ENGAGE! Art, Blackness & the Universe @ MOAD & CCA
Three days of dialogue, learning, and a curated set of programs featuring keynote speaker Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein and more!
ENGAGE! brings together scholars, artists, performers, curators, and scientists for a dynamic convening over three days of dialogue, learning, and interactive activations. Inspired by the groundbreaking exhibition UNBOUND: Art, Blackness & the Universe curated by Key Jo Lee, the gathering invites our audience to excavate how we can reimagine Blackness not as fixed or earthbound, but as infinite – expansive, unknowable, and cosmically rich. The exhibition asks: What if we approached Blackness with the same wonder we bring to the universe? What if, like a black hole or distant star, Blackness could be a site of mystery, power, and transformation?
Keynote Speaker is Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein, theoretical cosmologist at the University of New Hampshire, and participating UNBOUND artists include Michi Meko, Oasa DuVerney, and Rodney Ewing. Activations and exhibition tours at MoAD featuring Stephanie Parker, Reyna Brown, Keisha Jones, and Olivia Bendich.
ENGAGE! Art, Blackness & the Universe is co-presented by Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) and California College of the Arts (CCA), in collaboration with UC Berkeley's Department of African American and African Diaspora Studies.
Thursday, May 28, 5:45pm-8:00pm (at MoAD)
Included with purchase of single-day and two-day tickets.
5:45pm-6:30pm
VIP Experience
Meet the panelists, includes signed copy of the book
6:30pm-7:30pm
Book Launch with Leigh Raiford, Sadie Barnette, & Key Jo Lee
When Home Is a Photograph: Blackness and Belonging in the World by Leigh Raiford
7:30pm-8:00pm
Light Reception + Book Signing
Friday, May 29, 9:30am-7:00pm (at MoAD)
Each attendee selects one of three workshops to participate in: Figure Drawing Session, Movement Workshop, Orishas Workshop. You should have already chosen one of the workshops when you purchased your ticket.
Ongoing throughout the day:
Tarot/Astrology Readings
Harp in the Gallery with Maya Nixon
9:30am-12:00pm
Figure Drawing Session
Limited space available
12:00pm-12:30pm
UNBOUND Exhibition Tour
Techno-Cyborgian
12:00pm-1:00pm
Nia Healing Dance with Stephanie Parker
Limited space available
1:00pm-2:00pm
Lunch Break
Lunch is not provided, but we will share a directory of restaurants in the neighborhood
2:00pm-2:30pm
UNBOUND Exhibition Tour
Geo-Cartographic
3:00pm-3:30pm
UNBOUND Exhibition Tour
Religio-Mythic
4:00pm-5:00pm
A Seat at the Feet of the Orisha with Reyna Brown
Limited space available
4:00pm-5:00pm
VIP Experience Artist engagement with Oasa DuVerney, Rodney Ewing, and Michi Meko
Artist engagement and champagne toast
5:00pm-7:00pm
DJ + Reception
End of day reception on Friday
Saturday, May 30, 10:00am-5:30pm (at CCA)
Saturday's events will be at the California College of the Arts, a private nonprofit institution based in San Francisco that offers interdisciplinary programs in art, design, architecture, and writing. Founded in 1907, CCA is known for its hands-on, studio-based approach that blends theory and practice, preparing students to become innovative makers and creative leaders. With a strong emphasis on social and environmental responsibility, the college fosters collaboration, experimentation, and community engagement, equipping students to shape culture and address real-world challenges through creative work. MoAD is honored to partner with CCA for this event!
10:00am-10:30am
Coffee and Check-in
Welcome!
10:30am-11:00am
Welcome from Monetta White, Jacqueline Francis, and Key Jo Lee
Opening remarks, priority seating for VIP Experience
11:00am-12:30pm
Writing Toward Infinitude: Reflections on Blackness, Art and UNBOUND
Graduate Student Panel, moderated by Dr. Jacqueline Francis
12:30pm-1:30pm
Lunch Break (lunch provided for all)
VIP Experience includes special luncheon with artists and Dr. Prescod-Weinstein
1:30pm-3:00pm
Artist Panel with Oasa DuVerney, Michi Meko, Rodney Ewing, and Delphine Fawundu moderated by Cornelia Stokes
Artist panel and Q&A
3:00pm-3:15pm
Break
Planned short break
3:15pm-4:30pm
Keynote Speaker Dr. Chanda Prescod-Weinstein
Keynote speech with Dr. Prescod-Weinstein
4:30pm-5:30pm
Networking happy hour
Mingling and happy hour at the end of the day