We Are Warriors (WAW) launched on January 26, 2022, intentionally subverting the day’s contentious legacy and reclaiming it for Indigenous Australians. The Indigenous-owned social enterprise spotlights Blak excellence so the next generation can see it to be it. Quickly gaining momentum, a year later, we were asked to create an event to bring the community together and maintain the positive energy. 

We came up with an ambitious idea. A takeover of one of Sydney’s iconic museums – The Powerhouse. But we only had six weeks to make it a reality.

On January 26, 2023 the takeover was complete. Enter the Blak Powerhouse. A free, all-ages event of art, photography, music, dance, panel discussions, and premiere of WAW’s original documentary film, Through the Fire. By decolonising a historically white colonial space, we transformed one of Australia’s oldest museums into a House of Blak Power.

With more than 6,000 people walking through the doors of the Powerhouse, WAW transformed a day of sorrow into one of celebration – of the survival of Indigenous peoples in Australia, of pride and positivity in the present, of the possibilities of the future. And it succeeded. 

Blak Powerhouse became the largest attendance in Powerhouse history, and will now be held at the Powerhouse museum annually. 

An advertising equivalent value of AU$800k in media coverage, the largest attendance in Powerhouse history, over $1M in sponsorships with global partners like Adobe, Google and TikTok, now the Powerhouse museum will hold Blak Powerhouse annually. 

We Are Warriors is showing Indigenous youth what Blak excellence and strong leadership looks like. As Indigenous Blak Powerhouse attendee put it, “WAW has given us our power back.”

And this is only the beginning.

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