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Blue Telescope spotlights Black feminist history in new DC exhibition

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We Who Believe in Freedom Black Feminist DC

Blue Telescope, an award-winning, interactive exhibit agency, has helped to celebrate Black feminism in Washington, D.C. throughout the 20th century, and the ongoing work of Black feminists today, in a new exhibition at the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, entitled We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC.

This exhibition explores the stories of Black feminist activists and organisers throughout the decades, many of whose stories and voices have frequently been excluded from discussions of American history. It is presented by the National Women’s History Museum and was curated by renowned scholars Sherie M. Randolph and Kendra T. Field.

We Who Believe in Freedom Black Feminist DC exhibition Blue Telescope_

To create this engaging experience, Blue Telescope, the interactive media producer for the exhibition, collaborated closely with Tessellate Studio, the exhibit designer.

Amplifying voices

“At Blue Telescope, we work to support and amplify the voices of all marginalized groups,” says Kelli Patterson, associate creative producer and project lead for We Who Believe in Freedom. “Black feminists will always have a seat at our table as we strive to make our communities more inclusive places.”

We Who Believe in Freedom Black Feminist DC exhibition Blue Telescope

In order to provide crucial first-person insights linking the work of Black feminists of the past to the ongoing work of Black feminist activists, artists, and cultural critics of today, Blue Telescope spoke with eminent feminist professors. Oprah Winfrey is also contributing her voice by introducing the exhibition and discussing what Black feminism means to her.

From the beginning of the 19th century through the civil rights struggle and the Black Power movement to the present, the show features compelling photos and interviews from the past, present, and future of Black feminism. Some of those featured are well-known African-American women, including writers, intellectuals, and activists, while other lesser-known Black feminists have also had their stories shared.

We Who Believe in Freedom Black Feminist DC exhibition Blue Telescope

Patterson adds: “We’re proud to create engaging content that inspires and informs those who seek to understand the history of the Black feminist movement so they can carry it forward.”

The exhibition opens on 31 March, in conjunction with Women’s History Month, and will run until the end of 2024.

A number of Blue Telescope’s recent projects, including two with the Sloan Museum of Discovery, have been recognised with MUSE & Summit Awards.

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charlotte coates

Charlotte Coates

Charlotte Coates is blooloop's editor. She is from Brighton, UK and previously worked as a librarian. She has a strong interest in arts, culture and information and graduated from the University of Sussex with a degree in English Literature. Charlotte can usually be found either with her head in a book or planning her next travel adventure.

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