Meta Launches New VR Experiences Exploring Black History and Afrofuturism

Meta is launching a first-of-its-kind virtual reality experience honoring Black history and Afrofuturism. Open for public entry and exploration from Feb. 22 through the end of Black History Month, the immersive VR World titled “I Am a Man” was created by emerging Black VR artist Gabe Gault, and explores his interpretation of Afrofuturism, offering a moving interpretation of 1960s Black history, with nods to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, “I Am a Man” activists, and the Tuskegee Airmen.

Gabe joins Meta as its first-ever virtual reality Artist in Residence and is available for interviews to discuss bringing his creative vision to life and embedding Black culture into the future of the metaverse.

The “I Am a Man” experience marks the first moment from Meta’s new Metaverse Culture Series, a year-long virtual reality initiative designed to create a more accessible entry point into the future of tech for historically excluded communities through unique VR experiences and conversations. As part of the series, Meta also brought together Black thought leaders including Jay Ellis (HBO’s “Insecure”), award-winning creator Danielle Young, and more for a dynamic roundtable discussion which surfaced ideas for creating, and ensuring a seat at the table for diverse thought leaders as the tech industry builds towards the metaverse.

About the Metaverse Culture Series:

The Metaverse Culture Series is a first-of-its-kind virtual reality initiative dedicated to driving representation, equity, and culture into the fabric of the metaverse. For this year-long, immersive experience, Meta is bringing together thought leaders and creators from historically excluded communities to discuss – and inform – Meta’s AR and VR technologies and the future path towards an inclusive and equitable metaverse. Meta is also partnering with diverse artists throughout the year, commissioning custom Worlds steeped in creativity and culture that will be available for public exploration.

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Tags: afrofuturism, black history, Danielle Young, Gabe Gault, META, Metaverse Culture Series, VR

About the Author

Dr. Jerry Doby Editor-in-Chief of The Hype Magazine, Media and SEO Consultant, Journalist, Ph.D. and retired combat vet. 2023 recipient of The President's Lifetime Achievement Award. Partner at THM Media Group. Member of the U.S. Department of Arts and Culture, the United States Press Agency and ForbesBLK.