Nationwide — Stuffed with greater than 200 colour and black-and-white images, Afrocentric Model: A Celebration of Blackness & Id in Pop Tradition by creator, screenwriter, and TV/Movie Producer, Shirley Neal, hyperlinks the vibrancy of Black identification and expression with mainstream standard tradition from the previous to the current. The ebook highlights the highest memes, actions, and milestone moments permeating at the moment’s social media, showcasing the indelible affect of Black artistry and celeb on world popular culture.
From Beyoncé to the Black Panthers, Serena Williams to Kamala Harris, AfroCentric Model explores how dozens of icons and occasions have revived Black identification, tradition, and historical past on a profound stage. It asserts that the present impression of Blackness in popular culture is unequalled, with African-themed searches rising exponentially, indicating a surging curiosity in Black popular culture throughout all generations.
AfroCentric Model, superbly designed and thoughtfully written, interweaves commentary and archival pictures, providing a contemporary tackle modern Afrocentric tales and their historic roots. The ebook isn’t just a shocking anthology but in addition an academic instrument that celebrates and enhances readers’ understanding of Black tradition’s highly effective affect on mainstream popular culture and America’s more and more various society.
Concerning the authorShirley Neal is an creator, screenwriter, and TV/Movie producer, whose works have centered on Pop Tradition, Africa, and Black Id. Her cowl story for Forbes Africa highlighting Oprah Winfrey’s works in South Africa is among the many franchise’s most in-demand points. Shirley has served as a contributing author and editor for Ebony. The Cleveland, Ohio native is a graduate of Boston College, with a B.A. in Liberal Research, and earned her skilled certification as a literary Ghostwriter from California State College Lengthy Seaside. Neal lives in Los Angeles.
Speaking Factors:
Blackness in Mainstream Pop Tradition
• How popular culture is used as a conduit to assist all cultures and demographics higher perceive Black Historical past and Black tradition, notably within the areas of Trend, Hair, and Magnificence.
• How Black popular culture can be utilized past leisure, to make folks assume.
Trend
• The affect of Black tradition on world vogue tendencies—from hip hop to excessive vogue to dashikis, dandies, hoodies, and all of the tendencies in between.
• Activism vogue—when vogue is used to make statements to create Black consciousness or as a type of protest.
Black Id
• How Black identification via popular culture can enhance shallowness and psychological well being.
• How popular culture supplies Black youth with numerous position fashions and narratives, serving to them discover and develop their identities.
• The development of Black People tracing lineages to Africa (Neal is an Advisory Board Member of AfricanAncestry.com)
Black Historical past
• The impression of Black historical past on mainstream popular culture.
• How via popular culture we are able to study unsung Black trailblazers like cowboys, inventors, literary greats, musicians, and even magnificence queens.
Concerning the E book:AFROCENTRIC STYLE: A Celebration of Blackness & Id in Pop CultureBy Shirley NealNovember 26, 2024Publisher: Amistad$50.00Hardcover ISBN: 9780063080836Available for pre-order at HarperCollins.com
For press inquiries, contact Alison Cerri, Publicist at Alison.Cerri@harpercollins.com or 212-207-7252