We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC

We Who Believe in Freedom: Black Feminist DC explores the stories of Black women whose powerful activism continues to reverberate through the nation’s capital, and showcases the thread of Black feminism and its influence on national policy from the turn of the 20th century through present day. As a collaborative partner on the first-ever physical exhibit of the National Women’s History Museum, our team was thrilled to create two large-scale interactive experiences for this installation in the lobby of the iconic MLK Jr Public Library building.

The first interactive, Our Black Feminist Futures, presents the wisdom of Black feminist scholars and cultural icons, along with gorgeous images of Black Feminism in everyday life from political activism to familial joy. With a celebratory cameo from Oprah Winfrey, these messages of inspiration, hope, and power serve to remind all of us about why this work matters.

The Black Feminist D.C. Network Map exhibit connects the individual stories of 25 historic activists throughout the Washington DC areas, such as Loretta Ross, Ophelia Settle Egypt, Mary Treadwell, and Eleanor Holmes Norton, and shows how each participated in the overlapping key political and social movements of their time.

The chronology of stories, images, and interactive videos of Black Feminist DC show how Black feminists have fought for a definition of freedom and liberation that extends to all people. This project uplifts the underrepresented voices of those who shaped our nation’s history in groundbreaking ways.