NBAF is a cultural compass and living archive. Explore what we’re reading, hearing, seeing, and creating below.
Cebo Campbell
Our bookshelf pick this month is Sky Full of Elephants by Cebo Campbell, a visionary debut novel that re-imagines America through the lens of speculative fiction while posing profound questions about race, memory, and belonging. Set in a world forever altered by the sudden disappearance of every white person in the United States, the novel follows a father and daughter on a journey across a transformed nation, exploring themes of family, identity, freedom, and the enduring search for home.
Both intimate and expansive, Campbell's storytelling balances imagination with emotional depth, inviting readers to consider not only what kind of world could exist, but what it truly means to build community within it. Thought-provoking, compassionate, and richly imagined, Sky Full of Elephants is an unforgettable read for anyone interested in bold, contemporary Black literature that challenges and inspires.
Creative AF is our monthly nod to the culture-shapers, boundary-pushers, and vision-bearers whose work makes us pause, move, and think.
Adán Bean is a spoken word poet, emcee, storyteller, and voice-over artist from Massillon, Ohio, who has called Atlanta home for more than a decade. A graduate of Morehouse College, he has become a prominent voice in the city's arts and culture scene. His honors include being selected for Emory University's 2023 Arts & Social Justice Fellowship, receiving the Serenbe Frances Focus Fellowship, delivering a TEDx talk, winning the 2017 National Poetry Slam Song Competition, and representing Atlanta at the National Poetry Slam. His creative work spans live performance, film, and music, including directing the documentary Curb Appeal, filming a Tiny Desk concert performance, and co-creating the original stage production Double Consciousness.
As one half of the hip-hop duo The Remnant, Adán has released multiple projects and toured nationally, while also developing his solo work, including the EP QUIETand its lead single, "Field.Hand.Writing." Beyond the stage, he has served as editor-in-chief of Janelle Monáe's Wondaland.com and the culture publication Forth District, and hosted The SetList podcast. His work has been featured in collaboration with organizations and brands including TEDx, Habitat for Humanity, Coca-Cola, Delta Air Lines, Sony Music Group, Def Jam, Cash Money Records, CarMax, Cricket Wireless, and Change.org.
Obama Presidential Center Museum
The Obama Presidential Center Museum is a place for reflection, learning, and civic engagement that explores the lives and leadership of President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama while inviting visitors to consider the broader ideals of democracy, community, and public service. Through immersive exhibitions, multimedia experiences, personal stories, and historic artifacts, the museum traces President Obama's journey from community organizer to the nation's 44th president, connecting pivotal moments in his life to the enduring work of civic participation and social progress.
More than a museum of presidential history, the Obama Presidential Center Museum serves as a living civic institution that encourages visitors to see themselves as active participants in shaping their communities. As part of the larger Obama Presidential Center, it brings together history, education, and public dialogue to inspire leadership, collaboration, and collective action, demonstrating how the lessons of the past can help build a more inclusive future.
📍 Chicago, IL
https://www.obama.org/visit/museum
As Summer peeks in, we are reminded of family. Whenever family gathered there was always good music, food, conversation and lots of love. Enjoy our “Kin” playlist which blends a little of the past with the present, just like at the family cookout.
