African Voices magazine is set to host an opening exhibition for Brooklyn artist Watson Mere and launch a special issue dedicated to the art and activism of Harry Belafonte on July 26, 2025. The event, free to the public, will feature contributions from the issue's writers and poets, including Gia Anasi-Shakur, and aims to celebrate Belafonte's enduring influence on Hip Hop culture and civil rights activism.
Publisher Carolyn A. Butts emphasized the significance of the issue, guest-edited by award-winning poet Keisha-Gaye Anderson, in the context of ongoing struggles for cultural preservation and social justice. The event also serves as a fundraiser for African Voices, which recently lost funding from the National Endowment for the Arts, underscoring the challenges faced by cultural institutions.
Watson Mere's cover art for the issue pays tribute to Belafonte's legacy, capturing his profound impact on the Black diaspora. Mere, an acclaimed artist, has exhibited globally and received numerous accolades for his work. The special issue, to be released in August, is part of African Voices' 33-year tradition of showcasing artists of color, with Spelman College archiving the organization's collection for future generations.
For more information, visit https://africanvoices.com/african-voices-celebrates-harry-belafonte-with-new-issue/.
