Blacktivism In the Academy 6.10 Candace Hall and Charles H.F. Davis on Imagined Futures
Nov 20, 2025
In this discussion, Charles H.F. Davis III, a scholar and filmmaker, and Candace Hall, an educator and creative director, dive into their ambitious Imagine Futures project. They explore innovative storytelling methods and the importance of visibility for Black faculty in academia. The guests share powerful reactions from the documentary premiere, emphasizing emotional connections and community involvement. They also reflect on creating spaces that celebrate Blackness and foster agency, highlighting a vision for a more inclusive future in higher education.
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Multimodal Speculation As Research
- The Imagine Futures Project uses speculative and multimodal methods to imagine Black faculty futures through storytelling and visual practice.
- Candace Hall and Charles H.F. Davis III expanded the project beyond academia into music and community collaborations.
Premiere Felt Different In Community
- Watching the film in community changed its meaning for Candace compared with watching it alone at home.
- Audience laughter and sobbing made the work feel different and more communal for her.
Premiere Like A Dissertation Defense
- Charles compared the premiere to a dissertation defense, feeling high-stakes and nervous about how the work would land.
- He found watching audience reactions and sitting near friends comforting and revealing.