Infinitum: An Afrofuturist Tale by Tim Fielder| March 31, 2021| 3PM
From HarperCollins Amistad. Sure to become a treasured collectible, a gorgeous, groundbreaking, full-color Afrofuturist graphic novel that captures the spirit of the record-breaking film Black Panther and its mantra “Wakanda Forever.”
Afrofuturism, a cultural movement that began in the early 20th Century as an escape from racial hostility, economic turmoil, and aggressive policing in black communities, is enjoying a renaissance witnessed by the record-breaking success of creative projects, including the acclaimed, award-winning film, Black Panther; Janelle Monae’s hit album, Dirty Computer; Jordan Peele’s provocative feature Get Out; Octavia Butler’s famed science fiction novel, Kindred; and Solange Knowles’ sundial headdress. Now comes Tim Fielder’s compelling, beautifully rendered graphic novel, INFINITUM.
What is INFINITUM? An Afrofuturist Tale? A graphic novel that journeys from the creation of the universe, the dawn of mankind. the rise and fall of the great African kingdoms, world wars and socio-technological upheavals of the 20th and 21st century and beyond. The story is grounded in cause and consequence.
King AjA Oba and Queen Lewa are revered across the African continent for their impressive political and military skills. 
Yet the future of their kingdom is in jeopardy, for the royal couple do not have an heir of their own. 
When the King kidnaps his son born to a concubine, Obinrin, she curses AjA with the “gift” of immortality. 
For decades, the immortal AjA wanders the world, mourning his lost subjects and searching for a new kingdom. His journey leads him across ancient time, the expansion of global technology and intergalactic travel.
In 280 stunningly, emotionally evocative full-color images, INFINITUM presents a unique cosmic experience, addressing pressing issues of racism, classism, gender inequality, the encroachment of technology and the spiritual cost of war, while exposing the history behind ancient mysteries.
Author Tim Fielder
Captured by Maximilius Fielder
Tim Fielder is a NYC based graphic novelist. He has worked for decades in the field of sequential art and illustration. He also has taught for many years in arts and educational institutions. Freed from the need to placate others by the experience of self-publishing my Retro-Afrofuturist graphic novel. Matty’s Rocket, I took the opportunity in 2017 to further develop the story of a Black man who would live through almost every aspect of human existence. This seemed somehow, perfect. Published by HarperCollins Amistad, INFINITUM: An Afrofuturist Tale would dance with the sword and soul of Charles Saunders, the historical science fiction of Octavia Butler and the contemporary horror of todays headlines. It’s inspired by the cyberfunk vibes of Steven Barnes, the far flung future space of Samuel R Delany and Robert Heinlein and the seminal cinematic ideas of Arthur C Clarke and Stanley Kubrick. I wanted to create historical war dramas featuring thousands of fully armored Benin warriors attacking in Akira Kurosawa-like formations. But these works would be fully rendered art like Moebius or Ron Cobb with homages to Aaron Douglas and Ed Davis to insure context within the visual continuum of Black people.
Black Joy as Resistance: Why I do the Work I do| March 3, 2021| 3PM
Dr. Yaba Blay is a Black scholar, thought leader, and cultural producer whose work and practice centers on the lived experiences of Black women and girls, with a particular focus on identity politics and beauty practices. Lauded by O Magazine for her social media activism, she has launched several viral campaigns including #LocsofLove, #PrettyPeriod, #WeAllWeGot, and her current digital project, #ProfessionalBlackGirl.
In 2012, Dr. Blay served as a producer on CNN’s Black in America: Who is Black in America? and has since been named one of today’s leading Black voices by ‘The Root 100’ and Essence Magazine’s ‘Woke 100.’ She has appeared on CNN, BET, MSNBC, BBC, and NPR, and her work has been featured in The New York Times, EBONY, Essence, Fast Company, The Philadelphia Inquirer, Colorlines, and The Root, to name a few. Her commentary is featured in A Changing America: 1968 and Beyond, a permanent installation exhibited in the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Widely respected as one of the foremost thought leaders on colorism and beauty politics, Dr. Blay is a globally sought-after speaker and consultant. She earned her doctorate in African American Studies (with distinction) and a Graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from Temple University. The former Dan Blue Endowed Chair in Political Science at North Carolina Central University, she has also taught on the faculties of Lehigh University, Lafayette College, and Drexel University, where she served as the Director of Africana Studies. Dr. Blay is author of the award-winning (1)ne Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race.
Planet Deep South: ATL Edition | February 18 – 22, 2020
Planet Deep South is an interdisciplinary conference focused on digital humanities, speculative cultural productions, and Africanisms in the American and Global South. Planet Deep South is jointly hosted by Clark Atlanta University, Spelman College, and the Georgia Institute of Technology. Georgia Tech will host the conference on Thursday, February 20, 2020 with a focus on Blackness and technology. In addition to panels by noted scholars, our keynote speaker is Professor D. Fox Harrell.
