring you a special event! Black Spring is coming to Miami on April 23rd, 2021. Oh and don’t worry if you can’t make it down to Florida – this event will also be streamed live, worldwide, FOR FREE! “Black Spring” combines AFROPUNK’s legacy of inclusion, activism, and will highlight the best new talent in the world with a focus on Afro-Latinx artists. With experiences for fans across the spectrum – including Covid-safe, in-person watch parties in Miami and Bahia, and performances, talks, and salon sessions being filmed onsite in Miami. “Black Spring” is a full immersion into the Afro-Latin and Afro-Caribbean legacy and world.

“Black Spring,” like its name, is set to be an experience of revitalization, reclamation, revolution, and renewal. Inspired by the idea of claiming one’s freedom, as well as the change in season, the vibrancy of the Afro-Latin musical community, and the incandescent neon buzz of Miami itself, “Black Spring” will be a virtual festival like no other this year. “Black Spring” is AFROPUNK’s clarion call to the Afro-Latin and Afro-Caribbean communities to claim, revel, and celebrate in their Blackness without shame or fear; to be seen without the lens of “Otherness” and to fully, wholly embrace the intersectionality of existence and identity. The festival will be an evolving, cultural space from which to inspire and create discourse, and will focus on the tenets of AFROPUNK’s ongoing core mission: to propel, support, affirm, and learn from these communities at large. – Via Official Press Release

Make sure to follow AFROPUNK on IG @afropunk and follow us on Blacktinidad @Blacktinidad. To tune into ‘Black Spring’ head to PlanetAFROPUNK.com.