Digital Diaspora: Past, Present & Future

Event Overview

📅 Date & Time: Wednesday, October 22nd, 2025 | 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM
📍 Location: Urban MBA EdTech Hub, 3 Wenlock Street, London
⏰ Duration: 3 Hours

What You'll Experience

🎨 Hands-On AI Art Creation

• Learn to use cutting-edge generative AI tools
• Create unique digital artworks inspired by iconic African figures (Marcus Garvey, Bob Marley, Olive Morris, and more)
• Take home printed copies of your original creations

🏛️ Cultural Exploration

• Discover the rich African Diaspora heritage in Hackney
• Explore how technology intersects with Black history and identity
• Engage in meaningful dialogue about culture, location, and belonging

🤖 Future Conversations

• Examine AI's role in preserving and evolving cultural narratives
• Discuss the future of creativity in digital spaces
• Connect heritage with emerging technologies

Meet Your Facilitators

Antonio Amado | Roney Fraser-Munroe | Sonya Blanche Vassell | Kofi Oppong

Our expert team comprises artists, technologists, and cultural practitioners who specialise in African Diaspora art, AI-driven creativity, and community engagement.

Workshop Journey

Phase 1: Foundation (6:00 PM - 6:45 PM)

• Welcome and introductions
• Overview of African Diaspora art and contemporary culture
• Introduction to AI tools and creative possibilities

Phase 2: Exploration (6:45 PM - 7:30 PM)

• Deep dive into Hackney's Black heritage and stories
• Examine works by featured artists
• Understanding the intersection of technology and identity

Phase 3: Creation (7:30 PM - 8:30 PM)

• Hands-on AI art creation session
• Individual guidance and support
• Collaborative sharing and feedback

Phase 4: Reflection & Celebration (8:30 PM - 9:00 PM)

• Print and collect your artwork
• Group discussion and reflections
• Networking and refreshments

What You'll Gain

✅ Knowledge & Insight

• Understanding of African Diaspora creativity and cultural movements
• Awareness of Hackney's significant Black history
• Exposure to contemporary AI art practices

✅ Practical Skills

• Experience with generative AI tools
• Digital art creation techniques
• Creative problem-solving approaches

✅ Tangible Outcomes

• Original digital artwork to take home
• Educational Micro Credit certificate
• Network connections with like-minded creatives

Extended Exhibition Experience

🏛️ "Digital Diaspora" Exhibition

Two weeks following the workshop

Space 1 - "Roots & Routes" (Entrance Gallery)
Collaborative introduction featuring both artists' work, connecting heritage with future possibilities.

Space 2 - "Hackney's Black Legacy" (Board Room Gallery)
Sonya Vassell's abstract works exploring Hackney's Black historians, architectural heritage, and Diaspora stories.

Space 3 - "Digital Futures & Resistance" (EdTech Innovation Hub)
Roney Fraser-Munroe's Afrofuturist digital-punk aesthetics examining AI revolution and African Diaspora agency.

Post-Event Opportunities

🌐 Online Exhibition - Featuring workshop outcomes and artist works
🎙️ Podcast Series - In-depth conversations with featured artists
📱 LinkedIn Campaign - Ongoing storytelling about the creative journey
🤝 Community Platform - Continued support for local Black artists and creatives

Workshop Requirements

What We Provide

• All AI software and technical equipment
• High-quality printing of your digital artwork
• Refreshments and networking opportunities
• Expert guidance and support throughout
• Micro Credit certification

What to Bring

• Your creativity and curiosity
• Openness to new technologies and ideas
• Stories and perspectives to share
  

Registration & Access

This workshop is designed to be accessible and inspiring for participants of all technical backgrounds. No prior AI or digital art experience required.

Community Focus: Proudly supporting UK Black History Month with an event that celebrates both heritage and innovation.

Why This Matters

In an era where AI is reshaping creativity, it's crucial that diverse voices lead these conversations. This workshop creates space for the African Diaspora community to explore, create, and claim agency in digital futures while honoring the rich heritage that shapes our present.

Join us for an evening where past wisdom meets future possibility, where technology serves culture, and where every participant leaves as both creator and curator of their own digital legacy.

"The future of culture is not something that happens to us—it's something we actively create."