Publicis Groupe and Jonathan Akwue Launch Digital Platform BLACKAF

Global communications network Publicis Groupe and Jonathan Akwue have announced a brand-new digital platform created to address the lack of Black representation in the creative industry. BLACKAF launches this week and is committed to finding and showcasing the best in Black British art. The launch is supported by Grammy nominated producer Nana Rogues, known for his work on Drake’s Passionfruit single.

On December 1st a search begins to find 35 Black British artists and illustrators to be featured on the platform. To be considered for inclusion, creators will submit their work to BLACK AF between December 1st, 2022, and January 1st, 2023.

Entries will then be judged by a panel with names including Samuel Mensah, London based creative and ambassador for D&AD and Design Week; Ciara Phelan, co-founder and creative director of illustration agency Grand Matter; Nene Parsotam, creative director/art director at Amazon Prime Video; Michelle Matherson, creative diversity partner, Commissioning at BBC; Joanne Hippolyte, associate creative director, Publicis Sapient and EMBRACE; Paul Reid, head of the International Slavery Museum and founder of Disrupt Space, and Jonathan Akwue, president and global media lead at Publicis Groupe and co-founder of DECODED.

The launch of the platform is part of an industry wide initiative to address the historic lack of representation of Black artists in contemporary art. Nana Rogues says, “I really do believe there’s so much amazing art coming from Black creators that people don’t get to see because of the lack of representation in the space. That’s why movements like this are so important to me; giving artists the platforms they need and deserve – I’m excited to be a part of it. I’ve been a massive fan of graphic novels for so long, I’m glad I’m able to support and lend my voice.”

As well as being featured on the digital platform, the 35 chosen artists will also have their work printed in the DECODED graphic novel. The DECODED story began life over 25 years ago when it was co-created by Jonathan Akwue and Alan Mitchell, who passed away in 2016 before they could complete it. “The original story was ahead of its time, but it wasn’t finished” says Jonathan. “When I started searching on social media, I discovered a wealth of untapped Black creative talent. I knew I had to find a way to showcase these artists and bring them to a wider audience. With Black Panther: Wakanda Forever wowing audiences globally, it feels like the perfect time to do this.”

The relaunch will be a continuation of the original serialized Afro-futurist adventure, illustrated by emerging and established Black illustrators & artists and featuring the chosen 35 artists in an anthology. 

To mark the opening of submissions, an exhibition will be held at Turnmills in London on December 1st. The event is an opportunity for artists to be inspired by pieces from other Black artists as they work on their submissions. Sponsored by Publicis Sapient, the event will showcase creations from Disrupt Space – a Brixton based artist’s collective representing emerging Black contemporary artists.

Additional support has come from organisations including Meta, Google, BBC, TATE, Agents for Change, Black Equity Organisation, Kugali Media and the International Slavery Museum.

Other agencies such as FanBytes, ENGINE, and Vine Creatives are also backing the initiative and lending support. “The response has been overwhelmingly positive,” says Rianna Stevenson from Publicis Media & EMBRACE UK. “Everybody wants to create something that really makes a difference by showcasing the best Black artists and illustrators; making them the real superheroes.”