About The Future Is Black
The Future Is Black began not as a formal initiative, but as a heartfelt celebration. In a room filled with laughter, art, and the vibrant energy of friends and collaborators, founder Ahmed Tacumba Turner Jr. realized that what started as his birthday party could be the seed of something much greater. That night wasn’t just a gathering it was a testament to the creativity, resilience, and brilliance inherent in Black culture.
From this spark, The Future Is Black was born: a dynamic platform committed to empowering underrepresented creatives, amplifying their voices, and transforming cultural narratives. Guided by our mission to catalyze artistic expression and foster a profound sense of belonging, we have created an inclusive ecosystem rooted in joy, healing, remembrance, critical thought, and connectivity.
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Our founder's story
Ahmed Tacumba Turner Jr. is a multidisciplinary curator, photographer, and community organizer working at the intersection of arts curation and social change in Pittsburgh. As Founder and Creative Director of The Future Is Black since 2019, he has produced 10 major exhibitions featuring 200+ Artists at venues ranging from grassroots spaces like Bloom Craft Theater to institutional partnerships with August Wilson African American Cultural Center and Brewhouse Arts.
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Tacumba's curatorial practice is rooted in Afro-futurism and community-centered design, creating platforms that celebrate Black joy, healing, and cultural transformation. His exhibitions have consistently drawn audiences of 100+ attendees and distributed over $10,000 in direct artist stipends, demonstrating his commitment to equitable compensation and artist sustainability.
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Before founding The Future Is Black, Tacumba spent eight years in urban agriculture and community development work. As a Teaching Artist with the Hazelwood Youth Media Justice Program, he taught photography and visual storytelling to high school students, creating project-based learning experiences that culminated in community exhibitions documenting environmental justice narratives.
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Tacumba's work has been recognized with the John Kingston Food Sovereignty Award (2021), Breakout Change Maker Award (2022), and Transformative Leader Award from the Equity Impact Center (2024). He brings authentic community roots and lived experience to his curatorial work, building trust-based relationships with artists often marginalized by traditional arts institutions.
OUR MISSION
Supporting artists
The Future Is Black is dedicated to providing a platform for artists to thrive, express themselves, and contribute to the Afro-futuristic movement.
Community Building
The movement fosters a community that rejects societal norms, embraces authenticity, and encourages individuals to express themselves freely.
Event Curation
Throughout the calendar year, we curate events focused on Joy, Healing, Remembering, Critical Thought, and Connectivity, providing diverse experiences for the BIPOC community.
vision statement
The Future Is Black envisions a transformative and inclusive ecosystem, curating resources to amplify local BIPOC voices. Our goal is to inspire a world where all artists thrive, celebrate diversity, and contribute uniquely to the cultural tapestry of the art community.
We are committed to building a legacy that transcends time, shaping a more equitable and vibrant global community where creativity flourishes and diversity is embraced.