Black Superheroes: From the Comic Book Universe to the College Campus

This month-long campus celebration explores representations, the cultural significance and development of black superheroes in the public consciousness. In this collection, the graphic narratives are recognized for their contributions to the still growing racial awareness in the United States. The gallery show includes the seminal black comic book superheroes such as Black Panther, Black Lightning, Storm, Luke Cage, Blade, the Falcon, Nubia, and others, and celebrates black superheroes as a powerful source of racial meaning and imagination in American history. Scholars such as Dr. Sheena Howard (editor of Black Comics: Politics of Race and Representation) and Dr. Jeffrey Brown will join the URI community to open discussion about the academic implications and the rhetorical force of the genre. URI’s Dr. Norman Barber will present “College Norms,” a project that transformed black comics into powerful adjustment and counseling tools for students of color in predominantly white environments. In their radiance and heroic fortitude, these figures dispel racial assumptions and help shape social and political perspective and black identity. The exhibition aims to spark dialogue on issues such as equality, forgiveness, community, and racial justice.

Gallery Coordinator: Bob Dilworth, Professor Art and Art History

Curatorial Researcher: Clarissa J. Walker, URI Instructor and Doctoral Candidate

Design Artist: Ian Wells, Graphic Designer

Design Artist: Krzysztof Mathews, URI Design Instructor

Project Assistant: Afton O’Neal, ’16 TMD

Project Assistant: Jillian Eddy, ’16, Theater